Animal Trainers Go Back to List Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or assisting persons with disabilities. Accustom animals to human voice and contact; and condition animals to respond to commands. Train animals according to prescribed standards for show or competition. May train animals to carry pack loads or work as part of pack team.

Technology used in this occupation:
	Project management software

Tasks
	Observe animals' physical conditions to detect illness or unhealthy conditions requiring medical care.
	Cue or signal animals during performances.
	Administer prescribed medications to animals.
	Evaluate animals to determine their temperaments, abilities, or aptitude for training.
	Feed or exercise animals or provide other general care, such as cleaning or maintaining holding or performance areas.
	Talk to or interact with animals to familiarize them to human voices or contact.
	Keep records documenting animal health, diet, or behavior.
	Advise animal owners regarding the purchase of specific animals.
	Instruct jockeys in handling specific horses during races.
	Train horses or other equines for riding, harness, show, racing, or other work, using knowledge of breed characteristics, training methods, performance standards, and the peculiarities of each animal.

Skills
	Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
	Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Knowledge
	Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
	Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
	Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
	Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
	Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
	Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
	Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
	Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Search for Jobs on Connecticut's Labor Exchange (CTJOBcentral)
	(Please note that some searches may not produce any results.)

Education & Training   Education:   These occupations usually require a high school diploma.   Related Experience:   Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

View Related Programs on Connecticut's Education & Training ConneCTion site.

Browse Through a List of Businesses That Employ People With Your Same Skills
	Potential Employer Search

Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $56,190.00 $27.02  $15.26  $15.77 - $28.61  Bridgeport/Stamford $56,692.00 $27.26  $16.15  $17.39 - $30.20  Danbury $53,076.00 $25.52  $14.39  $15.04 - $28.42  Hartford $60,068.00 $28.88  $15.23  $15.34 - $33.70  New Haven $58,124.00 $27.95  $15.74  $16.40 - $31.00  New London/Norwich $47,055.00 $22.62  $15.06  $16.72 - $24.84  Torrington $44,975.00 $21.63  $14.01  $13.91 - $24.96

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   83   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow much faster than average, but the number of annual openings will offer good or favorable job opportunities.

Related Occupations
	Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians
	Transportation Attendants, Except Flight Attendants
	Bakers
	Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks
	First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers
	Retail Salespersons
	First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers
	Animal Control Workers
	First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
	Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.