So today I took the first concrete step towards my future. Hubs and I invested in my future, and put a down payment on my continued education. Only it has little to do with the degrees I already have. But it is for something I’ve always enjoyed, and that is working with animals. As soon as the enrollment process is completed, I’ll be starting coursework with the Animal Behavior College to become a certified dog trainer. But I don’t want to work at the local Pet Smart teaching people’s ill-mannered pets to behave (though no disrespect if that’s your passion!) I’d eventually like to work with animals that help people– chiefly service dogs or police dogs.
Service animals are no longer just seeing eye dogs. Animals of all species are now being utilized for all types of disabilities, both physical and mental. Cats, dogs, monkeys, ferrets, goats, and even pigs are being used as companions to physically disabled people, people with agoraphobia and other anxiety disorders, and even bipolar disorder. To me this exemplifies a more holistic and harmonious turn in the treatment of many severe and often debilitating health problems. Simply put, I love how animals and the bonds they forge with their humans can help surmount even the toughest challenges and just make people happier.
Then there are the police dogs, the bomb sniffing dogs, the cadaver sniffing dogs, the war dogs… These dogs truly are service dogs, and they are heroes!
And I definitely want to be a part of this. I love animals… People, meh… I don’t care for people as a whole, although I do generally like being around people on a more individual level. I have a lot of interests in my life– art, writing, music, forensics, sports, horseback riding, my family… It’s hard to give time to everything in my life that I enjoy, and even harder– for me– to settle on a career path, but I think this is something that can make me happy…
Which in the end is more important to me at the end of the day than any other considerations like money or prestige.
Related articles
- A War Vet’s Best Friend: Cutting PTSD Service Dogs (psychologytoday.com)
alienredqueen 
What a fabulous decision you’ve made! Do hope you’ll share your experiences during the course – we’d be delighted to follow your journey.
Thanks! And I certainly will share the journey!
We really do look forward to it!
Reblogged this on cftc10.
Very proud of you, and yes, a bit jealous! I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.
😀 Thanks! And I know what you mean about not knowing what you want to be. This is really my first step in a new commitment!
Actually, you’ve inspired me to look into it over here. I’d prefer big cats, but that required a zoology degree in the USA and I couldn’t afford it after a year. Will see if I can climb aboard?
Oooh. I like big cats too… But I bet that is harder to get into.
Just passing the inspiration along! 😀
So HAPPY you’re going to it!
Thanks, D!
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