Play is very rewarding, but working with dolphins is not all fun and games. A lot of work goes into caring for these animals.
Training marine mammals takes patience, skill, and an understanding of animal behavior.
Trainers share an intimate relationship with every animal under their care, spending hours a day swimming, feeding, and creating a healthy, happy environment for the animals.
Development of those skills begins years before the first enchanting swim.
Generally, there are three things the Aquarium looks for in marine mammal trainers:
- education
- experience
- a positive attitude.
Education
A bachelor’s degree in biology or animal psychology is often the first requirement for anyone hoping to work with animals at a zoo or aquarium.
Courses in all aspects of science, from chemistry to ecology, from genetics to computer science, help the cause along.
Liberal arts courses are valuable too, because communication and writing skills are essential to this field. Public speaking skills will serve you well when presenting to the public and interacting with your team.
Experience
Any experience working with animals can develop communications skills that will be with you for a lifetime. Begin looking for opportunities while in high school or college.
Consider volunteering at an aquarium, a zoo, or a nature center. Apply for work at a pet store or a veterinary office.
The Aquarium’s Student Summer Program trains high school students to serve as exhibit guides. Although there is no hands-on animal work involved, especially hard-working students have been rewarded with internships that led to full-time dolphin trainer positions.
Attitude
While the job may seem glamorous to outsiders, parts of it are tedious. Animals and exhibits must be kept clean. Reports and paperwork are daily demands.
A positive attitude will take you far. Trainers are team players who must mesh schedules and activities with other trainers. And it can take an endless supply of patience to care for and train dolphins.
