HELPING TEACHERS INSPIRE COMPASSION FOR ANIMALS, PEOPLE & THE ENVIRONMENT

Classroom Resources

Careers in Animal Health & Welfare

Activities that encourage students to explore various animal-related careers

1. Careers Working with Animals

Veterinarians are not the only people who work with animals. If you have students with a passion for a career promoting animal health and wellbeing, there are many different options open to them.

In small groups, have students brainstorm a list of all the jobs that involve working with animals

You can provide the following categories to help them to expand their list:

  • Animal Health
  • Companion Animals
  • Livestock and Horses
  • Wildlife
  • Law Enforcement
  • Research and Education
  • Office Support

Animal Health

  • Animal Health Technologist
  • Veterinarian (general practice, large animal, companion animal)
  • Veterinary Medical Receptionist
  • Veterinary Administrative Assistant

Livestock and Horses

  • Farmer
  • Farrier
  • Stable Operator
  • Horse Trainer
  • Meat Inspector
  • Riding Instructor
  • Herder
  • Certified Exercise Rider

Law Enforcement

  • Animal Control Officer
  • Animal Protection Officer
  • Conservation Officer
  • Brand Inspector
  • Canine Unit Officer

 

Research and Education

  • Veterinary Medicine Professor

 

Companion Animals

  • Groomer
  • Trainer/Behaviour Specialist
  • Pet Store Employee
  • Animal Breeder
  • Pet Sitter
  • Kennel Manager
  • Service Dog Trainer
  • Animal Care Attendant
  • Dog Walker
  • Pet Photographer
  • Dog Daycare Operator/Employee
  • Animal Shelter Manager

Wildlife

  • Animal Trainer
  • Animal Handler
  • Wildlife Biologist
  • Park Naturalist
  • Conservation Officer
  • Zoo Keeper
  • Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist
  • Park Naturalist
  • Animal Welfare Scientist
  • Animal Care Specialist
  • Humane Education Specialist
  • Laboratory Animal Attendant
  • Zoologist
  • Biologist

 

Office Support

  • Humane Society Fundraiser
  • Volunteer Manager
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Receptionist
  • Administrative Assistant

2. Career Research

Ask students to pick one career dealing with animal health or animal welfare. Students then conduct research into the details of the job as well as focusing on the education or training required for that career.

ALIS, the Alberta Learning Information Service, has great career resources.

3. Job Shadow

After sharing information on the many types of careers that involve animals, students can contact someone that works in a field of interest and set up a job shadow. Students will then have the opportunity to get a glimpse of what the job would be like on a day to day basis.

Job shadows are great ways to motivate and excite students. If a job shadow is not feasible, student may set up an interview instead.

Curriculum Connections

Grade 7
  • L-7.6 examine factors that may influence future life role/education/career plans
Grade 8
  • L-8.6 investigate, interpret and evaluate career information and opportunities, using a variety of sources
Grade 9
  • L-9.6 Develop strategies to deal with transitional experiences

C4. develop strategies to deal with the transition from senior high school to post-secondary education/training and/or the world of work

  • Use the community in a search for information and expertise
  • Analyze the career paths of others

C5. develop a quality career portfolio

  • Assess a wide range of career possibilities
  • Build a personal occupational profile, including information gathered while envisioning possible futures, examining future employment trends and researching possible career choices

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