Animal Care Specialist (91T)
- Enlisted
- Active Duty
- Army Reserve
Medical care is provided not only to all men and women in the Army, but to all animals as well. Government-owned patrol dogs, ceremonial horses, sled dogs and sea mammals all need quality care in order to keep working as hard as they do in the Army.
As an integral member of the Army veterinary team, the Animal Care Specialist supervises or provides care, management, treatment and sanitary conditions for Army animals under the supervision of a Veterinary Corps officer.
Training:
Job training for an Animal Care Specialist consists of nine weeks of Basic Training, where you’ll learn basic Soldiering skills, and seven to 52 weeks of Advanced Individual Training, including practice in animal care. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Some of the skills you learn are:
- Patient care techniques
- Emergency medical techniques
- Methods of sterilizing surgical equipment
- Plaster-casting techniques
Helpful Skills:
Helpful attributes include:
- An interest in general science and biology
- An interest in helping others
- An ability to work under stressful or emergency conditions
- An ability to follow directions precisely
Advanced Responsibilities:
Advanced level Animal Care Specialists supervise and train other Soldiers within the same discipline.
