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Careers with Animals
- 1. Careers in Dog Behavior
- 2. Resources in Animal Related Careers
- 3. What is a Veterinary Behaviorist?
- 4. What is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist?
- 5. On Board with the Beagle Brigade
- 6. Humane Law Enforcement
- 7. Careers with Animals - Job Descriptions
- 8. So You Want to Work with Animals? A Guide for Youth Who Love Animals
- 9. Urban Life to Agricultural Farmers
Careers in Animal Behavior - Resources
Jacque Lynn Schultz, ASPCA, Director, Special Projects
Jacque Lynn Schultz's article ">"Information, Please!" in the Spring 1998 issue of ASPCA Animal Watch explains that:
A Trainer learns his or her craft through apprenticing, assisting in group classes, volunteering at animal shelters, attending seminars, and working with as many dogs as possible. While thousands of people call themselves trainers, this is an unlicensed profession in most states, so quality and methodology vary tremendously.
Canine Trainers offer group classes, private lessons, or board-and-train sessions. All manner of canine etiquette and dog sports are taught in group classes. Private lessons are best for solving in-home problems or for obedience instruction when owners have erratic schedules. Board-and-train allows someone else to train the dog without owner supervision. For this to be effective, the caretakers must be brought up to speed on what the dog was taught and how, as well as how to reinforce it.
Applied Animal Behaviorists have an advanced degree in animal behavior and may also be certified by the Animal Behavior Society. They are far fewer in number than trainers. As of spring 1998, there were only 29 certified behaviorists in North America. They work with the client's veterinarian to rule out any physical causes for behavior problems, and treatment can include drug therapy. The field is well suited for solving severe fears and phobias, obsessive/compulsive disorders, and aggression.
Veterinary Behaviorists are the newest members of the problem-solving triad, as the specialty just became available for board certification by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Behavior College in 1995. These professionals may perform the diagnostic tests needed to rule out physical sources for a problem behavior (or, more likely, refer you to your own veterinarian) and then recommend appropriate behavior modification techniques, coupled with nutritional and drug therapies, if needed.
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
Victoria Voith
5129 Scarsdale "D"
Dayton, OH 45440
avasabe@yahoo.com
www.avma.org/avsab
Animal Behavior Society
Stephen Zawistowski, Ph.D.
ASPCA
New York, NY 10128
212-876-7700
stevez@aspca.org
www.animalbehavior.org
Association of Pet Dog Trainers
66 Morris Ave, Suite 2A
Springfiled, NJ 07081
800-PET-DOGS
www.apdt.com
Courtesy of
ASPCA
424 East 92nd St.
New York, NY 10128-6804
(212) 876-7700
www.aspca.org
Next in
How You Can Help Pets: Careers with Animals:
What is an Applied Animal Behaviourist?
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