Animals and people have worked together for thousands of years. While many people see little or nothing of live animals, aside from the family pet, animals play many roles in our society and there are many jobs associated with animals that you can learn as a member of the U.S. military.Service dog and horse handlers, livestock managers and veterinarians are just a few of the jobs you can learn through the military. Working with animals in the military can also train you to work as a USDA food inspector. The demand for these skills continues to grow as more is learned about the effectiveness of animals as companions, service animals, even medical examiners.
Dogs Are More Than Man’s Best Friend
Dogs are commonly associated with protecting property and herding livestock. These skills are still valid and still in demand. As our cities become more crowded and the population ages, dogs are proving once again that they are valuable friends and helpers. Dogs are used to sniff out bed bugs in fancy hotels, they chase unwanted geese from public parks and they have demonstrated the ability to signal when they sense a person is about to have a seizure or if they come in contact with someone who has certain forms of cancer.
U.S. Customs and the DEA use dogs specially trained to seek out drugs, guns, bombs, stowaways and other illegal imports. Rescue groups use dogs to find lost hikers, natural disaster and kidnap victims. The need for service dogs, which are specially trained to provide assistance to individuals unable to perform simple tasks such as turning on lights, picking things up from the floor or pushing a crosswalk button, is steadily increasing. As a professional dog handler, your choice of careers can take you anywhere.
Giddy-up And Get Better
Anyone who has ever ridden a horse knows the hypnotic effect the rhythmic gate can have. These gentle giants have been used for formal funerals and parades for hundreds of years. Their adaptability makes them useful on farms, ranches, in remote areas and in places where gasoline simply cannot be brought in.
Horses also serve a therapeutic service for individuals with a wide variety of ailments. Autistic children and adults show noticeable improvement in their interactions with people after riding a horse. People who tend to be overly emotional benefit from this experience, as well. As a skilled horse trainer, you can work in a variety of jobs, all thanks to the military.
Sanitation And Animal Medicine
Anyone who has a pet or livestock knows just how expensive the services of a licensed veterinarian can be. As a member of the U.S. military, you have the option to get paid and receive benefits all while attending veterinary school. The military uses dogs and horses for a number of applications and they need good veterinarians to care for these valuable animals.
Animal husbandry and sanitation, with regards to working animals and food animals is the source of countless job opportunities. The U.S. military is prepared to train you at their expense, all while providing you and your family with an income, a home, utilities, full benefits and a retirement plan. Clearly, this can be a great opportunity for many. For more information about a career working with animals, click HERE.
Photo courtesy of Army.mil
