CAREER PROJECT
GUST 1270, SPRING, 2011
WORKING WITH ANIMALS
By: Joe Johnson
For: Dr. Gary H. Wanamaker
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INTRODUCTION
Animals, mostly in the form of pets, have always been a part of my life. Growing up, my
family had an array of pets: dogs, cats, birds, and guinea pigs. Whether as pets, as food,
for hunting, or just plain holding our fascination (“Lions, and tiger, and bears, …!”),
animals are an important part of our lives, and I have decided, a particularly important
part of my own. It has been suggested we might not have developed our civilization
without the help of domesticated dogs, and even, perhaps, that ,“Animals make us
human.” (Grandin, 2009). So long as I enjoy them so much, and since they have such
profound effect on humans, why not go the extra step and look into a career related to
animals? I’m not sure yet the area I will enter, or how I am going to get there, but I do
know that there is a lot of opportunity out there and the area is growing faster than a St.
Bernard pup!
1.
Why did you choose this particular career?
Ans: As mentioned above, I’ve always had America’s typical involvement with
animals. We have pets, hunt and fish, eat them, farm them, and watch those that we can
not see in person in documentaries, at the zoo, on TV, on the internet, and in movies.
Over the last 20 years I have studied the kinship we have to all other animals, and the eye
opening, and sometimes startling sentient and cognitive abilities we share with them.
About two years ago, I took some volunteer training at the SPCA. Working with the
other volunteers and watching the public interact with potential pets made me even more
aware of our connections to these (usually) four-legged creatures. But working with the
dogs themselves gave me an even deeper appreciation of just how attuned they are to
human beings and how much we should mean to each other.
As I write the answer to this question, there is a thunder storm. My dog, shifting between
her hiding place in the closet and the livingroom where I am busy on the computer, looks
at me, wines, as if to say, “Make the thunder and rain go away…get away from that
computer, and help me!” She lays on the floor shivering, but she would rather be by me
than in her safe place under a rack of shirts in my closet. How can anyone miss the
connection?
I hope to retire in the next few years from my current position and as I ponder my next
career, I am thinking that I should move into an area that really satisfies, inspires, and
challenges me: working with animals. I hope that the research I do for this Career Project
will help me narrow my options.
2.
What personality characteristics are likely required for this career? How does
you own personality match/not match?
Ans: According to both the online career tool, Kuder (2011), and the Occupation
Outlook Handbook (2010-2011), some of the characteristics suggested for professions
involving animals are patience, dependability, concentration, not being afraid of hard
work, both physical and mental, and an ability to work with a variety of people. The last
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was suggested because most animals have owners, some very demanding, and to deal
with any animal, you have to please its owner. From the personality profile I took in
Cornerstone (Sherfield, 2011), I am an ISTJ. Many of my personality characteristics
match up to the requirements. Although, I have to admit that I have a lot more patience
with animals than I do with some people (who I think should know better.) I’ll work on
further developing that aspect of my personality.
3.
What education/training is required for this career? What is your plan for
achieving this education/training? Be as specific as you can.
Ans: Careers with animals span the possibility from dog walker to Veterinarian. Some
of the positions require little or no formal training, while others require a B.S., an M.S.
or, in the case of a Veterinarian, a Doctorate (Occupation Outlook Handbook, 20102011). A possible way to get started would be the Associates Degree in Animal
Technology, a two year program, offered at the Northwest College of Houston
Community College (Houston Community College Catalog 2010-2011).
4.
What skills do you currently possess that will be helpful in this career?
Which skills do you think you will have to work the hardest to develop?
Ans Some of the skills that seem to be mentioned often in different articles and books
I’ve read on the topic are not to have fear of various types of animals, being confident
handling them, calming scared or injured animals, and the patience required to train them
(Kuder, 2011; Horowitz, 2009). I currently volunteer with the SPCA (which I hope will
be helpful on my resume) and have found myself in a variety of situations with
domesticated animals. I handle them well, and when a new dog is brought in to the
facility, I have usually succeeded in calming the animal (which can be highly stressed)
and getting them to respond. I do shy away from aggressive animals (don’t want to get
bit), but I am working on this as any injured or scared animal may be aggressive out of
fear.
5.
What is the outlook for this career? In terms of salary? Positions available?
Future possibilities?
Ans: People in the U.S. spend approximately two billions (yes BILLION) dollars a year
on their pets (not to mention farm animals) (Ward, 2010)! This amount is only likely to
grow in the future (Occupation Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011), possibly as much as
20% in the next decade. The salaries range from anywhere between $18,000 a year for a
dog groomer or walker, to $100,000+ for Veterinarians. As this will be a post-retirement
career for me, I will not be looking as much at the salary as I will be at the demands the
career will make on my time and energy, and its ability to satisfy my interests.
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6.
What do you think that you will like the most about this career? What do you
expect that you will like the least?
Ans: Any service I can offer animals is a plus to me. Also, it would be very satisfying to
supply such facilities as hospitals and retirement homes with animals, which have been
proven to make such confinement more positive. It would also give me a great sense of
accomplishment to help provide SAR and guide or service dogs for people in need. But,
in any case, it would be great to get paid for working with animals, especially dogs, who
give so much and ask so little in return.
I will have difficulty seeing animals that are sick or who have been injured. It is
particularly hard to deal with those people who have deliberately harmed or mistreated
any animal. As I said earlier, animals may not, but human being should know better. I
think it will also be difficult to let go of an animal that I have spent a lot of time with
either in the healing, care, or training processes (like some of my students!).
7.
In relation to your career, where do you see yourself in five year? In 10
years? Be as specific as you can in a BRIEF plan.
Ans: As this may be the last career of my life, I am not sure that I will be looking to
progress “up the ladder” in any position I take. I suspect that after I have worked with
the animals for awhile, I may have to retire full time (everybody wears out!). But, as
long as they’ll have me, I will continue to do volunteer work, and will always, as long as
I am able, have pets of my own.
CONCLUSION
Several, and the thunderstorm, have passed. My dog is not longer afraid and looking for
protection, as a matter of fact she is begging to go outside and doesn’t seem to understand
that I have to finish this project. But when she has to go, she has to go! I guess dogs a
lot like people. I still am not sure what specific area I will enter for a profession. But I
am still pretty sure that it will involve service to animals (probably dogs). I will have to
get some further training and education, but I guess that will be true no matter what I go
in to. Maybe I’ll open a doggie spa. I should probably go and get a massage myself, I do
my best thinking when I’m relaxed.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Akerhoff, Gearoge A. Robert J. Shiller. Animal Spirits. Princeton: Princeton
University Press, 2009. Print.
Cameron, W. Bruce. A Dog’s Purpose. New York: Forge, 2010. Print.
Charleson, Susannah. Scent of the Missing. New York: First Mariner Books,
2011. Print.
Coren, Stanley. Why Does My Dog Act That Way? New York: Free Press,
2006. Print.
De Waal, Frans. Frans Lanting. Bonobo, The Forgotten Ape. London:
University of California Press, 1996. Print.
De Waal, Frans. Our Inner Ape. New York: Penguin Group, 2006. Print
Grandin, Temple. Animals Make Us Human. New York: First Mariner
Books, 2009. Print.
Grandin, Temple. Catherine Johnson. Animals in Translation. Orlando:
Harcourt,
2005. Print.
Horowitz, Alexandra. Inside of a Dog. New York: Scribner, 2009. Print.
Kerasote, Ted. Merle’s Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog. Orlando:
Harcourt, 2007. Print.
Occupation Outlook Handbook. Department of Labor: 2010-2011. March
10, 2011. Web.
Sherfield, Robert, M. Patricia G. Moody. Cornerstone, Creating Success
Through Positive Change. 6th Ed. Boston: Pearson Publishing, 2011.
Print.
Stein, Garth. The Art of Racing in the Rain. New York: HarperCollins,
2008. Print.
Ward, Ernie, D.V.M. Chow Hounds, Deerfield Beach: Health
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Communications, Inc. 2008. Print.
Wright, Robert. The Moral Animal. Toronto: Pantheon, 1994. Print.
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INTERVIEW
Person Interviewed:
Bruno Griffiths
Position:
Owner/Operator, A Dog’s Life, Houston, TX
Phone:
832/961-7997
Time in position:
7+ years
1. How did you get the idea for a dog day care and spa?
Well, I figured people like being taken care of at spas. Why not their pets? The pets
certainly don’t argue about it, at least not usually.
2. How has that worked out?
Well, we’re into our seventh year of business. I have expanded the facility, added one
full-time employee and two part-time ones. We served over 2500 animals last year, most
of them repeat business.
3. Where did you get the idea of the spa part of your business?
I used to be an animal technician in a veterinary clinic, I also walked and dog-sat on the
side for extra money. I took a course in dog massage. I was surprised how many of the
dog owners whose dog’s I walked were into the idea of not just grooming but dog
massage. I also took some training in the care of obese (yes there is a problem with dog
obesity) dogs and dog’s recovering from injuries and sickness who required therapy. My
side business started taking up as much time as my regular job as an animal tech. I
thought why not start my own business?
4. What kind of education/training are required for the operation of a doggie care
center?
Actually none! I have to be licensed as a business owner, but there are no “Doggie Spa”
degrees. Fortunately, I did get an Associate Degree in business from Houston
Community College and I has to get a certificate (in those days) in order to be an Animal
Technologist with the vet clinic. I did, on my own get training in several animal
specialties, such as dog massage, and I did an internship with a therapist to learn about
animal nutrition and therapy for injured and obese dogs. I keep all of my degrees and
certificates posted for clients to see. People seem more concerned about their pets, than
they do about their kids. Ha! Ha!
5. Why dogs, I mean, isn’t there more money in similar people care?
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Sure, but dogs are easier to get along with. Ha! Ha! Although you do get an ornery dog
now and then. But they usually come around. I grew up on a ranch in West Texas. I
grew up around animals. We not only raised beef cattle, but always had a variety of
dogs, cats and other animals around. It only seemed natural that I would go into work
with animals later. This is a lot easier than ranching!
6. What is the most rewarding part of your work?
I love the animals, especially dogs. They are so appreciative of whatever you do for
them. And I guess I like the idea the I perform a pretty valuable service. Not only do
you help animals, but their owners are usually very concerned when they have to board
and animal, or get it cared for otherwise. I also like it when my wife, whose a grade
school teacher, brings her class in to learn about dogs. Kids really like watching and
playing with dogs. And dogs usually enjoy it too. Kids get a little carried away but the
dogs put up with it better than I do.
7. Are there any drawbacks?
It is pretty much a 7 day a week job! I mean people leave their dogs with you on the
weekend and you have to be there to take care of them. It helps that I have some pretty
good employees. We take turns on weekends, but I’m pretty much responsible when the
place closes up at night. I guess you could say it is a 24-hour-a-day job too. We live up
front, but are always close enough that we can respond to any commotion. Dog owners
can sometimes be demanding too. As I said earlier, some of them seem to care as much
about their dogs as they do their kids.
8. Is there any advice you would give someone considering this business
Well, first off, open up on another side of town! Ha! Ha! Actually, I guess, other than
the obvious, that you really have to like working in close quarters with animals, you had
better have some background in running a business and dealing with the public. That is
where the real work comes in.
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