AnimalLaw Employment Prospects CRJS230 HVCC

Employment Pros.pectsfor Students ofAnimalLaw

(1) Law Enforcement

Legislation on the books is useless if it is not properly enforced.

In New York State, troopers are not mandated to learn how to enforce Article 26 of theA&ricohure " Markets Law,

This course offers the New York State Humane Association's manual, "How to Investigate Animal Cmelty in New York State - A Manual of Procedures," a comprehensive document which includes chapters on how law enforcement officials can be prepared ahead of time - before they actually receive a cmelty complaint, how to receive and investigate a complaint, examples covering many situations, and all annotated NYSlaws pertinent to animals. Also included is case law relevant to animal cases, basic animal care standards, appendices containing forms to use in cruelty investigations, handouts on various animal care topics, and articles pertinent to various animal issues which law enforcement should be familiar with.

(2) Humane Law Enforcement!Animal Control Officer

HLE/AC officers inspect kennels. pet shops, stables. and other places where animals are kept to make sure that animal welfare regulations are being followed. HLE/AC officers respond to reports of animal cruelty, investigate, and if warranted, may make arrests. HLE/AC officers also enforce licensing laws and rescue trapped animals. For example, recently there was a fire in a building in Manhattan and ASPCA HLE officers went into the building with the help of the fire department and rescued the animals that were trapped in the building.

• To become a HLE/ACofficer usually requires a H.s. diploma, possibly some oourses in criminology and animal sciences, specific job training (may be similar to police training).

• Some states require certification.

(3) Lobbyist/Lawyer

A lobbyist is someone who tries to influence legislators to pass bills in their area of special interest. For example, one of the things the ASPCA Government Affairs Department does is lobby. A bill wasrecentlypassed through the assembly and senate in NYSmaking intentional animal cruelty a felony offense. punishable by up to a $5,000 fine and/or up to 2 years imprisonment. Getting that bill through the senate and assembly took much workby lobbyists whose "special interest" is animal issues.

• Most lobbyists are lawyers. NOTiG:: THiS tv\ATERIAL N\AY BE PROTECTED BY

COPYRiGliT LA\lv (TIllE 17, U.S. CODE).

Animal Law Employment Prospects CRJS 230 HVCC

Many lawyers :wackin more traditional ways for animals too. Lawyers can work within or for humare organizations, for individual people, for individual animals. In their work they try to make sure that the laws that the lobbyists worked so hard to get passed are enforced in the courts.

(4) Humane Educator

Humane Educators vary greatly in terms of their educational backgrounds.

To be a humane educator a background in education is certainly helpful, but not necessary. An ability to speak in public, to teach others, and a love for children and animals is also helpful.

Many humane educators are volunteers or employees of humane organizations, like the ASPCA. Some work with other animals, usually small animals or very well trained dogs.

Humane Educators teach others about animals, their needs, their abilities, and try to instill a respect and reverence for all life.

To a lesser extent but also possibilities:

(5) Animal Behaviorist!Animal Trainer

An animal trainer is someone that either trains animals, or teaches a person how to train their ownpet to do a variety of things. In this case, the trainer is actually training the person - teaching the person the skills and techniques they need to train their animal.

• An animal trainer can work in a variety of settings - they can work at animal shows, in animal shelters, have their own business, work for the entertainment industry, training animals for movies, television, work training service dogs (e.g.; seeing-eye; hearing-ear).

• There are no educational standards or licensing requirements for animal trainers. There are training programs, internships, and apprenticeships. There are also voluntary certifications.

Animal behaviorists often hold advanced degrees in animal sciences and behavioral principles. Most have Ph.Di's, An animal behaviorist will often deal with behavior problems in animals (e.g.; separation anxiety, compulsive behaviors, etc).

(6) Therapist

"Therapists" for other animals are usually animal behaviorists. They observe an animal's behavior and their environmental situation, and if necessary, develop a plan to change the animal's problematic behavior - helping the animal develop "normal" behavior patterns.

Animal Law Employment Prospects CRJS 230 HVCC

Animals can also serve as therapists. Many animals are brought into hospitals and nursing homes to make the people in these places happier. Animals sometimes help psychologists reach patients that are socially withdrawn. Interacting with an animal is sometimes offered as a reward for speaking in speech therapy, walking in physical therapy. Brushing an animal can bea physical therapy exercise.

The educational requirements for different types of therapists vary. Many volunteers will go through training alone and with their animals (usually dogs) to have their animals certified as an animal therapist. 11leywill then visit hospitals and nursing homes with their animals. This may be the only "therapeutic" training the person has.