Animal Science | Dawson Community College

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 39-2021.00

Skills

MonitoringReading ComprehensionActive ListeningCoordinationService OrientationJudgment and Decision Making

Knowledge

Customer and Personal ServiceAdministrativeEnglish Language

Abilities

Oral ComprehensionOral ExpressionProblem SensitivityInformation OrderingStatic StrengthNear VisionDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningTrunk StrengthSpeech Recognition

Tasks

Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
Provide treatment to sick or injured animals, or contact veterinarians to secure treatment.
Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury.
Scuba dive in aquariums to perform exhibit maintenance.
Train volunteers and facility staff.

Technology

Data base user interface and query softwareCalendar and scheduling softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail software

Tools

Air purifying respiratorsAlgae scrapersAmmonia test kitsAnimal cagesAnimal clippersAnimal cratesAnimal handling glovesAnimal handling sleevesAnimal harnessesAnimal muzzlesAnimal nail clippersAnimal nail filesAnimal nail grindersAquarium filtersAquarium heaters

Work Values

RelationshipsSupportIndependenceAchievementWorking ConditionsRecognition

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET + BLS

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: medium39-2021.00	Animal Caretakers	title_inference	—	—	—

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: developing (Level 2)(based on Associate's Degree)

Daily feeding and watering rounds — manage independently across multiple animal enclosures in a boarding, shelter, or zoo setting.
Sick or injured animals — assess observed symptoms and administer basic first-aid treatments or contact veterinary staff with a clear situation report.
Animal behavior and physical condition — monitor routinely during shifts and identify deviations from normal baselines without prompting.
Medicated food supplements and prescribed liquid formulas — prepare accurately for multiple species using facility instructions and prior experience.
Animal health records including treatments, medications, and weight trends — update and maintain using facility database or spreadsheet software.
Enclosure sanitation and laundry cycles — coordinate and complete on schedule, adapting workflow when animal populations fluctuate.
Patron and client questions about animal care, breeding habits, and facility programs — address confidently using working knowledge of species under care.
Supervised exercise and enrichment sessions — design and lead for individual animals based on species needs and veterinary guidance.
Calendar and scheduling software — use to track feeding, medication, and exercise appointments across a daily or weekly roster.
Coordination with team members during shift transitions — communicate animal status updates clearly to ensure continuity of care.

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.