ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Working Animals Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

U.S. Army

Working Dog Handler (U.S. Army)

Suffolk, VA · On-site

$12.25 - $15.75/hr

If you're interested in working with animals or law enforcement as a profession, being a Soldier in the U.S. Army as a Working Dog Handler might be right for you. Military Working Dog (MWD) handlers ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsWorking Animals JobsWorking Animals Jobs in Virginia

Working Animals information

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

Working animals roles such as professional dog trainers, equine handlers, or animal rescue coordinators can sometimes pay around $4,000 weekly, especially with experience and specialized skills. These jobs often require certifications, physical stamina, and knowledge of animal behavior, and may involve working long hours or in outdoor environments.

What is the job called when you work with animals?

A job involving working with animals is often called an animal caretaker, zookeeper, veterinarian, or animal trainer, depending on the specific duties. These roles typically require knowledge of animal behavior, proper handling skills, and sometimes certifications or licenses. The work environment can include zoos, farms, shelters, or research facilities.

What are some of the 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 the best job for working with animals?

Jobs involving working with animals include roles such as animal trainer, veterinarian, zookeeper, and animal shelter worker. These positions typically require relevant education, certifications, and physical stamina, and often involve working outdoors or in animal care facilities.

What are working animals?

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 thrive as an Animal Trainer working with working animals, and why are they important?

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 careers are there for animals?

Careers for animals include roles such as working animals like police dogs, service animals, therapy animals, and farm animals. These jobs often require specific training, certifications, and knowledge of animal behavior and care. Working animals are employed in environments like law enforcement, healthcare, agriculture, and entertainment.
What are popular job titles related to Working Animals jobs in Virginia? For Working Animals jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Working Animals jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Working Animals jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Working Animals jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Working Animals job openings:
Working Animals jobs near you
Infographic showing various Working Animals job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 2% Temporary. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution.
Working Dog Handler (U.S. Army)

Working Dog Handler (U.S. Army)

U.S. Army

Suffolk, VA • On-site

$12.25 - $15.75/hr

Part-time

Posted 28 days ago

United States Army rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 488 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

46th of 50 rated military and defense

Job description

If you're interested in working with animals or law enforcement as a profession, being a Soldier in the U.S. Army as a Working Dog Handler might be right for you.  
Military Working Dog (MWD) handlers are responsible for the care and training of his or her service dog, which contributes to combat operations abroad and installation security at home by providing target odor detection (explosive/drug). Service dogs, generally seen as a non-lethal option for neutralizing a threat, also serve as a psychological deterrent during law enforcement operations. 
Job Duties:
  • Patrol Drug Detector Dog (PDDD) handler
  • Patrol Explosive Detector Dog (PEDD) handler
  • Health and Welfare searches
  • Law and Order operations
  • Installation Force Protection and Law and Order support
  • VIP support
  • Customs support

Requirements:
Candidates must first take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), which is a series of tests that helps the Army understand your strengths and identify which Army job(s) fit your talents.
Training:
Job training for Military Working Dog handlers requires 17 weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT) on how to care for, handle and train a Military Working Dog (MWD). The training is in two phases. The first seven-week phase covers on-the-job instruction and teaches police methods and techniques for dog handling. The second phase of instruction is an 11-week course that provides basic instructions on the application of Military Working Dog utilization and employment capabilities. Phase II instructs in basic obedience, controlled aggression, first aid, principles of conditioning, building searches, scouting, detection, and daily care and grooming of assigned MWD.
Handlers will also learn other basic skills, including:
  • Basic use of firearms
  • Military/civil laws and jurisdiction 
  • Arrest and restraint of suspects
  • Other specialized dog handling techniques

Helpful Skills:
  • Ability to understand conditioning behaviors in training dogs
  • Ability to make quick decisions
  • Patience
  • Ability to interact with people

Future Civilian Careers:
The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career with federal, state and local law enforcement. Many of the jobs skills you learn will also help you to perform civilian jobs that involve working with animals, and general management positions.
This opportunity comes with:
  • Competitive pay.
  • Free medical care.
  • Free housing and leadership development.
  • You are also afforded the opportunity of up to $86,000 for college.

Our team is willing to help all who meet or can meet, our criteria, which includes passing the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test.
 
Eligibility:
  • Must have an interest in joining the Army.
  • 17 to 34 years old.
  • Must be able to meet height/weight requirements *See calculator below. (https://www.goarmy.com/soldier-life/fitness-and-nutrition/components-of-fitness/body-composition.html).
  • No tattoos on hands, face, or above the neck (ring tattoos are acceptable).
  • No history of a felony-level offense or DUI.
  • No major medical procedures that would prohibit you from service (please feel free to ask specific questions).
 
Interested?
  • Reply to this job post ***AND***
  • Text OB92 to GOARMY ***or*** visit (https://www.goarmy.com/info/send1/?iom=OB92-AUTO-ACNP-BR-XXX-XX-XXX-MO-XX-X-BRC).

What United States Army employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

US Army logo

About US Army

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

National security, health care and social assistance, national security and international affairs and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Arlington, VA, US

Social media

FacebookTwitter

View All US Army Jobs