The number one reason people choose a career working with animals is because they care deeply about them. Healing, training, and overseeing an animal's welfare are major concerns to people in this field. People who work with animals are also willing to go the extra mile. They will work long hours when needed, and they put their hearts and souls into their work.

From rescue work to repairing a broken leg to making sure that animal actors are treated fairly — all are part of a typical day for some animal service workers. At the American Humane, reps are hired to watch over animal actors, ranging from ants to elephants. Even cockroaches are not harmed.

The effects of caring individuals are being seen in the improvements in animal welfare at zoos. Life in captivity is changing. Just thirty years ago, zoos were like prisons. But today, because people have a hunger to learn about exotic animals and how they live, zoos and wildlife centers are designed to simulate the animals' habitats. People who visit zoos, as well as those who work with the animals in them, want the best environments for the animals. No one wants to see an animal in a small cage with steel bars.

Animal service workers also care deeply about people. Even those who work in research laboratories or in Crime Scene Investigation units interact with people. Animal caretakers must be compassionate about animals and people.