Animal Trainers

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People love animals, and animals are even more lovable when they're well-trained. Professional animal trainers teach animals new behaviors, whether it's for a search and rescue operation, therapeutic horseback riding, performances, or simply training a puppy not to jump up onto visitors. Birds, monkeys, and most often, dogs, may be trained to assist individuals who are deaf, blind or mobility-impaired. Trainers use different techniques, but the simplest is rewarding the correct action with food or praise. A love of animals may lead you to this field, but patience and good communication are essential, as is the willingness to handle the unglamorous care and upkeep of animals. The work can be physically strenuous, especially with large animals. Entry into this field may be through vocational training programs or apprenticeships. The more exotic jobs in venues such as movies or TV, zoos and research facilities may require a bachelor’s degree and specialized skills such as SCUBA diving. The pay is generally low -- many trainers also find work at kennels, stables and grooming services to supplement their income.