Working With Animals - From Alternative Veterinary Medicine to Dog Walking Jobs

There are many creative animal-related jobs, some requiring artistic backgrounds, and others requiring special expertise or education. But no matter the career, what sets creative animal-related careers apart from the rest is the ability to think outside the box and take a "normal" animal-related job and come up with a way to specialize to the point that you either offer something beyond your competition, or you're doing something that allows you to tap into both your practical and artistic sides.

For example, while regular veterinary practices are grounded solely in science and medicine, alternative veterinary medicine allows for a more holistic approach and focuses not only on a specific animal, but also on that animal's lifestyle, and focus not only on the diagnosis, but also on the cause of the illness in question. To specialize in alternative pet medicine requires more study than that required to become a licensed veterinarian, because one must also be well versed in holistic medicine. Alternative medicine veterinarians often use acupuncture and herbs to treat and maintain health in their patients, where traditional veterinary medicine would most likely rely on medication. Most alternative medicine veterinarians focus on diet as both the cause and effect of various illnesses. They also often look to homeopathy to help relieve stress in their patients. Some also employ animal chiropractic as a means to assist in quality of life in the animals they treat. The American Holistic Veterinary Medicine Association and the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy are organizations that offer education and support to those in this field.

Another creative animal-related career is that of the animal behaviorist, who focuses on what animals think and feel in relation to their behavior to create assumptions about animals and their specific behaviors in certain situations. Much like psychologists for people, animal behaviorists must not only understand animals biologically and physiologically, but also often work in research to gain more experience they can then apply to their own work. Animal behaviorists are often employed by rescue organizations to assess the adoptability of specific animals, in zoos and theme parks to determine how captivity affects various animals, or in academia, research, in government or even as animal trainers or consultants. Most animal behaviorists have an educational foundation in biology, microbiology or ecology, with a concentration in applied animal behavior, or a degree in psychology and minor in biology or zoology, or a concentration in animal behavior. The Animal Behavior Society certifies animal behaviorists, and veterinarians can also specialize in animal behavior.

Animal physical therapy is another creative medical avenue, as animal physical therapists focus on surgery and injury recovery and chronic pain and arthritis. This career requires a master's degree in physical therapy with an emphasis on animals, as well as the passing of a state licensing exam to practice physical therapy.

Animal trainers, which are required to understand animals physically and mentally, can be employed in various industries including television, theme parks, and civil service. Although dog training is the most common career choice in this field, there are also those who focus on training horses, cats, birds, etc., which requires specific breed knowledge and certification for career advancement.

Dog walking/running is a great creative animal-related career choice for someone who is physically fit and enjoys working outside rain or shine, as well as loves dogs. While this job only specifically requires a business license, it's best to gain experience volunteering at a local shelter to learn the inns and outs of the job. While some dog walkers focus only on the actual walking of the dog, others may go so far as to offer additional services including pet sitting, basic washing and/or grooming, training (if qualified), play time, feeding or administering medications (when necessary).

In the "show" world, there are two creative career choices. The first is a pet handler, who can also find employment in rescue work, bomb or drug sniffing, or police training (all of which require specialized training on the part of the handler). Show animal handlers are often hired by an animal's owner much like a beauty pageant consultant, to take care of the show animal from start to finish in the hopes of being crowned. Any pet handling career requires extensive breed expertise and animal handling experience. Sometimes, handlers go on to become show judges, who are required to know breed standards of whichever breed(s) they judge, as well as a license from the American Kennel Club.

Those with a knack for making things with their hands might find a successful career in making pet products such as leashes, collars, toys, clothes and beds. And for those with a great eye, pet photography is a creative choice, and requires extensive photography knowledge and experience, as well as an obvious affinity for the subject matter.

Lastly, for those with starts in their eyes, Hollywood is teeming with creative animal-related careers. From animal-related reality shows to educational programming, animal television shows (and films) require people both in front of and behind the camera.

So whether you're looking for a creative science-based, animal-related career, along the lines of alternative veterinary medicine, animal behavior, or animal physical therapy, or more physically-demanding careers such as training, handling, dog walking/running, or the coveted show title of judge, or the arts-based pet photography or pet product making, there are plenty of creative animal-related career options to choose from.