An animal-lover’s guide to careers

A passion for animals can lead to far more careers than many people realize. Aurora University's human-animal studies major prepares students for jobs in animal health and science, animal welfare, and professions centered around the human-animal bond. Through interdisciplinary coursework in animal behavior, animal welfare, animal science, human psychology, communication, ethics, and human-animal interaction - combined with a required internship - you can gain the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to pursue a variety of rewarding animal-related careers.

Careers in animal health and science

Becoming a veterinarian is often one of the first career paths that comes to mind, and it's a rewarding option for students interested in diagnosing animal illnesses, performing surgeries, and improving animal health. Those planning to attend veterinary school can pair their human-animal studies major with AU's pre-veterinary program. But if you're not planning to attend veterinary school, which requires four additional years of education after a bachelor's degree, or you're interested in a different way of working with animals, there are many other careers in animal health and science worth exploring.

If you're fascinated by wildlife and the natural world, consider a career as a zoologist or wildlife biologist. These professionals study animals in captivity and in the wild, conduct field research, analyze animal behavior, and contribute to conservation efforts. Zoologists and wildlife biologists may also study how environmental changes affect animal populations, helping inform conservation and wildlife management decisions. They often work for government agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, and zoos.

Careers in animal welfare and advocacy

If you want to protect animals and your community, consider becoming an animal control officer. You'll respond to calls involving stray, neglected, or injured animals, enforce local ordinances, promote public safety, and educate community members about responsible animal care. If this career appeals to you, pairing human-animal studies with a criminal justice major or minor is beneficial.

If your interest in animals and science coincides with a passion for justice, a career in animal forensics may be a good fit. These professionals apply scientific techniques to support legal investigations involving animals, from analyzing tissues for toxins to using genetics or other biological evidence to answer forensic questions. If animal forensics interests you, pairing your human-animal studies major with a double major or minor in biology or chemistry can provide a strong scientific foundation that prepares you for direct entry into the field, expands your career opportunities, and strengthens your graduate school prospects. A supplemental major or minor in criminal justice can also deepen your understanding of the legal and investigative aspects of forensics.

The nonprofit sector also offers a wide range of opportunities to improve animal welfare. Animal-focused organizations often provide services such as animal care, adoption, humane education, disaster response, and advocacy, creating career opportunities in numerous areas, from direct animal care and program coordination to community outreach, fundraising, communications, and organizational leadership. Human-animal studies students interested in nonprofit leadership may benefit from a double major in business administration or political science and public policy.

If you're interested in shaping laws and public policy related to animals, you may pursue a career as an animal law attorney or policy advocate. These professionals work to strengthen animal welfare legislation, influence public policy, and advocate for the protection of animals through the legal system and legislative process. Many students interested in law or policy will enroll in the pre-law program at AU and also pair their human-animal studies major with criminal justice or political science and public policy.

Careers centered on the human-animal bond

A passion for understanding why animals behave the way they do can lead to a career as an animal trainer or behaviorist. These professionals help animals learn new behaviors, improve their well-being, and strengthen their relationships with people. They assess animal behavior, develop behavior modification plans, educate pet owners, and work in a variety of settings, from private training businesses and service animal organizations to zoos, schools, law enforcement agencies, and wildlife facilities.

Animal-assisted therapy is a growing area within counseling and healthcare that incorporates animals into therapeutic settings to support clients' mental, emotional, and physical well-being. If becoming a counselor interests you, consider pairing human-animal studies with psychology or social work, or therapeutic recreation. Becoming a licensed therapist requires graduate school and professional licensure.

Another rewarding option is becoming a recreation therapist. These individuals design activities that promote physical, emotional, social, and cognitive well-being for individuals recovering from illness or injury or living with disabilities. If you're interested in incorporating animals into recreational therapeutic programs, pairing human-animal studies with AU's therapeutic recreation major can help you better understand animal behavior, welfare, and the human-animal relationship. Together, these areas of study can prepare you to thoughtfully integrate animal-assisted interventions into recreation therapy and other wellness settings.

Sources:

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
https://www.avma.org/
https://www.nacanet.org/
https://www.humaneworld.org/en
https://www.aspca.org/
https://aldf.org/project/courtroom-animal-advocate-program-illinois/
https://iaabc.org/en/
https://petpartners.org/
https://www.atra-online.com/