ALT-2 How to become a Pet Psychologist
An animal psychologist is as different from a veterinarian as a human psychologist is from a general practitioner. On theAnimal Behavior Societywebsite an interested person may apply for their certification credentials to be an applied animal behaviorist, but first they will need a bit of schooling. The guidelines for certification are fairly broad, but in general someone should be on the path to obtaining a Ph.D. in Animal Behavior.
That's right, a Ph.D. Unlike a trainer or a counselor an animal psychologist must study and understand animal behavior to its fullest. Now, there is no set path to get there. At least at the moment there is not an accredited school offering an animal psychologist study program that will take you through the steps to go from an undergrad to post-grad in one core study.
So, how do you become an animal psychologist?
First, get yourself enrolled in a psychology, veterinarian sciences, or biology program for your undergrad work. Physiology, animal behavior, and ethology are good areas of study to supplement your primary focus. While you're doing this surround yourself with animals. Volunteering or working at a shelter, a veterinarian's office, or a training facility will get you some good exposure.
Once you've obtained a bachelor's degree look to obtain work with an animal behaviorist or psychologist while you continue your pursuit toward a master's degree and eventually your doctorate. At this time it will be moment to narrow your field of study into an animal behavior specialty. Look to your professors, other animal psychologists, and the Animal Behavior Society for guidance in choosing the right courses.
Once you've acquired the proper schooling get certified by the Animal Behavior Society. Some things, regardless of study, will not be able to be learned. Animal psychology will take patience, a love of animals, understanding, energy, and compassion, but if you don't have these you probably are not going to be on this path anyway. The money of this fairly new field of expertise is substantial, but with the amount of schooling it requires it should be.
To find out more about career opportunities and certification I encourage you to first the following websites:
http://www.animalbehavior.org/
http://www.certifiedanimalbehaviorist.com/
Stay away from the online animal behavior degree programs. Many are non-accredited and are not recognized by professions such as those at the Animal Behavior Society. Even those school that do carry accreditation if you think about it logically will not give you the exposure to animals that you need to become good at the practice.
