Working with animals

You love animals, right? But could you work with them? See if you have what it takes with our look at five jobs that involve working with all creatures great and small. 


Veterinary surgeon
A veterinary surgeon, or vet for short, diagnoses and treats the injuries and illnesses of animals. It’s not just household pets - vets also help horses, zoo animals and farm animals get better!
What you need: Qualifications! To be a vet, you need to pass a five-year course at a veterinary school. To get a place, you need three ‘As’ at A-levels, including chemistry and one or two of  biology, physics and maths. Phew - better start studying! Find out more at www.rcvs.org.uk
Also think about: Veterinary nurse - who give assistance to vets during operations.
 

RSPCA Inspector
The Royal Society for the Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals has more than 300 inspectors in England and Wales who carry out more than 17,000 animal rescues each year. You have to complete an RSPCA 12-month training course to become an RSPCA inspector.
What you need: A minimum of five GCSEs, a driving licence and be pretty fit. Contact the RSPCA at www.rspca.org.uk
Also think about: A Guide Dog trainer or puppy walker for the Guide Dog for the Blind Association.


Police dog handler
Dogs are used for a variety of roles in the police force from crowd control to tracking suspects and sniffing out explosives. Police dog handlers must have a genuine love for animals as their four-legged partner will live, work and play with their two-legged owner for around nine years' service.
What your need: Dog handlers will have completed two years as a police officer. Only then can they apply to the dog unit for a trial course with a police dog. To find out more, go to www.police-information.co.uk
Also think about: A dog handler for the National Search and Rescue Dog Association - providing vital support to mountain rescue operations.


Riding school instructor
It you love being on horseback, what better career than teaching others how to enjoy horse riding? Most riding schools like their instructors to have formal qualifications and The British Horse Society is a good place to start finding out about working with horses.
What you need: A real love of horses and, of course, the ability to ride them too! The British Horse Society runs a training scheme for riding instructors the most common being the BHSAI. Contact The British Horse Society at www.bhs.org.uk
Also think about: A stable groom or a mounted police officer.

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