Animal care specialists provide care and companionship for pets and animals. They bathe, groom, train, feed, and exercise animals. They also play with the animals and provide companionship. To become an animal care specialist, you need a combination of hands on training and specialized education.

How to Become an Animal Care Specialist

Animal care specialist degree programs can provide the basic skills you need to work in places like a veterinarian's office or animal shelter. During your course of study, you will learn skills such as:

• Understanding basic animal needs
• How to keep medical records for animals
• How to administer vaccinations under the supervision of a vet tech or veterinarian
• Grooming and bathing animals
• Exercising animals
• Monitoring animal behaviors

Online classes are also available through local community colleges or vocational schools. Your online coursework can provide supplemental education in the basic study of canines, theory of animals, animal safety, and obedience cues. Although your formal education can provide animal care basics, you also need hands-on training to become proficient in the field. On-the-job training at a veterinarian's office or other setting can provide that experience. For extra, specialized training, consider taking a workshop through the Humane Society of the United States, the American Humane Association, or the National Animal Control Association. The workshops feature topics, like animal cruelty, appropriate methods of euthanasia for shelter animals, and proper guidelines for capturing animals. Most careers as an animal care specialist do not require certifications or licenses, but, employers usually prefer candidates who have a degree in Animal Care combined with a lot of experience working with animals.