What would be a career path for someone who is considering a career in animal therapy or training?

Hello Teal,
Great name by the way. Hello I found an animal training college that also includes animal behaviors. From what I gather both are included in one programs the therapy of an animal along with the training both are the whole approach to that animal. When we deal with any living being there are different methods we use as well as approaches, in this case you will learn all about the animals. If you decide that this is your major you will find that both areas and more are inclusive in the program, the major always includes temperament of any animal such as depression, aggression.
Now, at most shelters they have like a ten step process to test an animal’s temperament for placement because they do not want an aggressive beast going into a child’s home, however in my opinion is not reliable because the animal is locked in a cage there for the animal behavior becomes unreliable kind of a cross contamination if you will, because the animals is not going to be the usual self that the animal was at home or whatever this animal is not happy to be locked up in a tiny cell for no reason other than he exist. I cannot say I blame them for wanting to be aggressive in a kennel situation. A kennel is a place that an animal has a nose for great senses, that very sense of smell of the other animals are being euthanized daily in our shelters scares the poor creatures. Animals have feeling because they are equipped with a central nervous system. Dog’s cats have a great sense of smell so I am sure they can smell what is happening to other furry friends. I am an animal activist, so I can go on all day on this subject. However, back to your career path that is most important right now. Choosing a good animal trainer college is essential because you want to get all the benefits that you possibly can receive in case you decide to further your career in animal veterinarian or medicine or assistant or a general receptionist or animal vet tech. If I myself were going to go into training animals it would be service animals, for police, blind, disabled, other departments that use dogs to sniff out drugs and even bomb sniffing or suspect or even cadaver dogs, trail animals and so on. I would look for an accredited school so you will have not just a certification, a Grade point average, a degree, so you can do other things that include animal handling. This is not an easy job. Just to house break a dog is a task. There is much work put into training dogs, cats forget about it. Laughing. However I have three cats here one that actually talks and tells me off sometimes if I am on the computer too long another that nips my fingers when typing too quickly she quickly turns this into a game of cat and hand mouse. Trying to interrupt the keystroke, Cats are given a bad reputation that is completely myth, you will find all of these things out in college about behavior of animals how the function and the anatomy of our furry friends. . I think this would be fun for you and very rewarding. I would love to have a job that paid me to work with the animals. If you need a list of schools in your area please don’t hesitate to respond back to Career village for a search of some great colleges that offer this type of major for you. I hope this has helped you in your search. The college includes grooming and such however I would really look elsewhere this is just a guide for you so you can read about some behaviors and what some of the colleges teach in addition to the animal handler or trainer. This college is probably not accredited either, Just a guide. If you want I can do a college search for you or anyone here at Career Village can. Thanks for the Question.
www.animalbehaviorcollege.com