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Working Animals Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

... animals and guests * Model the Zoo's image and code of professional ethics in words and actions at all times * Maintain a positive example in meeting the needs of Nashville Zoo guests, working with ...

... animals and guests * Model the Zoo's image and code of professional ethics in words and actions at all times * Maintain a positive example in meeting the needs of Nashville Zoo guests, working with ...

... animals and guests * Model the Zoo's image and code of professional ethics in words and actions at all times * Maintain a positive example in meeting the needs of Nashville Zoo guests, working with ...

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Working Animals information

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working with service or therapy animals, and how can these be managed?

Professionals who work with service or therapy animals often encounter challenges such as maintaining the animals’ training and behavior standards, ensuring their health and well-being, and fostering effective communication between the animal and handler. It’s also common to navigate public misconceptions and access issues when bringing animals into various environments. Managing these challenges involves ongoing education, regular health check-ups for the animals, and strong teamwork with both human and animal partners. Support from experienced colleagues and continuing professional development are also valuable in overcoming these daily obstacles.

What is the difference between Working Animals vs Search and Rescue Dogs?

AspectWorking AnimalsSearch and Rescue Dogs
Required CredentialsBasic training, certifications vary by taskAdvanced training, certifications in search and rescue techniques
Work EnvironmentFarms, farms, urban areas, specialized environmentsDisaster sites, wilderness, urban search zones
Employer & IndustryAgriculture, transportation, service industriesEmergency services, rescue organizations

Working Animals encompass a broad range of animals trained for various tasks across industries, while Search and Rescue Dogs are specifically trained to locate missing persons in disaster or wilderness scenarios. Both roles require specialized training, but Search and Rescue Dogs undergo more intensive certification processes and operate primarily in emergency environments. Understanding these differences helps clarify their unique functions and training requirements.

What is a working animal?

Working animals are animals that have been trained to perform specific tasks or services for humans. These roles can include herding livestock, pulling carts or plows, providing transportation, assisting people with disabilities, performing search and rescue, or even detecting drugs and explosives. Common examples include horses, dogs, donkeys, and oxen. Working animals have played a significant role in human societies throughout history and continue to be important in many industries and communities today.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to work with working animals?

To excel as an animal trainer for working animals, you need a strong understanding of animal behavior, training techniques, and relevant animal care practices, often supported by a high school diploma or animal science coursework. Familiarity with positive reinforcement tools, clicker training systems, and animal handling equipment is typically required. Patience, clear communication, and observational skills are crucial soft skills that help build trust and ensure effective training. These competencies are vital for ensuring the safety, well-being, and optimal performance of working animals in professional settings.
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Working Animals jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Working Animals job openings:
Infographic showing various Working Animals job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution.

Animal Caretaker II

Maury County, Tennessee

Columbia, TN • On-site

Other

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Nature of Work
This is very responsible animal control work assisting with all aspects of the caring and placement of animals taken to the Maury County Animal Shelter. Activities associated with the job include assisting with the intake of stray or abandoned animals, providing care for them until they are reunited with their owner, adopted or euthanized, ensuring that the shelter is maintained in an organized and sanitary condition and providing the animals with daily nutritional and grooming needs. Additional responsibilities include educating the public about rabies control and regulations governing animals, assisting the public with admitting and/or adopting animals, observing and evaluating the health and condition of animals and assisting in euthanasia activities when necessary. Job responsibilities require good interpersonal, organizational and decision making skills, experience in animal control activities and working with animals, knowledge of all state regulations and local ordinances governing the care and treatment of animals, ability to consistently adhere to established operational policies and procedures and sufficient strength and agility to perform the physically demanding aspects of the job in a variety of weather conditions. Job performance is evaluated by the Animal Shelter Director through review of the effectiveness of animal handling and control activities, ability to effectively supervise and direct the activities of volunteers, knowledge of state regulations and local ordinances governing animal control activities, level of support provided for shelter operations, and organizational, interpersonal and decision making skills.


Illustrative Examples of Work
-Consistently adheres to established operational policies and procedures to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Animal Shelter.
-Assists with supervising and directing the daily activities of all volunteers and trustees when necessary.
-Assists with performing required administrative duties such as logging calls, preparing surrender forms, bite reports, etc.
-Assists with ensuring the cleanliness and proper maintenance of the animal shelter and recommending the procurement of maintenance services when necessary.
-Ensures the humane handling and care of all animals taken in by the animal shelter and ensures that each animal's nutritional and housing needs are met on a daily basis.
-Assists the public with the admission and adoption of animals and promotes responsible pet ownership at all times.
-Observes and evaluates animals for signs of illness and reports symptoms to the appropriate personnel.
-Administers medications and assists with restraining animals during euthanasia under the supervision of the Veterinary Medical Assistant and/or Director.
-Assists the public with completing application forms and makes assessments of their ability to adequately care for adopted pets.
-Interacts with pet owners and the public when dealing with stray or abandoned animals and animals that have been hurt or have bitten someone.
-Assists with educates the public on the law and ordinances pertaining to animal ownership and control.
-Assists with compiling statistics, maintaining records and preparing reports of shelter activities, animal dispositions and animal control activities.
-Assists with the intake of animals and the day to day showing and adoption of animals.
-Assists in ascertaining the health and disposition of animals brought to the animal shelter.
-Assists with ensuring a proper inventory of all supplies and equipment required for animal control and shelter operations; re-stocks and runs errands when necessary.
-Performs related duties as required.