Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: The Role of the Trainer
• Part 2 of 3: Necessary Education and Training
• Part 3 of 3: Finding a Job

As a dolphin trainer, you will be responsible for the health and performance of the captive dolphins. You will feed them, clean their pool and teach them to entertain the public. Although captive dolphins are often used for public entertainment, these animals can also help convince people that marine mammals and other aquatic life need our protection and conservation in the wild. To become a successful dolphin trainer, you must have an academic background in behavioral and biological sciences. You must also have the necessary experience, training and willingness to work.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: The Role of the Trainer

1. 1 Understand the perspectives of your profession. The dolphin trainer often works overtime and is mostly in the water with the animals or walks around the pool talking to the public. This is a sought-after profession, but not for everyone. The competition for the position is quite high and you will need to distinguish yourself from a huge number of applicants.
   • The average salary for a dolphin trainer is different for each institution. The salary for the entry-level position is $ 18,000-20,000 per year.To stay financially stable, many trainers have a second source of income.
   • The more experience you have as a trainer, the higher your salary will be. A trainer with 8-12 years of experience can earn from 25 to 40 thousand dollars a year. Many trainers remain faithful to the profession because of their love of working with dolphins and the opportunity to form long-term relationships with them.
2. 2 Know what to expect from being a trainer. The dolphin trainer's job will often be cooking, feeding the dolphins and cleaning their pool. Dolphins are fed three times a day: in the morning, at noon and in the late afternoon.
   • Trainers are also required to provide the animals with all the necessary vitamins and medicines during their daily dolphin inspection. A daily inspection is carried out at the beginning of each working day. During it, the body of the dolphin is examined, and the need for medical assistance to the animal is assessed.
   • Training also involves the psychological and physical stimulation of dolphins through training. As a trainer, you must be enthusiastic and energetic when working with dolphins. This is necessary for the development of existing as well as new types of behavior. If you work in a research facility, you can observe and study dolphins, or you can showcase their skills and capabilities to the public if you work in an entertainment center.
3. 3 Consider the pros and cons of the profession. Despite the fact that every child, having visited a show with dolphins, dreams of becoming a trainer, in reality it is quite hard work. You will have to clean and maintain order in the huge pool where dolphins live, as well as work in the sun during the hot summer. Due to the fact that you will be working with energetic and highly developed animals, you will have to adjust your schedule to the needs of the dolphins, which will lead to irregular working hours. You may also need to work on weekends and holidays because dolphins need daily food and care.
   • But this profession has its advantages as well. For example, you can build long-term relationships with dolphins and be able to interact closely with these amazing animals every day. You will also work in a team of trainers and support each other while teaching and learning from dolphins.

Part 2 of 3: Necessary Education and Training

1. 1 In high school, focus on math and science. In order to prepare in advance for the profession of a trainer, you should try to do well in biology and mathematics while still in high school. If your school has zoology classes, sign up for them and try to be excellent.
   • A solid background in science and mathematics will make it easier for you to earn your bachelor's degree.
2. 2 Earn a bachelor's degree in biology, marine biology, or zoology. While some entry-level positions may be accepted on the basis of a high school diploma, a bachelor's degree will help you improve your chances of becoming a trainer.
   • Many trainers have graduated in biology, marine biology, psychology, or animal behavior / zoology. A Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences will provide you with a good starting point, giving you the knowledge and experience that any good dolphin trainer needs.
   • In Florida, the College of Marine Mammal Professions has a two-year program aimed at gaining theoretical and practical experience in working with dolphins. Also, at Moorpark College in California, which offers a two-year program of study, you can get an education specializing in the training of exotic animals, including dolphins.
3. 3 Find out if your local zoo or aquarium has volunteer programs or animal training internships. You can gain a rewarding experience in working with animals by signing up for an internship at a zoo, aquarium, veterinary clinic, wildlife rehabilitation center or animal shelter. You can start doing this during your school years or while studying for a bachelor's degree.
   • Having first-hand experience in the work environment will help you better understand your responsibilities when working with animals. This will help you determine if you have the patience, perseverance, and reliability that a dolphin trainer needs. Volunteering and internships will also allow you to develop connections with people working in the field.
   • Be aware that most trainees are not allowed to come into direct contact with animals, so they often only need to observe and give a little help. Find volunteer programs that focus specifically on dolphin training. This will be a great practice for your future career.
4. 4 Get your scuba certification. Very often, getting a job training dolphins requires that the candidate be able to swim well, as it is often necessary to work with a dolphin directly in the water. Good snorkeling and diving skills will set you apart from other applicants for the position.
   • You can take a basic diving certification program or take additional courses and get a higher level qualification. Most of the programs are a combination of theoretical teaching, testing and specialized training with underwater equipment, which takes place in a pool or in open water. Some programs will also teach you how to breathe and first aid, which can be useful when working in a marine animal facility, with other trainers, and when working with the public.
   • Many dolphin training institutions conduct a swimming test. This is part of the recruitment process and some institutions only hire trainers who are certified diving.
5. 5 Improve your public speaking skills. If you are a dolphin trainer, you may need to educate the public about these animals and their nature. You should have developed public speaking skills and should not be afraid to speak in front of an audience. Having good conversational skills will set you apart as a person capable of communicating with both humans and dolphins.
   • Many specialized dolphin training programs include courses in public speaking. You can also enroll in courses at your local college or university to hone your public speaking skills.
6. 6 Be in good physical shape. Physical fitness is very important for the trainer, as you must be physically developed enough to work in the aquatic environment on a daily basis. In addition, to be a good swimmer, you should also do cardio and endurance exercises regularly. As a trainer, you must be able to cope with the daily pressures and also not feel tired and exhausted with the daily duties of a trainer.
   • In addition to cardio and strength training, you should also include swimming in your weekly workout regimen. This will help you maintain the necessary level of fitness that a dolphin trainer should have.

Part 3 of 3: Finding a Job

1. 1 Join the organization of the trainers of marine mammals. As a member of organizations such as the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) or the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association (IMATA), you will be up to date with the latest developments and connect with your peers. ...You will get access to the latest news and literature on animal training, as well as attend training seminars and improve your knowledge and experience.
   • The association also provides an excellent networking opportunity with other trainers and potential employers.
2. 2 Apply for an entry-level position. Once you have acquired the necessary education and practical experience, you can start looking for an entry-level position. Depending on your interests, you can apply to a research center in order to observe dolphins and communicate with them for scientific research. Alternatively, you can get a job at an entertainment establishment where you will demonstrate dolphin behavior in front of an audience, as well as introduce viewers to information about these animals.
   • Keep in mind that there is a lot of competition for entry-level positions, so apply for multiple positions at once. Make sure your resume and cover letter lists your strengths, including your education, your volunteer and trainee experience, and your good swimmer skills.
3. 3 Consider getting the position through your volunteer or internship program. Many volunteer programs and internships can end up in a full-time position, so don't be afraid to take advantage of your existing contacts. If you are confident in your work as a trainee or volunteer and there is a vacancy at the institution, let your boss know that you are interested in a full-time trainer.
4. 4 Be prepared to observe and learn from more experienced trainers. Once you get into the entry-level position, you will have to learn from more experienced trainers and go through a long training period for the profession before moving on to more difficult training with dolphins. By observing and learning from more experienced trainers, you will become familiar with the personality of each dolphin and learn different training techniques to suit the dolphin's needs.
   • After a few weeks of training and repeating the techniques of working with other trainers, you will be able to feed and communicate with the dolphin under the supervision of an experienced trainer. Over time, you will learn to communicate with dolphins using gestures.
   • As you gain experience, you can teach dolphins new behaviors and improve the interaction of dolphins with the public. The speed of your career as a dolphin trainer depends on your past experience, how well you interact with dolphins, and your confidence in your knowledge and skills as a trainer.