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Animal Care is a career field that gives people the opportunity to care for animals’ mental and physical health, as well as caring for any grooming needs.
A career in this field can be highly varied. You may be looking after large animals, such as horses, or choose to look after smaller household pets, like cats and dogs. As you typically won’t be administering important medical care, this is an accessible career for those who care about the wellbeing of animals in a non-medical environment.
A career in Animal Care suits those who have grown up around animals or have any background in an academic field that is related to animal biology or psychology. After becoming qualified in this area, learners can start their careers in a wide range of roles. Roles as an Animal Technician, Dog Handler, Horse Groomer, Kennel Worker, or even Zookeeper can be options you consider after completing a relevant Animal Care course.
For those wanting to start a career in Animal Care, having patience with animals, excellent communication skills, and good organisational skills is important. You’ll be interacting with customers on a daily basis, and you’ll need to ensure high standards of customer service are provided.
If you’re looking for work in an Animal Care setting, employers will typically prefer candidates with a background in Animal welfare or those who have a qualification in this area. Hands-on work experience through a work placement or any time spent shadowing an animal care assistant, either at a veterinary clinic, pet shop, or other setting, can be useful before embarking on a career in the animal care industry.
Those who have spent time working with animals in roles related to animal husbandry or spent time working in a dog grooming salon may already have some relevant knowledge about animal care and health and safety.
Learners in Ireland should look for animal care courses that include modules on looking after animals and give an overview of grooming, animal science, and animal behaviour. Some courses may specialise in specific areas, such as dog or pet training, animal nutrition, or animal grooming.
Although knowledge of animal anatomy and physiology isn’t always necessary, it can be important when using emergency first aid. Knowledge in this area can also be helpful for those who want to go into a more advanced career in animal healthcare and explore roles in veterinary nursing, such as a veterinary assistant, a pet care specialist, or a explore career in zoology with further education.
When searching for courses, it’s good to examine the course content and see what suits your career goals the most. Some courses may have different entry requirements beyond leaving certificate level.
When thinking about the suitability of course delivery, part-time online learning and distance learning can be beneficial for those who live away from cities like Dublin or Cork. Online courses can be done at your own pace, which is good for those who need to fit their higher education around other commitments.
For other learners, full-time, in-person courses may be preferred. In either case, learners can explore payment plans that ensure that they can comfortably afford course fees. Some courses can be completed at your own pace and can be done during different periods of the academic year.
