Holistic Animal Care Careers: Career Outlook for the Holistic Animal Care Professions
Holistic animal care is a field best suited for people who love animals and wish to relieve their suffering. Animal nutritionists work with animals of all types to ensure a balanced and good-tasting diet. Animal massage therapists work with all kinds of animals to relieve muscle tension and ensure peak performance. Animal behaviorists study the behavior of animals and why animals respond to the environment in certain ways.
Animal Nutritionist Overview and Career Outlook
An animal nutritionist has a clear understanding of animal behavior, chemistry, economics, biochemistry, and food processing. They often work with a specific population, such as large or small animals, whether they are farm animals, zoo animals, or pets. A bachelor's degree is required for entry-level positions, according to Purdue University, www.agriculture.purdue.edu. The job outlook for an animal nutritionist is expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations in the decade 2006-2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov.
Animal Massage Therapists Overview and Career Outlook
Increasingly, animal and pet massage is being recognized as beneficial to animals. This occupation is gaining popularity in both the canine and equine markets. Animal massage therapists would benefit by joining the International Association of Animal Massage Therapists (IAAMT), www.iaamt.com, which has strict guidelines for animal massage therapy. Equissage, www.equissage.com, offers certification programs for animal massage therapists. Many animal massage therapists work for top trainers and owners of race horses, ensuring that the animal is in top performance condition. Most animal massage therapists work by appointment only, and they can expect to make between $40 and $70 per 40-50 minute session, according to Equissage.
Animal Behaviorists Overview and Career Outlook
Animal behaviorists study animals and their reactions to the environment. Through a method of study called Tinbergen's four questions, an animal behaviorist works to determine why an animal behaves as it does, what the triggers are that cause the behavior, how the behavior evolved over time and what purpose the behavior serves, according to Wheaton College, www.wheatoncollege.edu, in Massachusetts. Animal behaviorists must have a strong educational background, with a doctorate typically preferred. Animal behaviorists can expect to earn $35,000 to $90,000 per year or more, according to the University of Minnesota - Duluth,www.d.umn.edu.
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