Is becoming a kennel technician right for me?
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How to become a Kennel Technician
The most important part of becoming a kennel technician is having a love for animals. This job requires interacting with pets all day, so enjoying being around animals is a must. Kennel technicians must be strong enough to handle very large dogs on a leash and not be afraid of maintaining control of them. When working within a shelter, many of the animals may have experienced some form of neglect or abuse. It’s the kennel technician's role to help the animal trust people again and associate human interactions with positive experiences.
There is no formal education required in order to become a kennel technician, though a high school diploma may be requested. Employers tend to prefer people who have had experience working with animals. The easiest way for someone interested in getting into this career is to volunteer at an animal shelter. It is an excellent way to learn some of the skills needed, such as cleaning the cages, giving food and water to the animals, taking the dogs on regular walks, and performing some grooming tasks.
Although no post secondary education is required, some schools offer associate degree programs or certificates in animal care and management. In these programs, students will learn how to restrain, handle, and care for animals. They will also learn basic safety procedures to work with injured or ill animals. They'll also be introduced to lab equipment and sterilization techniques.