*sigh* I just wish I knew what I wanted...

[Saeleofu]

Some days I'm still all psyched about being an SD trainer, going to Bergin, and all that.

And then some days I'm just burned out on the whole thing. It's taking so freaking long and I'm to the point I just want to be done. I want to either start training now, or forget about it. I'm really having a hard time even getting the motivation to apply for Bergin, and that needs to be done soon - within the next couple months - if I'm going to be going this fall.

And lately, I've been really regretting not going to the other college in town and getting a Zoo Science degree. Like, really, really regretting it. I've been checking out some openings on the AZA website. Some require a degree, some don't. some require any degree, and not an animal related degree.

I really enjoyed working and volunteering at the zoo. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I starting to lean towards being a zookeeper, instead of a service dog trainer (except for my own SDs of course).

But then, I feel like a failure for not wanting to pursue my own SD program anymore. There's a huge, HUGE need for the dogs I want to train, and there is currently nobody there to meet that need. But the idea of running a program and all the headaches that come with it just overwhelm me, even just thinking about it. I don't know that I'm cut out for that.

And then sometimes I wish I just had a regular 9-5 desk job, but I know I'd be bored to tears with that.

 

[CharlieDog]

I know how you feel totally. I got my packet for Bergin in the mail, and I was just like, do I really want to pursue this? Or do I want something different? Ugh.

If you want to talk, just pm me and tell me to get on yahoo, lol.

 

[Fran101]

I think that happens anytime you are getting ready to take make a risky move, People automatically kind of step back and think about taking that safer option. THe road more frequently traveled and all that lol

I think you would be an amazing service dog trainer and would create a very special one of a kind program.. as you said, there is a need and I think you would be brilliant
I just googled and bergin looks like such an amazing place!

BUT if you are feeling like you want to try something else.. than just do what you think would make you happy long term. What you really want to do for the rest of your life
IMO zoo keeping will always be there.. isn't it really hard to get into bergin? or admission pretty limited?

Worse comes to worse, bergin isn't for you and you leave and try the zoo keeper thing lol it happens! or vice versa, you do zookeeping and later want to apply and try your hand at SD training

I am graduating with an animal science degree with NO intention of being a vet lol woops..I figured that out 2 years into the animal science program lol

Whichever choice you make, you're gonna rock at it. It'll all work out in the end somehow
I think you would make a great zookeeper and if that makes you happy than its your life and you should go with it!
but I also think that the program you will create will be more than "great" and while I know a lot of people would make great zoo keepers.. there are very very few (probably none) that would create a program the likes of what you would like to.

 

[lizzybeth727]

I was just like, do I really want to pursue this? Or do I want something different? Ugh.

One thing I've found as a service dog trainer, is that the trainers who stick around for more than a year or two are the ones who are REALLY driven. Some friends of mine and I are "those trainers" who have been dreaming of training dogs since we were little, soaked up any training tips wherever we could get them.... I work full-time training dogs, I work part-time training people to train their dogs, then go home and read dog forums, train my own dogs, watch training videos, read training books, etc. I've also outlasted almost all the other trainers at my organization, and most of the pet dog/service dog trainers I know outside my organization. And I've only been training professionally for 7 years.

It's a difficult job - physically, mentally - not only do you have the daunting task of asking animals to reason through incredibly complex behaviors while not, you know, biting anybody, but you have to do this in a nonprofit setting. Working for a nonprofit means you have to be ready to fundraise and/or do PR for your organization at all times, which means you have to be incredibly nice to everybody outside of your close coworkers. You have to be able to handle volunteers, who always mean well but usually have no clue how to do anything. And keep in mind that all of your coworkers are just as passionate about the mission as you are.... which means that you will butt heads A LOT. And in return, you will make literally almost enough money to live off of.

And to think of RUNNING an organization? You couldn't pay me enough.

[Can you tell I had a bad day at work today??]

Anyway, it's definately always scary to make a big life change, especially one that requires a long time committment. It's always a lot easier to stay where you are in life and continue chugging along.

But, IME, there will come a time, or a situation, or an opportunity, and you'll just KNOW that you're supposed to jump on it, no matter how crazy or risky it sounds. If you're passionate about what you want to do, it WILL be the right decision, you'll know it when you see it.

Good luck!

 

[Saeleofu]

CD, I completely neglected to download yahoo on my new computer >.< I'm doing that now lol. Hopefully now it'll let me, you know, see words :rofl1:

Anyway, it's definately always scary to make a big life change, especially one that requires a long time committment. It's always a lot easier to stay where you are in life and continue chugging along.

See, it's not that I don't want change - I desperately want change. I hate where I live, I hate where I work. I'm so done being HERE that I'd really rather be ANYWHERE, even just 3 hours away in Tulsa or something.

If I could find a job training SDs with a program, where they'd hire me as an apprentice and train me on the job, I think that'd be fun. But the idea of running a program has always scared the crap out of me. Even running a small business is daunting, let alone a whole freaking 501(c)3 program :yikes: I just don't think I have the energy for it. I do have limits - I'd like to think I don't, but I really do. Some weeks working part-time and training for someone part-time about does me in. Other weeks I get so much done and have no idea how or when.

Let's face it, being a zookeeper doesn't pay much either. But I KNOW I enjoy the work. I know that I can go to work at 7am, work all day, and go home at 7pm and be just fine with it, because I've done it, and I LOVED it. I so wish I had time to volunteer at the zoo still. 95% of it is picking up poo, hosing off poo, sweeping up poo, etc, but still, I enjoy it.

I am graduating with an animal science degree with NO intention of being a vet lol woops..I figured that out 2 years into the animal science program lol

Yeah, I went through 2 years of pre-vet and then decided no way was that what I wanted to do...working in a vet clinic has made me never, EVER regret the decision to not go that route. It's not for me. Being an assistant is doable, but being a vet - nope, I'll pass. But I should have at least finished my bio major (I did get a minor in biology). Of all things I changed to PSYCHOLOGY as a major. Big fat huge stupid mistake. Interesting classes, yes, but worthless degree.

Maybe I could just train a couple SDs on the side for people on a case-by-case basis. Take on one dog at a time, until training is finished, take breaks between dogs at my own pace, etc.. At least I would be helping some people then, even if I can't help them all.

 

[Fran101]

Before the program I have just signed up for was a program.. it was just that, one trainer, one client.
It evolved from there because of word of mouth, socialization workshops, other trainers wanting to shadow/intern. but it is still very small and selective..

I like the idea of just starting small, training for a few people on the side. Its still such an amazing accomplishment and there is no pressure of this huge PROGRAM, if its too much, you simply stop.

From what it sounds like, I think zoo keeping is a great choice for you. Being a business owner and all that stuff isn't for everyone, its TOUGH running and managing all that, I can't even imagine but I assume that is probably half the battle (funding, paper work etc..etc.)
but with zoo keeping, you can have your steady job that you LOVE and then if you feel you can, you can take on training with a dog on your own terms.

You will figure it out! If it were me, I would start with zoo keeping and apply everywhere I can find a zoo that I really love, but I think might still attend the school for a course or two, it looks so interesting!

 

[lizzybeth727]

If I could find a job training SDs with a program, where they'd hire me as an apprentice and train me on the job, I think that'd be fun. But the idea of running a program has always scared the crap out of me. Even running a small business is daunting, let alone a whole freaking 501(c)3 program :yikes: I just don't think I have the energy for it.

See, my problem is, I want to train dogs. And I've seen a lot of organizations that are started by trainers, but at some point early on in the organization's life (if the organization is growing, at least), the founder has to stop training dogs. The founder's job is mostly fund-raising and being the "face" of the organization. NOT what I want to do.... so I'll probably never start my own organization.

 

[Riobravo]

Hi
I'm new here, but I've worked as a zookeeper for about 5 years if you have any questions or anything I can do to help you with the decision, let me know!

Sara