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Like most people who’ve held down any kind of job, you likely already have experience working with monkeys (of the human variety). And that’s probably inspired you to find a career that lets you work with real animals instead.

But when it comes to animal-related careers, many people immediately think of veterinarians. Being a veterinarian is a great option—if you can make the large investment of time—and money—necessary for becoming licensed.

If not, just ask yourself what you enjoy doing most.

Perhaps you love pampering your family pets. Maybe you enjoy teaching them new tricks or even participating in events like dog competitions. Or maybe your calling really is to help sick and injured animals if only you could combine doing that with your interest in business.

Here are some great animal career options that don’t require a ton of training:

A Cut and Set…for Your Pet

Spend your days helping furry friends look and feel their best.

Be a master of the clippers. Ensure a poodle is competition ready. Make it easier for a bouvier to deal with the summer heat.

Become an expert at dog and cat breeds. Be a pro at spotting skin and other health conditions that sometimes go unnoticed by pet owners.

 Work in a pet store, grooming salon or even your own business as a pet groomer. Most pet grooming programs can be completed in as little as six months.

Fetch an Active Career

Sit. Lay down. Roll over! These are so basic and boring. Dogs are capable of much more. Help them reach their full potential.

Teach dogs to become well-socialized, obedient members of the family. Train them to help police conduct search and rescue operations or seek out narcotics. Help dogs become caring assistants to people with disabilities such as blindness.

Be a whiz at signals and voice commands. Be an expert at dog behavior, their instincts and forms of communication. Get dogs to respond to you by using repetition and positive reinforcement like praise, affection, treats and toys.

As a dog obedience trainer, you can be in business for yourself. Most dog obedience programs take less than a year to complete.

Put Your Compassion to Work

Help and heal animals, without the long education.

Assist veterinarians during surgical procedures and post-operative care. Administer medications. Prepare lab samples.

Become skilled in animal radiography, nutrition and dentistry. Have a chance at understanding disease and injury so you can help perform comprehensive examinations of dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and other animals—even wildlife.

Work as an animal control specialist, veterinary assistant, veterinary technician, stable manager, pet nutritionist, animal caretaker or humane society employee.

Most programs in vet assistance and vet technology allow you to graduate in just one year.

Mix Business with Pleasure and Puppy Play

Spend your days around animals while you attend to business.

Become a pro at helping veterinary operations run efficiently. Go beyond general office duties. Assist with common animal surgeries and post-operative care. Acquire an understanding of animal breeds, nutrition, vaccinations and pharmacology.

Work as a veterinary office manager for a veterinary clinic, animal hospital, animal daycare, animal welfare organization, wildlife shelter or boarding kennel. Most programs in veterinary office management take less than one year to complete.

Your Next Move

Pursue an animal-related career by finding a school that fits your needs. 

• Animal Care Schools & Colleges
• Dog Obedience Trainer Schools
• Pet Grooming Schools
• Veterinary Assistant Schools
• Veterinary Office Assistant Schools
• Veterinary Technician Schools