Job requirements vary by state, so be prepared for several weeks of training after you graduate. You could be investigating cases of animal fighting (a felony in many places), removing a threatening animal from a neighborhood or issuing fines to owners whose dog keeps up the neighbors. Think of it as being an animal cop.

Animals that are confiscated in the course of an arrest, especially attack dogs, need to be brought to the local shelter for quarantine. Check out National Animal Control Association (NacaNet.org) for more information.

Therapy Environments

Animals can bring joy into the life of a terminally ill patient, a hospitalized child or a disaster victim. Many facilities and institutions around the country have animal-assisted therapy programs. You can start with the hospitals and school districts near you (try www.superdog.com for information on what's available in different states). See if your local hospital, hospice, nonprofit organization or school district needs help administering such programs. These animals provide a tremendous service to disabled individuals and this career is a great way to merge your interest in animals and helping others.

Guide dogs and other animals that help people with disabilities can act as eyes and ears, help give mobility to a wheelchair-bound individual and alert others when their owners have a seizure. Look at CanineCompanions.org and IAADP.org.