Animal Protection Degrees and Training Programs

<p>Animal protection is tricky because it is a topic that can be studied under a number of programs. The important thing for you to do is find the program that focuses most closely on the areas of animal protection you want to be involved in. Animal protection (or animal welfare) is not a program offered by colleges. It is a course or series of courses found in a number of programs. It is also an angle of study. Some colleges teach animal studies as a psychology program while others focus study on husbandry and animal protection. </p> <p>Three degree programs you can consider to learn about animal protection are animal law, humane leadership and animal policy. You should keep in mind that these programs are uncommon among the environmental programs. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degree Options</b></td><td>Animal law, humane leadership, animal policy</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Topics of Study</b></td><td>Psychology, human and animal interactions, animal usage, animal legislation, nonprofit management</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Career Options</b></td><td>Animal rights lawyer, shelter worker, veterinarian, animal advocate, animal protection educator</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td>$26,370 <i>(Animal Care and Service Workers)</i></td></tr> <tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td>22% growth <i>(Animal Care and Service Workers)</i></td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i> </p> <h3 id="section---WhatShouldIStudy">What Should I Study?</h3> <p>Animal law is usually a summer program or a couple of courses within a law program. Most of these credits can be used towards your juris doctor (JD) degree. Some of these courses reflect not only the protection laws of animals but how society decides what rights should be given. In many instances, you'll learn the psychology behind human and animal interaction and how humans perceive themselves as the top animal and other non-human animals as property. </p> <p>You'll also study entertainment usage of animals, medical usage of animals, veterinary malpractice laws, negligence caused through animals, custodial laws and cruelty laws. Programs may cover one particular type of animal while others cover all wildlife, domestic, worker and farm animals. In essence you'll learn how to defend and lobby for animals at the local, state, federal and international levels. </p> <p>In an animal policy program you'll learn about social movements, sociological implications of animals, the roles of animals in society, animal behavior and animal legislation. You'll learn the processes for policy-making. You'll study subjects such as wildlife policy, research methods, fundraising and animal ethics. </p> <p>The humane leadership program is offered by very few universities. This program's purpose is to educate you in nonprofit management, animal control, animal protection and animal care. You'll learn how to plan and implement shelter programs, animal protection education programs, put on fundraisers and research animal policies. One subject that is important for anyone in these careers is compassion fatigue. This psychology course covers how to cope with the stresses and emotional trauma of dealing with these causes and possible failures you'll encounter. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatCareersCanIConsider">What Careers Can I Consider?</h3> <p>Animal protection happens to be a versatile goal. There are many areas needed to help protect the animals, from animal rights lawyers and veterinarians to shelter builders and shelter workers. The key is to take the education you have received and enter into a role where you'll be working to protect animals of all species. </p> <p>While not all positions may seem glamorous (cleaning up animal droppings at a local kennel), each position is important. However, if you are looking for the careers your education prepares you for, you can consider jobs as an animal advocate, animal lawyer, policy-maker, animal-control officer, shelter manager or animal protection educator.</p>