Making a veterinary clinic hum takes a dedicated support staff. Vets rely on their vet assistants, vet techs, and office staff to make sure their furry patients get the quality care they need to live long, healthy lives or to provide life-saving emergency care.
Without question, the jacks of all trades in a vet clinic are the veterinary assistants, who often bounce from duty to duty in every part of the facility. They assist veterinarians and vet techs in a wide variety of ways, and they are everywhere.
At any given time, veterinarian assistants can be found in the reception area welcoming patients and making appointments, in the office filing paperwork, in an exam room helping the veterinarian calm a nervous dog, in the surgery room making sure everything is spotless and sterilized for the next patient, in the kennels checking on post-op patients, or out back walking a puppy.
One thing is certain: vet assistant jobs are never boring!
The essential work done by vet assistants helps vet practices hum along smoothly. The long list of duties a veterinary assistant may perform include:
Cleaning and sanitizing equipment
Feeding, bathing, and exercising patients
Performing basic lab work
Weighing animals
Dressing wounds
Taking vital signs
Administering certain types of medicines
Post-operative care
Disinfecting operating and exam rooms
Clerical work, such as assembling patient paperwork or billing
Animal restraint
Communicating with pet owners
For someone passionate about animals, becoming a vet assistant gives you a chance to be a vital part of a life-saving team.
Vet Assistants Enjoy High Degrees of Job Satisfaction
Vet assistants get to be around animals all the time, but the job can vary depending on where you work. Assistants in a regular veterinary clinic get to know their patients from their first visits as cute, bouncy puppies and adorable blue-eyed kittens. They watch them grow up and play a role in keeping them healthy.
Their days are a mix of routine check-ups and more critical care. While there are the inevitable sad days, the good days outnumber the bad.
Vet assistants in an animal hospital or emergency care center might find life more hectic, but saving lives feels very rewarding.
Being a vet assistant is a good way to get a feel for animal healthcare. Some enjoy veterinary care so much that they go on to pursue a veterinary technician degree, which requires at least two years.
Finding a Vet Assistant Job
With the growing number of pets in this country, there’s a corresponding growth in the number of jobs related to their care, including veterinary assistants. Job growth is projected to be 20% between 2022 and 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Almost 27,000 job openings are anticipated yearly.
This doesn’t mean it’s easy to land those jobs, though. Even though there are rarely any educational requirements besides a high school diploma or equivalent, it’s a tough field to break into if you don’t have experience working with animals or a vet assistant certificate. There are simply too many people looking for a career with animals to be able to land a job with no skills or training.
If you can, find opportunities to work with animals and get some experience. Look for opportunities to work at or volunteer in local animal shelters, wildlife rescues, boarding kennels, doggy day cares, stables, or other facilities that house animals.
Another good way to get noticed by potential employers is to earn your vet assistant certification. Becoming certified can increase your chance of landing a job faster. After all, vet practices don’t have to spend nearly as much time providing on-the-job training to hires who already know what’s expected of them.
How to Earn a Veterinary Assistant Certificate
Getting a veterinary assistant certificate is not nearly as costly or time-consuming as earning a vet tech degree. You can be certified in less than a year in a program like Animal Behavior College’s online vet assistant course.
Flexible and affordable, Animal Behavior College’s program teaches you everything you need to know in order to work as a vet assistant. It also offers invaluable real-world experience. Once the online part of the course is complete, students get the opportunity to work with a mentor in a local veterinary setting. You may be asking, is there a veterinarian near me?Call us at the number below, and we will tell you which veterinarian you may be paired with.
If you’d like to start a satisfying career working with animals, we’d love to help make that happen. Call us at 800-795-3294 to speak to an admissions counselor.
Don’t forget to visit our gift certificate page here.
A comprehensive vet assistant program provides a straight path to working in animal healthcare. If your heart is set on helping animals, becoming a veterinary assistant is a great choice.
Before making any job move, however, it pays to learn as much as you can. This guide is designed to answer questions you may have about being a vet assistant and what the position entails.
Updated 2025 Statistics & Trends in Veterinary Assisting
Competitive Compensation Across the U.S.
As of January 2025, veterinary assistants in the United States earn an average annual salary of $33,979, with hourly wages averaging $16. Salaries can vary based on location and experience; for instance, in California, the average annual salary is $37,479, while in Florida, it’s approximately $32,280.
Significant Employment Growth Projected
The demand for veterinary assistants is on the rise, with employment projected to grow 19% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by increased pet ownership and a heightened focus on pet health and wellness.
Advancements in Veterinary Training Facilities
In response to the growing need for skilled veterinary professionals, new state-of-the-art training centers have been established to support veterinary assistant education, veterinary technology, and veterinary medicine.
Clarifying Confusion Between Vet Assistants and Vet Techs
Job titles in a vet practice can get a little confusing. While most people understand that veterinarians are at the top of the professional food chain, they tend to use the titles “vet assistant” and “vet tech” interchangeably. The two are completely different jobs, however.
Veterinary technicians function more like nurses and must go to college and complete at least a two-year associate’s degree and be licensed or certified. Their duties correspond loosely to those of nurses in a human healthcare setting. Veterinary technician education is more intensive and focuses on areas like veterinary anatomy and veterinary dentistry. Vet techs are allowed to do more clinical work than vet assistants.
Veterinary assistants are best thought of as the support staff that makes the jobs of veterinarians and vet techs go more smoothly. On any given day they can be doing clerical work, welcoming patients, helping with an exam and preparing rooms. They step in where needed.
Generally speaking, a high school diploma or its equivalent is the only educational requirement for being a vet assistant. That being said, though, it’s to your advantage to look for opportunities to gain experience working with animals and to earn a veterinary assistant certificate.
What Do Vet Assistants Do?
Just because vet assistants don’t have a two-year associate’s degree doesn’t mean they are relegated to cleaning kennels and filing patient paperwork–although there can be a good bit of that.
Vet assistants can:
Check patients in and help soothe nervous patients and pet owners
Weigh animals and take vital signs
Help restrain animals while they are being examined or getting vaccines
Bathe and feed animals
Provide monitoring and care for animals in post-op
Clean and dress wounds
Take lab samples for laboratory animal testing
Give certain medications (controlled substances and painkillers may be off-limits, depending on state regulations)
Provide client education on post-treatment care and proper at-home patient management.
Vet assistants hop from duty to duty. Expect to be on your feet a lot and ready to step in wherever needed!
Depending on the practice, vet assistants may be the first to arrive in the morning to check on patients in post-operative or kennel care and make sure everything is in order for the day before the rest of the staff and the first patients arrive.
What Qualities Do the Best Vet Assistants Have?
A passion for animals and providing great veterinary care are high on the list, but as mentioned, it can be a pretty demanding job, not just physically but emotionally. Not every patient makes it. Saying “goodbye” to pets you’ve cared for throughout their lives is tough.
Communication skills are a must for vet assistants. Being a “people person” is also a plus for a couple of reasons.
You’ll be working with and supporting several other staff members in the veterinary office. Being able to work as part of a team is crucial.
There are always plenty of high-strung, worried pet owners on any given day. Empathy and good people skills are a must.
The best vet assistants are flexible and able to bounce from one task to the next with a high level of competency. Vet assistants hop from duty to duty. Expect to step in wherever needed!
Vet assistants need to be physically strong. Lifting dogs on and off exam tables is part of the job, but so is hauling heavy bags of food, bedding, kitty litter, and other supplies. Each veterinary practice should have its own physical requirements. Make sure you know what is expected of you beforehand so you can commit to the level of strength needed.
Computer skills are a definite plus. Vet assistants often perform a lot of clerical work and billing, so it helps to know your way around a Mac or PC.
Where Can Vet Assistants Work?
Besides veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and emergency care centers, vet assistants are needed by any facility that houses or cares for animals. Animal shelters and humane societies often need vet assistants, as do research labs at universities and other animal facilities.
In addition, zoos and wildlife rehabilitation centers frequently hire vet assistants, so if your interests lie more in exotic or wild animals, being a vet assistant allows you to care for more than just domesticated animals.
Vet Assistant Salary
If you are concerned about salary–and who isn’t–vet assistants earn a salary on par with many other careers that do not require a degree. Preschool teachers, receptionists, bank tellers and vet assistants all earn an average salary in the mid-$30,000 range.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites the average salary for vet assistants at over $36,000. Some roles such as animal care attendant, veterinary technician assistant, or approved veterinary assistant may offer slightly different pay scales.
How to Become a Veterinary Assistant
As indicated, a high school diploma or equivalency is all that is required by most employers. You technically can be hired as a vet assistant and get on-the-job training.
In reality, it takes a good bit of luck to land a veterinary assistant job without any more experience or credentials than a high school degree. So many people want to work with animals that you’ll be up against job candidates with animal care experience or who have completed an approved veterinary assistant program.
To improve your chances of landing a job, you might want to consider earning your veterinary assistant certificate. Earning a veterinary assistant certificate takes about a year and teaches you what you need to know to begin work in the veterinary field:
How to safely restrain animals so they can receive care
Animal first aid and CPR
How to clean and prepare exam and surgical rooms in a veterinary hospital
How to assist in surgery under a veterinary surgeon
Veterinary-specific pharmacy information
Animal nursing care
Laboratory procedures
Earning your vet assistant certificate tells potential employers you are serious about working in veterinary medicine, know what the job entails, and will need little training.
Finding a Veterinary Assistant School
Animal Behavior College has been training people for animal careers since 1997, and we offer excellent training for would-be vet assistants. Our comprehensive curriculum includes all you need to know to start working in a veterinary setting as soon as you earn your certificate.
ABC even provides real-world experience via our mentoring program known as an “externship.” Once students complete the online portion of the program, they are paired up with a nearby mentor facility to see what a real veterinary clinic is like and to practice newly learned skills.
You can enroll anytime! Just call 800-795-3294 and an admissions counselor can help get you started!
Veterinary Assistant FAQ
Q: What is the difference between a veterinary assistant and a veterinary technologist?
A: A veterinary assistant helps support staff and veterinarians with everyday tasks, while a veterinary technologist typically has a four-year degree and performs more advanced procedures.
Q: Is online veterinary assistant training available?
A: Yes! Many programs, including those from Animal Behavior College, offer online veterinary assistant training that includes hands-on externships.
Q: Can vet assistants work with farm animals or miniature horses?
A: Absolutely. Some veterinary practices and shelters focus on farm animals or offer services for miniature horses, and veterinary assistants play an important role.
Q: What are some career options after becoming a vet assistant?
A: Many vet assistants go on to become animal trainers, licensed veterinary technicians or even veterinarians. Others may work in animal husbandry, animal rescue, or become animal assisted therapists.
Q: Where can I work after completing a veterinary assistant program?
A: Veterinary assistants work in a variety of places including veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, wildlife rehabilitation centers, animal shelters, and even educational facilities focused on veterinary technology and veterinary dentistry.
If you’re passionate about animals and looking to begin a rewarding career, veterinary assisting may be the perfect path for you!
Hello everyone, and welcome to another edition of What’s Waggin!
Many good things are happening at Animal Behavior College, so let’s jump in.
First, I want to acknowledge all the pet industry companies that assist ABC. Cooperation from pet companies is a familiar thing for us. Before ABC, my first company, Animal Behavior & Training Associates (ABTA), handed every one of our students an equipment list. This list contained the items most would need to take one of our group classes or private lessons. At its peak, ABTA conducted 200+ monthly classes in 44 states and Canada. This meant many people got our equipment list each month, leading to companies wanting to know how they could get their names and products on our list. This led to immediate questions and concerns. I was only interested in products I had tried or had received consistently good customer feedback. The products on any list had to be available in the stores where we were conducting our classes. This was mainly through Petco, so handing clients a list of products they couldn’t get in the stores we were teaching in made no sense.
By the time ABTA grew to teaching classes nationally, I had already been a professional dog trainer for 16 years, so it’s not like I wasn’t familiar with a great many products; Kong and Coastal were early contributors, as was Charlee Bear and I knew from personal experience and from years of feedback that they made outstanding products. When ABTA was bought out in 2004, I no longer had any say on which products appeared on the equipment list. However, my school, Animal Behavior College, was a stand-alone company. After a few years, most of the companies I worked with for the first time rekindled their relationship with my new organization.
Cardinal made a training treat that most dogs adored called Crazy Dog Train Me Treats! They sponsored us starting in 2004. When Whitebridge acquired Cardinal, the new entity was also interested in maintaining our relationship. They have been a very supportive sponsor for years.
Andis and Wahl are both highly supportive sponsors of the college and are committed to educating the next generation of pet groomers.
Groomer’s Choice not only sends all ABC grooming students their grooming kit but has sponsored the school since 2010.
Other companies like pawTree, and Fig & Tyler are newer sponsors but equally important.
We also have a working relationship with Jodi Murphy, who offers outstanding continuing education materials for our groomer graduates.
All of these companies share many of our values. These include a desire and willingness to help pets and the people who love them live their best lives, a commitment to quality, and an understanding of the importance of education and the influence that dog trainers, pet groomers, and veterinary staff have on pet parents’ decisions about their beloved pets.
Over the decades, I have come to know many people at these companies and was not surprised to find that they are good people who again share our values and desire to help our four-legged friends.
People from all over the nation travel to Southern California to attend this course. We run it twice per year, and it takes students five and a half months to complete. The program is our DOP but condensed into an immersive experience.
Since the program is approved for Veterans until Title 38, about 80 percent of the student body comprises military veterans looking for a new career to assist their transition into civilian life. Over the years, we have had students from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines take this program. Our last graduating class featured a student who was the highest-ranking officer ever to take our program. She was a retired Admiral. Seth Hudson, an Army veteran, loves teaching this class and helping veterans and civilians learn to become professional dog trainers.
Shifting gears, I want to talk about something on many people’s minds. Inflation.
We all know what it is, and even when the inflation rates are relatively low, we all notice how our money doesn’t purchase what it used to. For example, 20 years ago, in 2004, gasoline, which saw a spike in prices that year, was selling for about $1.79 a gallon.
I moved from the East Coast to Los Angeles in 1973. My parents drove the family across the country, and I remember seeing gas prices at a scandalous 51 cents a gallon, which was unheard of at the time. I can remember gas at 26 cents a gallon, and I wonder how many readers are old enough to remember that or even less expensive gas. Inflation has always been with us, but the inflation rates of the last few years aren’t anything we’ve seen since the early 1980’s.
Moreover, even when inflation rates come down, it’s not like prices drop. If inflation is 8% in one year and drops to 5% the following 12 months, goods and services are roughly 13% more expensive than they were two years ago. If wages don’t increase at a higher rate, everyone knows what will happen. People can’t afford as many things as they need or want. We understand this, so at a time when prices are rising, we elected to drop all our main program prices to help people wishing to enter the pet industry follow their dreams.
Next, I want to thank all mentors and graduates who referred a friend to ABC. Over the last 12 months, we’ve had 158 people take our programs as a direct result of your referrals. If you don’t already know about it, please check out the information on our Refer a Friend website page here: https://v2.animalbehaviorcollege.com/refer-a-friend/
Finally, I want to give a shout-out to all the ABC students who, for almost 20 years, have contributed to students saving lives. Our website tracks the number of hours, which was 185,000, in the middle of Q4 last year. We are getting pretty darn close to 200,000 hours’ worth of volunteering at shelters and rescues all over North America. Not only does this program help shelters, but it also helps future generations of pet professionals build relationships with the rescue communities.
That’s all for now and I will talk with you again in our next edition of this newsletter. Thanks for reading.
Congratulations to Our New ABC Certified Dog Trainers, Veterinary Assistants, Pet Groomers, Cat Trainers, Aquarium Maintenance Professionals, Zookeeper Assistants and Service Dog Trainers!
June 29th, 2023 to April 30th, 2024
ABC Honor Roll Graduates
Julie Jones-Thornton
Lindsay Dillon
Teagan Merrifield
Michelle Kennedy
Sonia Zarama
Reva Ritter
Angelique Walter
Heather Pressley
Sandra Weinberger
Daneesha Jonescu
Elizabeth Coalson
Miranda Ortiz
Teresa Schaal
Traci Wilson
Brooke Catena-Rivera
Amy Fall
Christina Balcom
Ashley Downs
Theresa Berrett
Hanna Sarmina Mansfield
Kathryn DeSantis
Todd Morrison
Megan Grant
Elaine Johnson
Jennifer Tehan
Kenra Barrett
Brian Aaron
Cali Kemper
David Thomas-Kay
Savannah Collinson
Beth Norlie
Lindsey Kjar
Keith Dolge
Victoria Ruthford Brieske
Erika Rodriguez
Veronica Harris
Yuree Chong
Jasmina Rivera
Maria Best
Joleigh Hoffmann
Caitlyn Drum
Whitney Knight
Darryln Johnson
Sasha Folkner
Rebecca Karres
Ashley Kingsbury
Nicole Doty
Nicole Palmer
Anna Bonzo
Natasha Hoang
Cassidy Parker
John Barbao
Danielle Tonge
Jonathon Simas
Aiyana Johnson
Clare Harlan
Rebecca Tapia
Barbara Fields
Mackenzie Grimes
Jade Rabor
Sofia Campanario Araica
Raylene Wallace
Emily Hall
Samantha Solum
Rosetta Kelley
Cassandra Rodriguez Delgado
Alanis Magee
Laura Everett
Sigalit Cohen
Torin Fisher
Madalyn Casaletto
Elizabeth Oliver
Annabella Escobedo
Jeanne Roberts
Helena Madden Weeks
Denise Koester
Hayley Pistoni
Savanna Byington
Megan Wallendorff
Amy Cloutier
Jullianna Blanton
Cee Hazen
Jessie Santana
Nichole Reyes Lopez
Mary Cox
Sydney Steimer
Dana Scofield
Robin Johnston-Jordan
Alexa Chester
Hailey Wenrich
Kiarra Smith
Mischelle Dellen
Yoshimi Beyer
Elisa Marzilli
JoAnn Jenkins
Jennifer Breimhurst
Bonnie Choiniere
Sofia Arriaga
Susana Holloway
Jamie Buffa
Skye Knowles
Melissa Marquez
Courtney Dougherty
Breanna Grover
Matthew Bryson
Hannah Wood
Amy Nasadowski
Andrea Stangeland
Krista Bass
Marie Martin
Kimberly Aguirre Garcia
Wai Shan Cheung
Karen Ramirez Vidal
Brianna Laube
Laura Chapman
Misty Dixon
Hayley Hyams
Gretchen Lira
Alyssa Dudley
Linda Goldin
Brittany Spoutz
Babette Bolivar
Joan Long
Timothy Gordon
Kathrina Petersen
Kristen Porter
Ethan Letzer
Sarah Morgan
Thomas Sheahan
Roxana Smith
Sharon Jessop
Celeste Carrillo
Jenna Squires
Emily Miller
Caitlin Taggart
Hannah Abair
ABC Graduates
Sabrina Abdul-Raqib
Jose Acaiturri-Villa
Isabella Acuna
Johnny Adams
Cherise Addison
Tosha Adkins
Andreana Adkins
Kyle Adkins
Kimberly Affolter
Elijah Agnew
Erick Aguayo-Encina
Catherine Aguayza
Angelina Aguilar
Nicole Aguilera
Rhonda Aguilera
Alejandro Aguirre
Heidi Agustin
Cesar Agustin Jr.
Sarah Ahearn
Billie Ahrens
Elizabeth Aiello-Sundquist
Alexiss Albright
Mariana Aleman
Jade Aleman
Carrie Aleshire
Bronwen Alexander
Gracie Allen
Jean Allen
Breanna Allen
Madisyn Allen
Sonai Allmon
Melissa Almazan
Gabriel Alvarado
Jurissa Alvarez
Eduardo Alvarez
Jonathan Alvarez
Kate Amador
Serena Amaro
Behrooz Amiri
Behrooz Amiri
Shayla Anderson
Patrick Anderson
Chloe Anderson
Charisse Anderson
Alice Anderson
Alan Anderson
Malinda Angel
Sarah Anglim
Antonio Apruzzese
Kyle Arce
Luciana Arena
Nyein Arguello
Yasmin Argueta
Vanessa Armas
Hannah Armstrong
Kaitlyn Armstrong
Alexandria Arnold
Amanda Arns
Ernesto Arriaga
Jacqueline Arzate Najera
Chloe Arzuaga
Amy Aschenberg
Wilailak Ashley
Varonica Athey
Micheal Atkin
Meggan Atkins
Victoria Attaway
Kindred Atwood
Janneat Austin
Erin Ayin
Christienne Azevedo
Amiee Babineaux
Nicole Bachmann
Sarah Badman
Rebecca Bailey
Kristin Bailey
Wynema Bailey-Waterlander
Rachel Baker
Carrie Baldwin
McKayla Banks
Amber Barbera
Krista Barela
Madison Barill
Jalen Barini
Tiara Barlow
Ashley Barnett
Ashley Barrios
Camille Barrus
Nathan Barth
Clare Bartlett
Christopher Barton
Emily Barton
Desiree Barton
Kelley Jean Baskett
Amanda Bassett
Abbie Bastian
Justin Battiste
Jeanna Bauer
Eunice Baynard
Abby Bearden
Mikayla Beasley
Katie Beaton
Rachelle Beatty
Jade Bechard
Silvia Beck
Kimberly Beckwith
Allison Beil
Cassidy Bell
Chris Bell
Stephanie Bell
Sarah Bell
Christine Bellerose
Gina Bellinger
Fabian Bello Rincon
Luisa Belmontes
Alma Beltran
Madison Benner
Ashley Bennett
Christopher Benning
Rya Benson
Hailee Berg
Angel Berg
Rachel Berk
Clare Bernardo
Skyler Bernier
Allie Berryman
Amanda Berthelet
Adam Berthiaume
Allison Besay
Sydney Bess
Anderson Betances
Yoshimi Beyer
Heena Bhatt
Marissa Bianchi
Carlos Bickham
Jessica Biddeman
Tiffany Biela
Cynthia Bingaman
Julie Black
Tyler Blackburn
Danise Blair
Chad Blake
Michaela Blake
Dale Blansit
Gabrielle Bloomer
Teagan Blout
Kristin Blunt
Brittney Bly
Rachel Lynne Boeckelmann
Alexis Bogan
Paula Bogard
Tiffany Boldin
Amanda Boldt
Kelsi Bonds
Emily Bonine-King
Patricia Boone
Rachel Borcher
Luis Borda Jr
Kathleen Bordeau
Justine Borghello
Keegan Boris
Michael Borman
Millie Borre
Ritwik Bose
Brianna Bosworth
Hannah Bottoms
Caroline Bouteiller
Kayla Boutwell
Kim Bowdring
Julia Bowen
Jordan Bowie
Twilla Boyce
Lauren Boyle
Tatyanna Bradley
Jessalyn Bradley
Shandee Bradshaw
Nonya Bragg
Kristen Bramson
Amy Bramy
Luana Branco
Sarah Brandenburg
Michael Brant
Andrea Brassell
Mackhelin Braylock
Jasmine Breau
Jennifer Breimhurst
Candy Breisacher
Rebecca Brink
Victoria Brinkley
Kaitlin Brinton
Briannah Broadhurst
Monica Broadstreet
Nancy Brodesser
Reginald Brown
Shania Brown
Natasha Brown
Macy Broyles
Victoria Brozyna
Franchesca Bruni
Cristina Brusoe
Mahayla Bryant
Tiffany Bryant
Catina Bryant
Morgan Bryant
Debra Bryson
Zoe Bucko
Destiny Bundy
Dawn Bunkelman
Sierra Bunnell
Alexander Burcl
Dallas Burdick
Anthony Burns
Jenna Burrage
Alexis Burrington
Ashley Burris
Shannon Buschman
Kaycee Bush
James Butchart
Chloe Butcher
Claude Butler
Brenda Butler
Ashley Butman
Madison Button
Emily Buzinkai
Rylea Byers
Anton Byrd
Sarah Byrne
Alyssia Cabral
Amanda Cadena
Janie Calhoun
Rhonda Cambron
Liam Campbell
Nina Campbell
Bruce Cantley
Jesse Cantner Jr
Nicholas Caracciolo
Daniela Cardenas
Helga Cardona Perez
Matthew Carey
Elise Carey
Mckenzi Carmack
Adriana Carmona
Katherine Caro
Josee Caron
Chas Carr
Monya Carr
Joanna Carrasco
Kaylee Carrell
Marisol Carreno Varona
Victoria Carroll
Kelly Carroll
Hannah Carsley
Kerry Carson
Paige Cartzdafner
Katrina Caruso
Camille Caruso
Stephen Casellas
Betsy Cash
Keith Cassell
Katelynn Castillo
Jessica Castillo
Kevin Castillo Solis
Evamaria Castillo Villegas
Connie Castillo-Estrada
Caroline Caudle
Sabrina Cayabyab
Dina Ceballos
Evelyn Cervantes
Laurel Chamness
Cheyenne Charest
Chrissy Chartier
Emmeline Charvat
Dustin Chastant
Marcela Chavez
Andrew Chavez
Monique Cheffen
Celina Chesbro
Christina Cheung
Andrew Chikko
Oscar Chimal
Aarifa Chitison
Mailin Chuy-Horn
Lindsay Cirrincione
Ana Cisneros
Abigail Clark
Micah Clark
Emily Clark
Brandon Clark
Stanatasia Clark
Mary Clark
Luke Clarke
Karin Clarkson-Youmans
Anna Clayson
Savannah Clayton
Julianna Cleary
Erica Clemente
Kevyn Clemmer
Waylene Cleo Powell
Laura Cluney
Samantha Cochran
Flor Coffey
Michelle Colbert
Shianne Cole
Kaytee Cole
Max Colima
Kai Collins
Amanda Collison
Saydee Colton
Shelby Colvin Adams
Margaret Colwell
Sydney Compton
Alexsandra Conley
Edward Connerney
Jayme J Conners
Courtney Connor
Nigel Connors
Andrea Constantine
April Conte
Samuel Contreras
Jennifer Coolbaugh
Monica Cooper
Destiny Cordell
Kayla Corona
Holly Corwin
Camryn Costa
Cynthia Costa
Patrick Costello
Shelby Coulter
Judith Council
Brandy Couper
Jewel Couvrette
Lexia Cover
Nadia Cox
Michaela Cox
Malyssa Craig
Veronica Cranston
Richard Crawford
Shelagh Creatore
Kennedi Crixell
William Cross Jr
Elizabeth Crowell
Melissa Cruz
Emely Cruz
Samantha Cruz
Brittany Cubano
Jorge Cueva
Angela Cullom
Gabrielle Cummings
Kathleen Curcio
Jennifer Curry
Cyndi Curtis
Lauren Cusa
Annette Cuthbertson
Emily Cutright
Katelynn Cuzzart
Kayla Czerwin
Yessenia D’achiardi
Jennifer Daggett
Brian Dalby
Alexandrea Dallaire
Hodalis Damian
Cherish Danforth
Nevoteni Daniels
Christine Danscuk
Latrina Dasher
Tylour Daubert
Tonilynn Davenport
Christine Davidson
Alexandra Davis
Zacchaeus Davis
Charli Davis
Katherine Taylor Davis
Rebecca Davis
Ashley Davis
Destini Dawkins
Elaina Day
Emily de Jardin
Joshua De la Rosa
Johnnie Deane
Carole DeBruler
Meghan Deen
Alena Delgado
Angel Delgado
Stephanie Dellafiora
Raven DeLorenzo
Andrea DeMaria
Eric Denovan
Sadie Depinto-Jones
Anjni Desai
Dillon Destefano
Natalie Di Matteo
Nicole Diaz
Alexis Diaz
Mikendra Dickerson
Dalton Dickinson
Caroline Digby
Makenzie DiMaggio
Jennifer Dipompeo
Daniela D’Ippolito
Bettina Dirienzo
Patricia Doane
Jereck Dobladillo
Bailey Dobson
Saber Dodd
Kyleigh Doiron
Veronica Dolbey
Brandon Dominey
Zachary Donelson
Gabrielle Donnelly
Richard Dorgan
Seth Doughty
Melanie Dows
Ann Draznin
Dezirae Dreese
Cynthia Dreiband
Leah Drobkin
Roland Drummond
Kiersten Drye
Cody Dugan
Whitney Duncan
Keifer Dunklebarger
Madison Duprey
Pamela Durant
Russell Durocher
David Dutchuk
Jack Duvall
Krystal Duvall
Amanda Dvorsky
Michelle Dymond
JodiAnn Dzierzanowski
Jennifer E. Maul
Esperanza Eckroth
Yolanda Eddings
Jordyn Edgar
Courtney Edge
Amy Edgington
Erica Edwards
Antonio Edwards
Zachary Edwards
Fernando Edwards
Milea Effler
Michael Egge
Shinika El Hammond
Stephanie Elderkin
Karley Eldridge
Nora Elgohari
Debra Elliott
Ashley Elliott
Courtney Ellis
Kathleen Ellis
Amanda Ellis
Britney Ellis
Kylie Ellsworth
Bessan Elmosleh
Michelle Elwell
Clayton Emel
James Emerson Jr.
Emily Engelhaupt
Tyeisha Engman
Nicole Enochs
Jennifer Erfley
Carrie Erskine
Andy Escarreola
Katherin Escobar
Analeah Esguerra
Katherine Espinal Bonilla
Laura Espino
Ismael Esquivel
Cody Esterly
Richard Estes
Elvira Estrada Mendoza
Breanna Ethridge
Mackenzie Evans
Joshua Evans
Cheyenne Evenson
Katlyn Ewoniuk
Krista Eyre
Marissa Facko
Santa Fajardo
Naija Famble
Billie Jo Farr
Cayla Faubert
Joaquin Felix
Kassandra Felling
Tori Fenstermacher
Lorelai Fernandez
Mariam Fernandez Martinez
Sarah Ferrell
Javier Figueroa
Linda Fink
Michael Firman
Kyle Fisher
Olivia Fisher
Elizabeth Fitzpatrick
Autumn Flanagan
Leann Fleurent
Alicia Flores
Shawn Flowers
Stephen Flynn
Abraham Foley
Haley Foote
Dillon Forbes
Michelle Forbes
Laura Forbis
Derek Ford
Jackson Ford
Keziah Forgues
Kezia Fortitude
Rebekah Fortitude
Cheryl Foster
Elaine Fournier-Lemay
Bayleigh Foxwell
John Francies III
Savannah Franco
Damares Franco
Whitney Franco
Dawn Frank
Kellie Frederick
Lily Freeman
Nicholas Freeman
Kathleen Frey
Emily Frigo
Kortney Frisbie
Kasey Frost
Alex Frostick
Hannah Fruin
Raizon Fulson
Whitney Funchess
Marcus Gabriel
John Gainer
Jayla Gaines
Demeter Gala
Geoffrey Galatovich
Jennifer Galloway
J’La Galloway
Asha Galvan
Melissa Gammel
Estela Gaona
Sylvia Garcia
Leslie Garcia
Gladys Garcia
Destiny Garcia
Emily Garcia
Melanie Garcia
Sharon Garcia
Lindsay Gardner
Amya Garst
Carly Gartsman
Sarah Gates
Erin Gaughran
Vincent Gauthier
Henry Gayhardt
Arielle Genge
Christina Gengo
Brittany Gerred
Terri Gibson
Enmanuel Gil
Bethany Giles
Panagiotis Giorgi
Maria Giron
Samantha Gleave
Brooklyn Golden
Michelle Goldman
Rachel Gomez
Dayaneli Gomez
Laura Gomez
Keidy Gomez
Frank Gonzalez
Mark Gonzalez
Angela Gonzalez
Elisa Gonzalez-Melendez
Mackenzie Good
Priscilla Gordian Fontane
Andrea Gore
Kristen Gorrell
Bree Gose
Elizabeth Goudreau
Alexandra Grad
Carlie Graessle
Lillie Graham
Catherine Graham
Brodie Graham
Salvador Granado
Tashyra Grasty
Dawson Lou Graves
Pamela Gray
Madonna Gray
Athena Gray
Sophie Gray
Jennifer Gray
Callista Greene
Hazel Greene
Genavieve Griffeth
Pamela Griffin
Michael Griffis
Ingrida Grigalis
Karen Grizzle
Kaylie Gross
Shantelle Gross
Tristen Grover
Hilda Guerrero
Athalie Guerrero
Mary Guevara-Guzman
Amarilis Guilartes
Aaron Guillet
Sarah Gustafson
Javan Gutierrez-Arroyo
Elizabeth Gutierrez-Rotzin
Dinasty Guzman
Elaiza Hababag
Carmen Haber
Emily Hackett
Aura Hagan
Brandi Hagan
Ashley Halfon
Crysta Halgrimson
Aaron Hall
Greysen Hall
Victoria Hall
Kimberly Hamilton
Eilleen Hamm
Tomomi Hammon
Erin Hammond
Taylor Handlen
Jonathan Handwerk II
Christina Handy
Kaitlin Hansen
Christopher Hardy
Tanner Harootunian
Seth Harp
Brandon Harper
Jeremy Harrell
Paula Harrington
Julie Harris
Zoie Harris
Cassidy Harris
Susan Harrison
Kiara Harrison
Hannah Hart
Donna Harvell
Shon Hase
Katie Haugaard
Juliana Hausmann
Haleigh Havekost
Devlin Hawkins
Nicole Hayes
Sabrina Haywood
Louise Hazle
Macie Headley
Heaven Heath
Rochelle Heath
Amanda Hebert
Dana Hebert
Patrissa Hecht
Lauran Heiland
Kelsey Heinonen
Shaline Heltion
Dana Hendley
Melody Henkel
Camden Henley
Alyssa Hensiak
Dolly Herbert
Nigel Herbert
Allison Hercules
Ashley Hermance
Arelys Hernandez
Harold Dennis Hernandez
Joel Alberto Hernandez
Eileen Hernandez
Ashley Hernandez
Lilia Hernandez-Peters
Katelynn Herrera
Alejandro Herrera
Sierra Herring
Mya Hester
Aimee Hetterick
Lauren Hewitt
Robert Hibbert
Shirley Hickey
David Hickson
Amanda Hieb
Susan Higson
Maggie Hildebrandt
Briley Hill
Elizabeth Hill
Christine Hillson
Kyndra Hiltner
Nicole Hippeli
MaKayla Hoang
Connor Hochstetler
Briana Hoersten
Roberta Hoff
Lauren Hoffar
Josephine Hoffman
Cindy Holcombe
Ashton Holcombe
Stephany Hollatz
Alan Hollen
Hunter Holley
Hannah Holliman
Kimberly Hollingsworth
Holly Hollis
Morgan Holmer
Mykayla Holmes
Taylar Holmes
Mazz Holt
Kristina Hood
Leanna Hoople
Lindsay Hoover
Zoey Hoover
Adrianna Hoover
Tausha Hopkins
Logan Horton
Emily Horton
Michael Hosch Jr
Jamar Howard
Teri Howard
Leah Howard
Heather Howell
Kenneth Howell
Sharon Hoyos Palafox
Kelsey Huber
Emyliana Huber
Makenzie Huddleston
Nichole Hudon
Carolyn Hudson
Kayla Hudson
Alyze Huertas
Rebecca Hughes
Megan Hughes
Steven Hughes
Contessa Humble
David Hunter
Eric Hurtado
Sterling Hutchinson
Mackenzie Hyde
Brianna Hyder
Vincent Iaiennaro
Alexandra Immitt
Xavier Inglese
Teresa Ison
Robin Jackson
Amari Jackson
Pauletta Jackson
Emma Jackson
Brad Jackson
Brad Jackson
Arthur Jackson III
Krisann Jacobs
Joyce Jalomo Llamas
Justin Jamerson
Jasmine Jansen
Jasmine Jara
Alysha Jenkins
Annley Jensen
Ashley Jeong
Nancy Jimenez
Yunji Jin
Shaunya John
Ashlynd John
Christine Johnson
Mary Johnson
Kailey Johnson
Tatiana Johnson
Kimberly Johnson
Elise Johnson
Ariana Johnson
Amber Jolin
Angela Jones
Gracie Jones
Zanaya Jones
Gracie Jones
Sarah Jones
Jayson Jones
Natalie Jones
Cicely Jones
Ann Jones
Nathaniel Jones
Jennette Jones
Brandon Jonescu
Paula Jones-Johnson
Wynter Jonsson
Rhani Jordan
Karie Jordan
Wesley Jordan
Sabrina Joval
Annalie Joyce
Emily Juarez
Saray Juarez
Chelsie Justus
Amar Kaddoura
Amelia Kaluza
Douglas Karan
Krista Kates
Katherine Kaufman
Brianna Kauhn
Leanne Keator
Eleftheria Kebabjian
Brett Kelly
Sean Kelly
Kimber Kemp
Erika Kemp
Makayla Kennedy
Shannon Kerimian
Erin Kesterson
Melvin Key
Claudine Kielson
John Kiely
Kassidy Kilbarger
Laura Kilmer
Minseo Kim
Barbara Kimball
Connor Kindell
Chanel Kinery
Rebecca King
Austin Kirkland
Mallory Kiser
Heather Kislenger
Jakeisha Kitchens
Erica Kitley
Kasey Klinger
Belle Knight
Jessica Knight
Alexandra Knight
Destiny Knighton
Renee Knolle
Sara Knote
Meri Knowlton
Maria Kohn
Takira Koonce
Jessica Koontz
Mariia Kozlova
Justine Kozluk
Jazmine Krafft
Carrie Kramer
Hannah Krause
Dawn Kraynak
Cloe Krier
Tonjia Krueger
Jasmyn Krupski
Christine Kruse
Cheryl Kubista
Adriana Kuhl
Matthew Kunstmann
Tabitha Kurapati
Daria Kuttenkuler
Noelle Kuypers
Marianne Kyler
Elisa Laakso-Kantola
Tabatha Laban
Julie LaBarr
William Laberge
Dorrie LaBianca
Anna Lacey
Jessica Lachey
Myriam Lafrance
Jalyn Lageman
Nicole Lahey
Makayla Lambert
Kady Lancaster
Rose Land
Sarah Landers
Alina Lapsley
Matthew LaRiviere
Ashlie Larsen
Kelsey Latham
Elizabeth Laucis
Adam Laufer
Laurie Laughlin
Jennifer Lavelle
Diana LaVertue
Krystal Lavielle
Billie Lawrence
Deannie Lawrence
Ryan Lawrence
Tiavonna Laychaypha
Juliana Layden
Taylor Layman
Joseph Leary
Iliana Lecerf
Kimberly Lechuga
Karlee LeClair
Kyle Leclerc
Amelianna Lee
Tamerah Lee
Henri Lee
Angelina Lee
Terri LeFebvre
Melissa Leija
Kelby Leith
Christine Lemon
Marlon Leon
Diana Leon
Elizabeth Leon
Delmy Leon Reyes
Diamond Leonard
Olivia Letlow
Aimee Levieux-Elliott
Liroon Levy
Mark Lewis
Iryna Lewis
La Quita Liles
Kameo Lillibridge
Nibia Lima
Vicki Limbaugh
Nicole Linendoll
Danielle Lingenfelter
Maia Linos Hoflich
Marion Lipscomb
Kimberly Lira
Jessica Littlehale
Jennifer Littleton
Zehao Liu
Amanda Lively
Tracy Lockwood
Lee Lodestro
Raquel Loeza
Samantha Lopez
Amy Lopez
Skyla Lopez
Johenny Lopez
Zhusan Lopez
Daniela Lopez
Carmen Lopez
Tammy Lopez
Amy Lopez
Katherine Love
Emma-Lee Loveland
Derek Lovett
Erin Lowell
Caitlyn Lowery
Raheemah Lowman
Anthony Lozada
Eliana Lucas
Kayla Luchsinger
Kheiry Luciano
Aleha Luff
Zachary Luiz
Summer Lujano
Isabela Lukes
Diana Luna-Desbazielles
Amelia Lustenberger
Jessica Lyle
Keila Lyons
Jordon Lytle
Tyler Macdonald
Katherine Mack
Nicolette Madonna
Erin Madson
Karen Magallanes- Gomez
Kaytlin Magdycz
Sharon Magnuson
Princess Mahasongkham
Helen Mainolfi
Victoria Majernik
Heather Malagon
Daniela Maldonado
Cesar Maldonado
Caitlyn Maloney
Kelly Malzewski
Tammy Manka
Emma Manson
Michelle Mapes
Lea Maraman
Lea Maraman
Joceline Maranon
Bianca Marcano
Jae March
Monica Marcuse
Sesha Marion
Gena Marobella
Rylee Marquis
Alexis Marra
Jennifer Marsalis-Conrad
Kari Marshall
Taylor Martin
Megan Martin
Nichole Martin
Taylor Martin
Erica Martin
Keyshell Martin
Aida Martinez
Tammy Martinez
Devany Martinez
Eric Martinez
Kayla Martinez
Heather Martinez
Marlena Martire
Tanya D Marx
Lauri Marzoline
Ewange Masango
Holly Mascorro
Sarah Masterson
Denise Mata
Autumn Mathewson
Rachael Matthews
Amanda Matthews
Gayleen Maurer
Hope Maurin
Bobby Jo Maxwell
Kathy-Ann Mayfield
Addisun Mayrand
Allie Mays
Bridgid Mazzagatti
Savannah McAuliffe
Grant McBride
Lainey McCabe
Jenay McCants
Laureen McCart
Lauren McClary
Timothy McCloud Jr.
Brandy McCowan
John McCowen
Cortny Mccoy
Alec Mcdonald
Hunter McDonald
Chelsea McElmurry
Mitchell McGrath
Diana McGraw
Debra McGuire
Charlize McHenry
Kirby McKee
Chelsea Mclaughlin
Jaydee Mclaughlin
Alexis Mclellan
Emily Mclellan
Raymond McLinton
Jillian McMillian
Christina McMurray
James McNabb
Jahsany McNeil
Tiffany McQuien
Sara McTavish
Emily Mead
Stephanie Medved
Alexandria Meeks
Valery Mejia Ramirez
Alexis Melching
Jazmin Melendez
Lauren Mellen
Jessica Mellin
Latasha Melton
Emilie Menard
Nicole Mertlich
Corrie Messina
Madison Meyer
Megan Meyers
Jade Meza
Diamond Mihalos
Emily Milakeve
Kylea Miller
Cheryl Miller
Alyssa Miller
Angelo Miller
Jessica Miller
Shianne Miller-Hines
Amber Milligan
Nicole Mills
Rachel Mills
Katarina Milosevic
Tanee Milton
Amelie Mindel
Caileigh Minnich
Danyelle Minor
Emily Miranda-Rodriguez
Courtney Mitchell
Taramoon Mkwananzi
DeAnn Mobley
Jailene Molina
Michelle Montague
Amaris Montalvo
Erika Monteleone
Cambria Montiel
Antonie Mooiweer
Shatonne Moore
William Moore
Ashlee Moore
Omar Moore
Karina Mora
Yarisnely Morales
Jessica Morales
Jenniffer Morales
Christopher Morelock
Jaden Moretti-Leipf
Heidi Morgan
Kelcy Morgan
Faith Morgan
Jenica Mori
Carlos Moriella Torrealba
Megan Moroles
Carley Morris
Jade Morrison
Owen Morrow
Chantelle Mortenson
Sara Mudd
Kandis Mueller
Erin Mueller
Victoria Muldovan
Raylynn Mulkey
Shannon Mullaney
Yourden Mundy
Jennifer Muniz
Lourdes Munn
Raquel Munoz
Kenda Munoz
Janet Murdock Shea
Jessica Murguia
Candie Murillo
Sean Murray
Donna Murray
Merrick Myers
Nicolette Myszkowski
Richard Nadeau
Don Naffziger
Amanda Nagel
Frances Nagy
Mari Najera
Ashley Najzer
Elle Nakamura
Debbie Napier
Ariana Nash
Laney Nash
Abigail Navarette
Sitara Nayabkhil
Christina Nedbal
Chelsea Nelson
Christopher Nemes
Timothy Neri
Stephanie Newland
Marcia Newman
Jaydyn Newton
Odona Ngai
Tuan Nguyen
Donna Nguyen
Vicki Nickeson
Courtenay Nisbet
Jeanette Nolte
Mie Nomura
Jamie Norwood
Sophia Oakes
Kathleen Obrien
Alicia Ofsak
Brandy Oldham
Trinity Olivarez
Tadajah Oliver
Savannah Oliver
Ivan Olivera Vega
Harley Olsen
Mikayla Olson
Todd O’Neill
Laura Opdyke
Steven Ordonez
Sarah O’Rourke
Alenise Ortiz
Megan Osgood
Amber Ostafichuk
Luke Osthus
Kathryn O’Sullivan
La Nae Overbey
Holly Padfield
Rebecca Padgett
Elizabeth Paff
Yessaira Pagan-Colon
Cordelia Page
Daniela Pagliaro
Nathan Paisley
Lauren Paleno
Gloria Pangui
Paul Paolucci
Madeline Paradise
Valerie Parisi
Ciara Parizek
Jun Park
Siyeon Park
Tia Parmelee
Briana Parra
Katherine Parry
Teresa Parsons
Alana Pashon Case
Glenda Pate
Katrin Patergin
Courtney Patient
Lisa Patino
Candy Patten
Vicky Patton
Jennifer Patton
Kamdynn Patton
Laura Payne
Stacy Payne
Amanda Payne
Shaylee Payne
Alexandria Paysse
Kimberly Paz Ramirez
Tracy Pedder
Sabra Peel
Pauline Pelayo
Jessica Pelster
Emilio Pena
Danielle Pena Posso
Anna Penhale-Brese
Liliana Perez
Krystal Perez
Raul Perez
Ada Perez
Angelique Perez
Nayeli Perez Cabrera
Ivy Perisho
Izabella Perkins
Kathy Perrier
Meaghan Perry
Alexis Pesce
Sandra Peters
Ashley Peterson
Michelle Peterson
Isabella Peterson
Amanda Peterson
Morgan Peterson
Anya Petrilli
Gracie Petsche
Lauren Pfeil
Sarah Phelan
McKenzy Philhower
Demitria Philippou
Madeleine Phillips
Denise Phillips
Almeta Pierce
Sky Pinegar
Luana Pinheiro Dias Zunchini
Jazmyn Pinkham
Devon Pinney
Phillip Pinter
Grace Piper
Donna Piscitelli
Shaela Pizzulo
Randyl Plancarte
Madyson Plante
Tierra Plaster
Martha Plazola
Danielle Podhany
Gabrielle Poindexter
Andrea Poland
Vanessa Popham
Daniela Porras
Lauren Posey
Sandra Potter
Lexi Powell
Jazmand Pratt
Uziel Preciado
Giane Pretorius
Courtney Prevost
Holly Price
Brandon Prokop
Beth Proudfoot
Paige Provorse
Cambelle Provost
Emily Pryor
Kiya Prysock-Footman
Gabrielle Pucher
Kara Purcell
Kimberly Puzz
Alexander Puzzanghera
Sergio Quintero
Ana Quintuna-Guaman
Brianna Raabe
Christine Racz
Remington Radcliffe
Sophia Raeyes
Justin Raggio
Kadie Ramey
Rachelle Ramirez
Jasmin Ramirez
Kristina Ramirez
Annabel Ramirez
Isa Ramirez-Silva
Mariel Ramos
Paola Ramos
Ciara Ramos Guzman
Kayla Ramsey
Karis Randall
Christine Rapp
Daniela Rauch
Ashley Raymond
Ashley Reale
Janiece Rebenitsch
Courtenay Rebman
Noelle Reder
Brittany Redmon
Mackenzie Reese
Joanna Reeves
Timothy Reiber
Nora Reid
Alexa Reimer
Ronald Reliford
Riley Rennix
Amanda Replogle
Nayelie Resto
Karleigh Retter
Taylor Revels
Jonathan Reyes
Aileen Reyes
Joshua Reyna
Sophia Reyna Guevara
Kora Reynolds
Mackenzie Reynolds
Alexis Reynolds
Heather Rhodes
Sierra Rhodes
Kyla Riba
Nicole Ribeiro
Amber Ricard
Michaela Ricci
Gracie Rich
Kalia Richards
Kira Richardson
Emily Richison
Deven Riddick
Dakota Rider
Darling Rios
Brandon Ritter
Maximillian Ritter
Adrienne Rivera
Vanessa Rivera
Katherine Rivera
Rachel Rivera
Jessica Rivera-Jones
Rebecca Robbins
Isabell Roberson
Kathleen Roberson
Abby Roberts
Sarah Roberts
Cierra Roberts
Stacy Roberts
DeAnna Robertson
Alex Robertson
Jillian Robinson
Miraena Rocereto Ridley
Melissa Rochester
Shirley Rodas
Camie Rodgers
Giovanna Rodriguez
Savanah Rodriguez
Lillian Rodriguez
Melissa Rodriguez
Marissa Rodriguez
Elizabeth Rodriguez
Joseph Rodriguez
Manuela Rodriguez
Samantha Rodriguez
Taylor Rodriguez
Dennis Rodriguez
Jarielys Rodriguez Santos
Sky Roecker
Skyler Roehl
Russell Rogers
Crystal Roman
Cassandra Romph
Gianna Rosamilia
Haley Rose
Leilani Rosenbaum
Katrina Rosival
Morgan Ross
Regina Ross-Schmid
Brittainy Roth
Jaime Rovero
Melissa Rowcotsky
Suzanne Roy
Nir Rozenberg
Anita Rubio
Monique Ruiz
Jennifer Rumfield
Shannon Rushford
Laura Russell
Tessa Russell
Ebony Russell
Megan Ryan
Elizabeth Saffell
Daniel Salomone
Rona Salpeter
Yasmine Samhoun
Steve San Miguel Zamorano
Michaela Sanchez
Yulianna Sanchez
Roxanne Sanchez
Lizbeth Sanchez
Sabrina Sanchez
Mauricio Sanchez
Mariana Sanchez Ramirez
Karla Sanchez-Gomez
Kimberlyn Sanchez-Gomez
Bryan Sanders
Margaret Sandoval
Ashley Sanford
Monique Sanges
Piper Santos
Jasmin Santos
Khiersty-Ahn Saoy
Isabella Saputo
Lalisa Sardin
Savannah Sargent
Camille Saucedo
Noel-Angela Sawicki
Grace Scaffidi
Christopher Scalise
Robert Schaer
Abigail Scheib
Lillian Scheid
Kelly Scheirer
Megan Scheulin
Kylee Schmeichel
Sydney Schmid
Jenna Schneider
Devan Schomp
Alexis Schram
Kristin Schrimper
Grace Schroeder
Sara Schueler
Krista Schulte
Shelley Schwitzerlett
Maria Gabriella Scimone
Aaron Scott
Lauren Scott
Krystina Scott
Madeline Scott
Sloane Seelatsee
Mia Segundo
Brian Seiner
Sonja Sellers
Kimberlee Sem
Melissa Senior
Melissa Serra
Alexandra Serrano
Helen Severance
Kimberly Sevilla
Nicole Seymour
Jade Shadis
Jaidyn Shahan
Bryan Shankman
Jaylee Shatney
Anastasia Shatokhina
Kara Shattwell
Taylor Shaw
Cari Shaw
Tara Shaw
Amber Shell
Zoe Shelonko
Alana Shelton
Selena Sherer
Madison Shewen
Melissa Shive
Brian Shockley
Jasmine Shriner
Taylor Shubert
Natasha Shubin Garcia
Jacquelyn Sibbert
Cedric Sichak
Alison Sichmeller
Kayla Sierra
Corey Silva
McKenzie Silva
Magali Silva
Daisymarie Silva Rodriguez
Judi Singer
Kulraj Singh
Hernoor Singh
Cameron Sita
Kairra Smerdell
Tarah Smith
Rhoda Smith
Rynai Smith
Amanda Smith
Tara Smith
Amanda Smith
Courtney Smith
Steven Smith
Sydney Smith
Ashley Smith
Abigail Smith
Brittany Smith
Savannah Snellenberger
Kaitlynn Snodgrass
Amber Sobolewski
David Sokol
Fernanda Solorio
Christina Song
Joel Sookram
Sabrina Sosnick
Brandy Soto
Melanie Soto
Paloma Del Mar Sotomayor Bermudez
Caitlin Soucie
Cassandra Sousa
Victoria Spalding
Alyssa Spaller
Morgan Sparks
Marianne Spengler
Morgana Spies
Michelle Sprankle
Heather St. Louis
Shawn Stanford
Gianna Stanske
Sheri Staples
Alexandria Stark
Teresa Steel
Brandy Steffes
Kristeena Steinwall
Suzanne Stensgaard
Holly Stephens
Veronica Stephens
Honey Stern
Kristen Stewart
Kaya Stewart
Keller Stewart
Gwynivere Stine
Emily Lynn Stobbe
Mollie Stone
Emma Stone
Tamie Stones
Marae Stork
Veronica Stout
Stephanie Stout
Kayla Stra
Kendra Strachan
Zoe Strange
Lindsey Strum
Alexandra Such
Ritika Sujan
Emma Sullivan
Joan Sullivan
Ashley Summers
Sheryl Sundean
Kelsy Susral
Gabrielle Swain
Andrew Swanson
Erin Swart
Savannah Swarthout
Jessica Sweger
Christy Swenson
Peter Swiderski
Katie Sylvain
Toni Sylvester-Reynolds
Maycee Szymanski
Carl Tahnazani
Kyla Takenaka
Ronit Tal
Ashley Talarico
Grace Tapp
Andrea Taranto
Sheldanis Taveras
Brittany Taylor
Stacey Taylor
Danielle Taylor
Imani Taylor
Gracie Taylor
Isabelle Taylor
Wayne Taylor-Jordan
Chanel Tellez
Anhiya Tempel
Janina Teschner
Paige Tesluck
Kimberly Thomas
Christopher Thomas
Ashley Thomas
Trista Thomas
Alexandra Thomas
Maloria Thomas
Alexis Thomason
Oonagh Thompsen
Tia Thompson
McKenzie Thorn
Heather Thorn
Elora Thorn
Kyra Thornton
Shawnda Tinnin
Jessica Tober
Simone Tobin
Cassandra Torkelson
Diana Torres
Maribel Torres
Ivy Torrez
Kaitlyn Towner
Meagan Townsend
Arielle Trigueno
Shelley Tripp
Dorothy Trivitt
Shay Trottier
Kimberly Troutt
Kyle Truelove
Akayla Truxon
Sopio Tskhviravashvili
Davisha Tuitt
Stephanie Tuomisto
Megan Tuper
Nicole Turner
Destiny Turner
Tia Turner
Taylor Turner
Daniel Tuttle
Myanni Ubarry
Rebecca Underwood
Qeana Underwood
Jessica Urban
Diamonte Ureste
Christine Utley
Lindsay Uvery
Chelcey Vachon
Gabrielle Val
Carolina Valdivia
Nikki Jo Valencerina
Jason Vance
Allendra Vanderknyff
Christian Vanders
Joanhana Vargas
Ericka Varguez
Bhakti Vaze
Mariah Vazquez
Miranda Vazquez
Kayla Vega
Consuelo Vega
Dayanara Velasquez
Cassandra Vellinga
Yesica Venegas Orozco
Angelic Ventura
Francisca Verdugo
Angel Vidal
Aryanna Vigier
Kim Vigotty
Lola Villarreal
Melissa Villatoro
Michelle Vinson
Sandra Violette
Katie Vitolo
Brandi Vodochodsky
Giordan Vollbrecht
Stephanie Vorias
Rachel Wager
Katie Wagner
Alannah Wagner
Macie Walck
Courtney Waldick
Alice Walenciak
Alishia Walker
Angela Walker
Charlage Walker
Emily Walker
Serena Walker
Tracey Walker
Emma Walkington
Kathryn Walley
Kristen Walls
Aden Walsh
Allisha Walter
April Walters
Miranda Ward
Alysia Warda
Kitana Warner
Guy Warner
Nicole Warren
Ann Warren
Linda Waterman
Juliann Watson
Amanda Weakley
Nancy Webb
Stephanie Weber
Chelsea Weber
Catherine Webster
Meesha Weiler
Andrea Weimer
Emma Weldert
Wanda Weldy
Adam Wells
Debra Weniger
Christel Wennberg
Lisa Wenrich
Hope Wentink
Kelly West
Lauren Westhoff
Barbara Weston
Sarah Whaley
Susannah Whitby
Andrew White
Patricia White
Shelley White
Hannah White
Tess White
Amara Whitebird
Tess Whitney
Stephanie Whittle
Alexandria Whitton
Karen Widaman
Jared Wieder
Diana Wilcox
Samantha Wilhelm
Angie Wilkerson
Jaliema Wilkinson
Pamela Williammee
Laci Williams
Carrie Williams
Victoria Williams
Allison Williams
Hayley Williams
Jeremy Williams
Ayla Williams
Kaelan Williams
Erica Williams
Marissa Willis
Trianna Wilson
Jessica Wilson
Heather Wilson
Bailey Wilson
Teresa Wilson
Julia Wilson
Andrew Wilson
Sharon Rose Windish
Dawn Wisler
Kailyn Wolf
Graydon Wood
Madison Woodard
Kia Woodley
Nicole Woodliff
Logan Woods
Marina Woods
Gianna Woods
Sidney Worden
Lauren Worst
Lauren Wright
Phoebe Wright
Trinity Wright
Cheyenne Wright
Angela Wright
Miranda Wypiszynski
Madison Wysocki
Aaron Xiong
Paige Yale
Juanita Yanez-Nava
Taylor Yanez-Oswood
Hezhi Yao
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How a Veterinary Assistant Program Can Boost Your Career Prospects in the Animal Care Industry
No Vet Assistant Credentials? No Problem?
If you want to work with animals and are considering a career as a veterinary assistant, you may wonder whether you need any credentials to apply for jobs.
Though it is a medical field, you do not need to have any licensing, certification, or degree to be a veterinary assistant. The only education requirement for becoming a veterinarian assistant is usually a high school diploma.
This is exciting news…until you start applying for jobs, and then it is crickets. No one is willing to give you a chance.
Why?
Because you have no credentials.
Do not let people tell you differently: getting a veterinary assistant certification makes a difference. An attractive vet assistant job candidate either has lots of experience working with animals in some capacity or has a vet assistant certificate proving knowledge of the field. Just showing up with a high school diploma and saying, “I love animals,” does not cut it in a crowded job market.
The Reality of the Vet Assistant Job Market
On the upside, there are plenty of jobs available to qualified applicants, and all signs point to continued growth. According to Forbes, 66% of American homes have pets in 2024. And since 51% of those owners consider their pets part of their family, spending on pets is astronomical. The figure is closing in on $150 billion, with veterinary care claiming a huge chunk.
More pets equal more vets. More veterinarians equal more vet assistant jobs.
Even with more jobs being created, however, there are still lots of animal lovers vying for every single one of them. Prospective employers can choose among qualified job candidates.
Why would they pick someone with no skills, training, or meaningful experience when they could fill the position with a certified veterinary assistant who would require little job training?
Sure, there are some people who get hired with no experience and no job training, and they receive on-the-job training. In reality, though, they are exceptions to the rule. These are competitive jobs. Think how much you love dogs and cats, and puppies and kittens, and want to help take care of them! So do thousands of other animal lovers.
How Do I Improve my Job Prospects?
Getting experience working with animals will help beef up your resume for sure. Depending on where you live, this may be easier for some than others. Rural areas offer opportunities to get experience on farms or ranches or in riding stables. Wildlife rehabilitation centers may also accept volunteer help. Cities may have zoos with volunteer programs (although those are super hard to get into, too). Dog kennels or doggy daycares are also good options.
If you have a challenging time getting your foot in the door somewhere to get experience with animals, or if you have experience and still cannot land a job, enrolling in an online veterinary assistant program could give you the leg up you need.
Animal Behavior College’s online program can be completed in about a year and is more affordable and flexible than attending a brick-and-mortar trade school.
ABC also ensures you get plenty of real-world experience working in a veterinary clinic setting. Once your online work is done, you start on an externship with a mentor at an animal hospital facility near you. Under your mentor’s supervision, you can practice your new skills and get a feel for what it is like working in a veterinary practice.
Once you get certified, you will be able to demonstrate to prospective employers that:
You are serious about a career as a vet assistant.
You have experience in a veterinary facility.
You will have a good grasp of what the job entails and will not need much training.
You have knowledge about sterilizing, prepping exam rooms, lab procedures, animal restraint, and other essential elements of the job.
It’s Time to Get Serious About Your Career
Why waste more time applying for veterinary assistant jobs without any experience or credentials to recommend you? Become the type of job candidate vet practices are looking for! Call ABC at 800-795-3294 to set up an interview today.
If you have recently acquired an adorable, irresistible ball of puppy fluff, or are thinking about acquiring one, you should plan on beginning training at once. Eight weeks may seem young, but the best, more receptive age for puppy training is between two and four months.
Your puppy may seem tiny, but you really cannot start training too young. Like kids, puppies are sponges, soaking everything up and learning quickly. Just make sure to keep training sessions fun and positive–negative experiences or impressions can last a lifetime.
Even at that early age, puppies have that I-want-to-please-my-human thing going on, so you have that going for you!
Serious Business Disguised as Fun and Games
Dogs are naturally fun-loving. Training should be a blast for your pup.
Consider this: even as full-grown adults, working dogs do what they do for pleasure. Canine Sergeant Adam Witherspoon, who has trained hundreds of police dogs, says, “It is a game to dogs. They succeed in a task; they get a reward.”
It is amazing what a dog can learn to do, and it all starts in puppyhood!
“Make training fun! It does not have to be exceptionally long but make it fun for you and your pup each time,” says Animal Behavior College dog training instructor Samantha Jonker.
A focus on fun paired with your pup’s natural desire to please makes it easy to teach obedience basics like “sit” and “focus” — the two most important early lessons. You really want your puppy to be able to put his whole attention on you. Plus, that little pup sitting and looking up at you expectantly with those big brown eyes will melt your heart.
Before You Begin
It is crucial to understand the importance of timing in training. You want to reward your pup the very instant he does what you want. Mark the behavior with a treat or a “Yes!” If your timing is off, though, you risk reinforcing the wrong behavior.
Your pup will quickly learn to repeat whatever behavior earns him a reward, so you will need to think like your puppy. For instance, if he is whining for a treat and you give him one then what has he learned? “If I whine, I get a treat!”
Sit!
This is one of the easiest commands to teach your puppy. While she is standing in front of you, hold a treat above her head so she must look up. As she does, her little rear will sink to the floor and the instant it touches the floor you say, “Yes!” and let her have the treat.
Do not anticipate. Wait until her haunches hit the floor.
Repeat it five or six times with the treat, then try it with just the hand motion (keeping the treat in the other hand to reward her when her butt hits the floor). Keep your tone light and positive.
Repeat this several times in short sessions. By then, she will be associating sitting with being treated and begin to sit a little longer. Now it is time to start adding the cue “sit.”
In adding the cue, it is important to time it as she begins the sitting motion. Again, do not anticipate, but do not wait until her rear hits the floor, either.
Repeat several times, remembering to keep your tone happy and training sessions short!
Socialize Your Puppy
Socialization involves exposing your puppy to new experiences and places and helping him get comfortable with people and animals besides the ones in his home. Do not wait until he is older; the younger he is, the more receptive he will be to accepting something unfamiliar. Just do not throw too much at him at once.
“Socialization is so important, with both other people and other dogs,” says Jonker.” Be sure to give your new pup the opportunity to meet new people and other dogs regularly and reward all good behavior you see.”
Not given that opportunity, your pup may shy away from people or worse, start showing aggressive tendencies out of fear.
“A puppy or beginner group training class is a great place to get some exposure to other dogs and to learn manners,” Jonker adds. A win-win!
Interested in Puppy Training? Are You Asking Yourself, Where Is Their Puppy Training Near Me?
If you would like to learn more about puppy training or are thinking about becoming a dog obedience trainer, Animal Behavior College can help. ABC’s online dog obedience program can teach you everything you need to start your career in about a year.
You will get a great curriculum developed by professional trainers and each student will have a program manager to provide support along the way.
Once your online work is done, you work with a mentor trainer in an externship and volunteer your skills at an animal shelter. That way, you will have plenty of hands-on experience by the time you earn your dog trainer certification.
To talk to an admissions counselor, call 800-795-3294.
Heroes on Four Paws: Dogs Save Lives in War and Peace
Dogs of War
U.S. soldiers have a long history of taking man’s best friend to the battlefront. Many Civil War units had beloved mascots, but dogs had no official role beyond providing companionship.
By World War I many countries had recognized the potential of dogs in combat situations. Though the United States military did not officially have a program to train dogs for service, they were used by many countries as watchdogs, sentries, scouts, and messengers. Terriers were popular for their ability to combat the rats that shared the trenches with the soldiers.
The Red Cross employed assistance or “ambulance dogs” to venture into “no man’s land” – the dangerous zone between the trenches of the Allies and their enemies. They performed such tasks as carrying first aid supplies to wounded men and lying down next to dying soldiers to provide comfort. Some were trained to carry a wounded soldier’s hat to the medics and lead them back to him.
Official U.S. Military Service Dogs
During World War II, there was a civilian-led effort to train dogs for military service. Called Dogs for Defense, the group persuaded pet owners to give them their animals for training as guard dogs.
It did not quite work out as hoped; different levels of training experience and other issues hampered the ambitious effort. However, it piqued the interest of military brass.
In the summer of 1942, the Remount Branch Quartermaster became a procurer and trainer of canines. At first, all breeds were accepted, but it quickly became apparent that some breeds were more suited to the work: German shepherd, Doberman pinscher, Belgian sheepdog, collie, Siberian husky, malamute, and Eskimo dog.
The first dogs were put to work guarding the coastline against saboteurs that might be put ashore by enemy submarines. Eventually, 3,174 dogs would serve the Coast Guard in that capacity.
Before long, tactical, scout, and messenger dogs were being trained. There were bugs to be worked out. For example, during their training in the U.S., dogs were acclimated to gunfire but not the artillery which caused them to panic during battle.
As the kinks were worked out, the abilities of the dogs shone. As scouts, for instance, they could warn their handlers of the enemy’s presence at a range of 1000 yards.
Messenger dogs could deliver messages short distances during combat faster than their human counterparts, and they made smaller targets.
After the war, the army made a massive effort to ensure the vast majority of dogs returned to the United States and were re-trained to lead successful civilian lives.
During the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, dogs again accompanied the troops. More than 4,000 dogs went to Vietnam. They scouted, tracked, performed sentry duty, and detected mines, tunnels, and booby-trap. By conservative estimate, these four-legged heroes were responsible for saving 10,000 American lives.
The dogs were highly proficient at sniffing out trouble and avoiding ambushes in the jungle where so much vegetation limited human sight. So effective and despised by the enemy were they that the Viet Cong put a $20,000 bounty on them.
Tragically, only 204 dogs made it home. The rest were either turned over to the South Vietnamese military or euthanized, despite the pleas of many of their distraught human handlers.
In 2000, the Robby Law was enacted preventing such an atrocity from ever being repeated and allowing citizens to adopt retired military service dogs.
Dogs in Modern Warfare
More recent wars have taken canine soldiers to the arid climate of the Middle East where they have proved invaluable in drug and explosive detection and sentry duty. Their life-saving capabilities far exceed their $150,000-plus price tag.
Lucca, a German Shepherd-Belgian Malinois mix, served as a Marine Corps explosives detection dog for six years. In the course of the 400 patrols she led, no soldier was ever injured, and she was able to ID around 40 explosive devices. She received an injury that resulted in the loss of a front leg in 2012.
Dogs like Lucca save the lives of countless American soldiers, but for many of those soldiers, their struggles follow them home.
Service Dogs Are Homefront Heroes
On the home front, as on the battlefield, specially trained canines can help their humans…
Many veterans, suffering from injuries and amputations, rely on service dogs to perform tasks to allow them to live independently and navigate the world. They can be trained to perform a mind-boggling array of tasks, such as opening doors, pulling a wheelchair or supplying stability, and retrieving objects.
Many veterans, wounded or not, carry the trauma of war home with them in the form of PTSD, and dogs are uniquely capable of assisting veterans living with this invisible enemy. They can do such things as gently wake a veteran for whom a loud alarm is a trigger, or they can enter a room first and turn on the lights for one who cannot face going into the dark.
They provide hope, love, support, friendship, and the confidence to venture out of the house and into the world once more. Ironically, many of these service dogs were rescued from shelters.
The Need for Dog Trainers
These heroic dogs are only able to do what they do because of skilled, dedicated trainers who understand their motivation and behavior. By learning how to become a dog trainer, you can help dogs reach their amazing full potential. It all starts with basic obedience.
Want to become a dog trainer? If you are asking where there is dog training near me, you have come to the right place! Animal Behavior College has been certifying dog obedience trainers since 1998. ABC’s online curriculum is followed up by an externship that provides lots of hands-on experience. ABC’s course is an excellent way to launch your career.
If you are already working as a dog obedience trainer and would like to add service dog training to your skill set, Animal Behavior College has an online Service Dog Trainer Program to prepare you for a career that can truly transform the lives of both dogs and humans.
If you are a dog lover looking to start a meaningful career, becoming a dog obedience trainer is hard to beat. Call us at 800-795-3294 to talk to an admissions counselor.
Click here for more information on dog obedience training. Click here for more information on service dog training.
Fur, Fins, Feathers, and Fangs: 50 Careers for Animal Lovers
Many people who have a passion for animals would love a career working with them. Whether you are zeroed in on one species, like sea turtles or horses; or whether you have a heart for all creatures, your dream job would let you work closely with animals.
Great news! There has never been a better time to start an animal career, especially jobs that are related to pets. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects jobs in animal care and services will grow at twice the rate of other occupations.
The growth in this sector of the economy is driven by the explosive increase in the number of pet owners. This number is projected to keep growing.
Dog walkers and trainers are in high demand right now, and just try getting a grooming appointment–pet salons are booked out for weeks! The demand for pet services shows no sign of slowing. If you want a part-time job and enjoy working with animals, those careers will make great side gigs, too! A solid second income can open many possibilities and make things like home ownership and paying off debt happen much faster! Pet grooming, dog training, and dog walking all offer flexible hours and good money. If you are interested in opening your own business, they are all ideal careers for self-employment.
Preparing for an Animal Career
Some of the following jobs require only a high school diploma; others require at least a bachelor’s degree, and salaries range widely. If you earn a college degree in an animal-related field, your opportunities will be much broader and your salary higher.
However, even if college is out of the question for you there are still plenty of rewarding and enjoyable jobs working with animals. Certification programs are available that provide online training and experience in several animal careers, and these look great on resumes! Animal Behavior College is an outstanding example and has been training people to launch careers since 1998.
50 Animal Careers by Category
The following is a breakdown of animal careers by category, along with education requirements and salary potential.
Agricultural Animal Careers
Rural life is beguiling to many folks, and there are many ways for animal lovers to find employment connected to agriculture.
● Livestock/agricultural journalists write articles for publication on topics related to farming, ranching, and other forms of agriculture. A bachelor’s degree in writing, journalism, communication, or agriculture is usually necessary to succeed. The median income is $82,000.
● Farm managers (or stable or ranch managers) oversee daily activities and manage all aspects of production. They hire and supervise workers and make all decisions related to crop planting and livestock husbandry. A Bachelor of Science in Agriculture or the equivalent is a plus. The median income for farm and ranch managers is $75,760.
● Riding instructors teach people to ride horses and feed, exercise, and groom the animals in their care. No degree is required to work as a riding instructor. The average base salary is $55,664.
● Extension agents have many jobs in a community, but helping farmers is high on the list. They also work closely with community youth in a variety of 4-H programs, many of which revolve around animals. A bachelor’s or master’s degree is required. The average salary for extension agents is $54,847.
● Range management specialists study natural resources and work to protect them by developing programs and standards governing the use of rangelands.
A degree in range management is required. The median salary is $51,206.
● Apiculturists, also known as beekeepers, maintain beehives and harvest honey. No formal degree is necessary to be a beekeeper, but should you want to get a bachelor’s degree in entomology or biology it would be helpful in your work. The average salary is $50,574.
● Animal/livestock breeders use knowledge of genetics to select and breed animals. They take animals’ genealogy and characteristics into careful consideration and keep detailed records. Most livestock breeders have a bachelor’s degree in animal science. The median salary for an animal breeder is $45,320.
● Shepherds tend and herd flocks of sheep. This oldest of professions requires no formal education but comes with a median salary of $43.221.
● Horse trainers train horses in the behaviors required by their intended discipline, such as racing, rodeo, show jumping, dressage, or pleasure riding. The median salary is $39,288.
● Grooms often work in the horse racing industry. They provide daily care for horses, saddle and unsaddle them, organize tack, clean stalls, and equipment, and sometimes help with training. There is no educational requirement to work as a groom. The average salary is $29,147.
Aquatic Animal Careers
Aquatic life is fascinating. There is no end to the unique creatures that dwell below the surface of oceans, lakes, and rivers. Scientists are still discovering new life forms in the depths of the seas. Anyone with an interest in marine life has a wide range of career paths to follow.
● Marine biologists study ocean life. They may do experiments, rescue marine life, and monitor the behavior of aquatic animals. Being a marine biologist requires an undergraduate degree in a scientific discipline such as ecology, aquatic biology, zoology, or animal science. The average salary is $86,203.
● Aquarium maintenance technicians set up, maintain, and service fresh or saltwater aquatic tanks in homes and offices. They may also work in fish hatcheries, aquarium parks, or any place that maintains aquatic life in tanks. There is no formal degree required, but certification is desirable. The median income is $40,199.
● Marine life rescuers help injured or sick animals; animals that have become entangled in nets or garbage; or stranded animals. They aid in their rehabilitation. Entry-level positions require no special degree or certification. Higher-level positions may require a degree in marine or wildlife biology. The wide pay range may reflect lots of room for advancement. The median salary is $55,632.
● Aqua culturists, or fish farmers, raise several types of fish and shellfish for profit or consumption. The minimum education required is a bachelor’s degree. The average salary is $44,489.
● Marine biotechnologists take advantage of the unique array of marine organisms to develop pharmaceuticals, enzymes, and chemicals. This career requires a Bachelor of Science degree, master’s, or, at the pinnacle of the field, a PhD in Marine Science and Technology. The average salary is $132,303.
● Marine mammal trainers work with dolphins, sea lions, manatees, and seals–usually in zoos or aquarium parks. They teach behaviors, feed the animals, and maintain clean, safe water environments. Most facilities want job candidates with life or animal science degrees. The average salary is $33,908.
● Deep sea marine biologists study the organisms that live far below the surface, sometimes in the deepest trenches of the ocean. Most of these jobs require at least a master’s degree. Salary maxes out at $60K.
● Fish biologists do such jobs as monitoring fish populations and fisheries, making environmental assessments for proposed projects, and identifying areas of needed research. A bachelor’s degree is typically required for entering the profession. The average salary is $64,945.
● Aquatic retailers vary in job descriptions; managers, aquarium technicians, and other staff command different salaries. The average salary is $38K.
● Hatchery assistants usually do not need a college degree, although if you aspire to a more advanced position you will need to earn one. Some people enter their career with an aquarium maintenance certification. The average salary for a fish hatchery worker is $49,095.
Pet-related Careers (Non-medical)
Aside from allowing you to spend your time with dogs, cats, and other animals, many pet careers are super flexible and make great side hustles. And if you have been looking for an opportunity for self-employment, one of these careers may be just the ticket!
● Dog walkers enjoy lots of fresh air and plenty of canine interaction. It is a fun career or side gig you can get into without needing a special degree. The average salary is $33,526.
● Pet groomers are in demand as the pet population continues to expand. Groomers help animals look good and feel good by bathing and trimming them, cleaning their ears, and clipping their nails. They do not need a formal education, but it helps to go through a training program to get certified. Like $37,501.
● Animal assisted- or pet therapists use therapy animals – usually dogs and cats – to help people with mental disorders or health issues. Pet therapy helps a wide range of people such as residents in long-term care facilities, cancer patients, and veterans with PTSD. Most hold bachelor’s degrees, and a master’s degree is necessary if you wish to counsel patients. The average salary is $38,056.
● Pet sitters care for animals when their humans are not at home. They may stay in the home or just drop in to monitor the animals, take care of litter boxes, and feed and water pets. They let dogs out to potty and walk them. Basic grooming may be involved. No special education is necessary. It is a nice side hustle if you can work it into your schedule. The average wage is $16 per hour. The median salary for a full-time pet sitter is $33,377.
● Dog obedience trainers are also in high demand these days. They train dogs to follow the basic commands for being good citizens, and they help owners understand how to properly continue training at home. Dog trainers do not have to be degreed or licensed, but certification is recommended. The average salary for a dog trainer is $40,348.
● Cat trainers are called to help curb feline problem behaviors, such as counter surfing, biting and scratching people, and litter box refusal. As with dog training, no degree is required, but certification is encouraged. The average salary is $46,748.
● Animal shelter attendants care for homeless animals waiting for their forever homes. They feed, water, groom, and exercise animals, and keep kennels and cages clean. No education beyond a high school diploma is needed, just a heart full of love for animals. The average salary is $30,522.
● Kennel attendants take care of dogs in a kennel. Duties are similar to animal shelter attendants. Again, no degree is required. The average salary is $28,914.
● Pet store retailers do a variety of jobs, most requiring nothing more than a high school degree. The average salary is $34,745
● Doggy daycare providers offer dog owners an approximation of childcare for canines. No degree is required to operate or work at a doggy daycare facility. The average salary is $29,511.
Careers Working with Wildlife
If wild or exotic animals are your passion, there are lots of careers that allow you to work with them.
● Animal control officers are called in to help rescue hurt, lost, or stray animals, trap animals that are endangering people, and provide first aid to wounded animals. A high school degree is usually required. Average salary is $47,913.
● Zoologists study non-domesticated animals, focusing on behavior, ecosystem, and impact of humans on habit. Zoology and wildlife biology are good degrees to pursue to become a zoologist. The average salary is $54,791.
● Park rangers do not necessarily work with animals, but they have regular opportunities to view wildlife during their job. A formal degree may not always be required, depending on the position. The average salary is $42,977.
● Wildlife photographers take amazing images of animals in their natural habitat, often selling them for publication. Self-employed wildlife photographers do not have to have degrees. Their average income is $42,345.
● Conservation officers, also known as fish and game wardens, help protect wild animals in their natural habitats by enforcing conservation and environmental laws and regulations. They work outside in all kinds of weather. Many states require only a high school diploma. The average salary is $50,144.
● Wildlife rehabilitators care for sick, injured, or orphaned animals. The goal is to release the animals back into the wild as soon as they can function normally in their habitat. Biology or ecology are the most commonly desired degrees. The average salary is $44,859.
● Venomous snake milkers extract venom from poisonous snakes for research and emergency lifesaving procedures. Snake milkers are not simply thrill-seekers; they enter a career with a degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or herpetology. They earn an average salary of $33,609.
● Wildlife advocates seek protection for animals and their habitats. They advocate for such things as species conservation, ocean clean-up, or rainforest preservation. The average salary is $64,945.
● Wildlife biologists study animals both in the wild and in captivity. To be a wildlife biologist requires a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, zoology, or some other natural science. The average salary is $61,173.
Animal Health Careers
Those who want to help animals often lean toward veterinary medical careers, but there are other options.
● Animal massage therapists study animal physiology and anatomy. They use massage techniques to improve the well-being of their patients. You can enter the field with a two-year associate degree. The average salary is $71,679.
● Veterinarians are the animal equivalent of human physicians. They must have a four-year degree followed by another four years of veterinary school. The average salary is $103,260.
● Veterinary technicians work in veterinary clinics and can do certain medical procedures, such as give vaccinations, take, and expose x-rays, and assist with surgeries. They must have an associate’s degree. The average salary is $39,293.
● Veterinary dentists have extensive training in oral surgery, medicine, and dental care for animals. In addition to the regular education required of a veterinarian, they must also do a residency in veterinary dentistry. The average salary is $189,979.
● Animal nutritionists make recommendations for food and diets for farmers, zookeepers, pet owners, and others in charge of animals’ well-being. The job requires a four-year degree in agricultural science, animal science, or related field. The average salary is $54,137.
● Veterinary practice managers oversee clinics and animal hospitals, handling staff, payroll, schedules, and related duties. While a degree may not be required, a management or business degree is excellent preparation. The average salary is $82,725.
● Laboratory animal caretakers monitor and care for animals in a research setting. A high school degree is all that is required but, certification in vet assisting may help secure a job. The average salary is $33,907.
● Farriers care for horses’ hooves, trimming them, and shoeing them, when necessary. No degree is necessary, but an apprenticeship or horseshoeing school can prepare you for your career. The average salary is $36K.
● Kennel technicians maintain a clean facility and provide care for animals, such as grooming, feeding, and exercising. A high school diploma is usually the only requirement. The average salary is $28,701.
Launch Your Career with Animal Behavior College
People ask these questions all the time – Where can I find service dog training near me, where can I find dog training near me, or where can I find pet grooming near me? You need not look any further than Animal Behavior College to learn these traits, and how to teach others these skills.
There are lots of well-paying jobs working with animals, even for those who do not have an advanced degree. If you are passionate about finding a rewarding animal career, Animal Behavior College would love to start on the right track.
With online programs for vet assistants, dog obedience trainers, zookeeper assistants, aquarists, service dog trainers, cat trainers, and pet groomers, we can help you launch your career. To talk to an admissions counselor, call 800-795-3294.
Working as a veterinary assistant is a great way to help animals in need. For someone who has a heart for animals, it may seem like the perfect job, but there are some things you should know about it before pursuing a career. This is one of those jobs where you need to know your strengths and weaknesses. If you underestimate the challenges of working for a veterinarian in a veterinary practice, emergency vet, animal hospital, or other type of facility that takes care of animals, there’s a chance you could fail.
Real Talk About Working as a Vet Assistant
Do vet assistants get to spend a lot of time with cute, furry animals? Of course! And if it were just a matter of being around for well-checks, vaccinations, and spaying/neutering, it would be smooth sailing, emotionally.
But vet assistants see a lot, and I mean a lot. It takes a ton of emotional strength to get through the day, sometimes.
Vet staff watches as animals they’ve come to know and love are euthanized, and it often falls on them to comfort distraught owners. They see animals brought in from the shelter or dropped off by “Good Samaritans” who have been abused, starved, and neglected. Vet assistants can never unsee such things; all that suffering takes a toll.
Even on a day that doesn’t bring that level of trauma, there can still be a lot to deal with. Some pet parents can try the patience of the most professional person. Sometimes the schedule is so crammed full you can’t catch your breath! Not going to lie – it can be stressful.
Veterinary practices are not immune to the staffing shortages that seem to plague most industries these days. Vet assistants can be stretched thin, working long hours and sometimes taking extra shifts to make sure there’s coverage.
Finally, it’s a very physical job. This is not a sitting-around type position. Patients need to be weighed, fed, walked, and monitored; there’s lots of cleaning to be done; and lifting anxious, squirming dogs onto exam tables involves twisting and bending – and they can be heavy!
Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the job comes with a lot of accidents to clean up, and some of them will be on your clothes.
If you want an easy job, this is definitely not it.
Fortunately, the Benefits of Being a Vet Assistant Outweigh the Challenges
If you’re still reading this, you may be a suitable candidate for a veterinary assistant career! It may be physically and emotionally challenging, but as you probably suspect, there are lots of benefits.
One of the positives is that there’s a lot of need for vet assistants. 86.9 million American households, or 66%, have pets, and at some point, almost all of those fur babies will need veterinary care. In 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected the career is expected to grow by 20% by 2032.
Vet assistants earn a decent living, comparable to other jobs that don’t require a college degree, such as being a receptionist, bank teller, or preschool teacher. Each average is in the mid-$30,000 range. The median vet assistant salary is $34,740. If you like the idea of an interesting job that brings something new every day, being a veterinary assistant qualifies. The variety of animals and people you meet keeps the job engaging. You never know what will walk through the door.
Most vet assistants have a passion for animals, and the fact that they get to help animals every day makes their job rewarding. Being part of a team that keeps animals healthy and saves lives every day makes it a worthwhile career.
And if adorable baby animals are your weakness, you’ll have cuddle opportunities galore! So many puppies and kittens come through for their first shots and well-checks, it never gets old.
Vet assistants rate their job satisfaction in the top 30% of careers. The Career Explorer survey considered salary, job meaningfulness, personality fit, work environment, and skills utilization (in other words, do you make the best use of your abilities?).
You may find you love working in a vet practice so much that you want to advance your career. Getting a vet tech degree takes two to four years, but it comes with a higher salary and the ability to do more medically related tasks than a vet assistant can.
Is Being a Vet Assistant for You?
There’s no way to know until you try it, but if you think vet assisting may be a good career fit, Animal Behavior College can help you get certified in about a year. The program is online, but it also provides real-world experience. Every student must complete 80 hours with a local mentor to complete the program.
While certification is not a job requirement, it can often make employers take notice of you. Lots of people with no qualifications or experience apply, but jobs tend to go to people who know what they’re doing.
An ABC Veterinary Assistant certification demonstrates that you know what the job entails and that you have a lot of hands-on experience and attributes employers appreciate.
For more information on a veterinary assistant career, visit our Vet Assistant Job Information at a Vet Near Me page here, and enroll at Animal Behavior College today!
As of January 2025, the national average salary for veterinary assistants in the U.S. is approximately $33,979 per year, or $16 per hour. Whether you’re starting a veterinary assistant program or already working as a vet assistant, knowing where to work can make a big difference in your career.
💰 Highest-Paying States
California: Average annual salary of $37,479, with hourly wages averaging $23.09.
Massachusetts: Average annual salary of $36,969, with hourly wages around $20.14.
New Jersey: Average annual salary of $37,241.
Washington State: Average annual salary of $28,970, with hourly wages averaging $20.78.
These states offer some of the best salaries for veterinary assistants. If you’re an animal lover considering a move, one of these could be the best state for vet assistant opportunities.
Employment Growth and Job Market Trends
Projected Growth
The veterinary assisting job market is expected to grow by 20.5% between 2022 and 2032, indicating a strong demand for assistants in veterinary practices nationwide.
States with High Employment Numbers
California: ~11,410 veterinary assistants
Texas: ~5,400
Florida: ~4,960
New York: ~3,540
Washington: ~3,200
Whether you’re working in a veterinary hospital, veterinary clinic, or animal hospital, the demand for assistants is growing. Some veterinarian technicians even start out as veterinary assistants before pursuing veterinary technician education.
What States Have the Most Vet Assistant Jobs?
According to Forbes, 66% of U.S. households have pets—great news for those entering the veterinary field.
Top states by location quotient (higher industry employment):
Maine
Oregon
Washington
Montana
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Arkansas
Tennessee
West Virginia
Virginia
These states may not always offer the highest pay, but they do have more veterinary care facilities and veterinary offices, leading to more job openings.
Which States Have the Highest Vet Assistant Salaries?
It’s hard to get a perfect answer, as salary rankings can vary depending on the source.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Massachusetts
Maine
New York
California
Connecticut
Zip Recruiter:
Alaska
Oregon
North Dakota
Massachusetts
Washington
Zippia:
Alaska
California
Oregon
Utah
North Dakota
Lowest-Paying States
Arkansas
Georgia
Louisiana
West Virginia
Florida
Kansas
Ohio
South Carolina
Before relocating, remember to factor in cost of living, especially in states like California or Massachusetts where veterinary assistant salaries may be higher, but so are living expenses.
What Is the Average Vet Assistant Salary?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2022) reported:
Median salary: $34,740
Salary range: $25,270–$44,920
Other data sources include:
Zip Recruiter:
Highest: Alaska, $39,146
Lowest: Florida, $24,453
Zippia:
Highest: Alaska, $38,195
Lowest: South Carolina, $22,643
If you’ve completed an approved veterinary assistant program, your salary could start at the higher end. You can search veterinary assistant programs online to find one that offers certification or online veterinary assistant training.
How Do Vet Assistant Salaries Compare to Other Careers?
The BLS reported these national median salaries (2022):
Bank tellers: $36,380
Receptionists: $33,960
Preschool teachers: $35,330
Vet assistants: $34,740
While a certified veterinary assistant may not earn six figures, the work is meaningful and makes a real impact in animal health and veterinary medicine.
What’s the Takeaway?
You won’t get rich as a veterinary assistant, but you will enjoy rewarding work, especially if you love animals. With experience and continuing education, you could advance into other roles on the veterinary health care team, such as veterinary technologist, veterinary technician, or even a licensed veterinarian.
Working in a veterinary practice means joining a veterinary team culture that values compassion, skill, and teamwork. Roles like veterinary receptionist duties, veterinary dental assisting, and medical billing are all vital.
If you want to work with animals in a veterinary clinic, animal shelter, or laboratory animal caretaker setting, then becoming a vet assistant is a great place to start.
Ready to Start Your Veterinary Assistant Journey?
Visit Animal Behavior College to learn more about our approved veterinary assistant training. You’ll receive comprehensive education, including:
Veterinary anatomy
Veterinary medical terminology
Veterinary oral health care
And real-world experience through our externship program!
Or visit our Veterinary assistant FAQ page
Let your passion for animal behavior, veterinary care, and making a difference lead you into this rewarding field.
What’s the Takeaway?
Nobody’s going to be living in the lap of luxury on a vet assistant salary, but regardless of what state you live in, you should be able to make an adequate wage. In the end, it’s often best to follow your passion. If you want a rewarding career working with animals, becoming a veterinary assistant is a solid choice. As the old saying goes, if you love what you’re doing, you’ll never work a day in your life.
For more information on a veterinary assistant career, visit our Vet Assistant Job Information at a Vet Near Me page HERE, and enroll at Animal Behavior College today!
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STATE LICENSURE AND APPROVAL
Animal Behavior College is a private vocational school approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (www.bppe.ca.gov) under the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 and Title 5. California Code of Regulations Division 7.5. Private Postsecondary Education. The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education approval means that this institution and its operation comply with the standards established under the law for occupational instruction by private postsecondary educational institutions. Institutional approval is subject to continual review and the institution must reapply for approval every five years.
DISCLAIMER
Please be advised that Animal Behavior College (“ABC”) is the exclusive entity authorized to provide certifications and/or degrees from Animal Behavior College. Moreover, such certifications and/or degrees are only conferred by ABC following a student’s completion of an ABC-administered program. No other entity or individual has authority to confer certifications and/or degrees on ABC’s behalf. Any other entity or individual who attempts to do so is acting without express or implied authority from ABC.
GI BILL® TRADEMARK ATTRIBUTION
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
Animal Behavior College, 27509 Avenue Hopkins, Santa Clarita CA 91355-3910 Contact Us
Shifting gears, I want to talk about something on many people’s minds. Inflation.
