Specialist Animal Professionals

While companion animals represent the most familiar area of animal care for many occupational therapists, Australia’s animal care industry encompasses numerous specialised sectors. Each sector has developed unique expertise in animal behaviour, welfare, training, husbandry, health management and human–animal interactions.

Professionals working within these industries often collaborate with veterinarians, behaviourists, trainers, researchers, government agencies and educators. Although their primary focus may differ from assistance animals, many possess valuable knowledge that can contribute to interdisciplinary care, welfare assessment and professional education.

Racing and Performance Animals

The racing and performance industries employ a wide range of professionals responsible for maintaining the health, welfare and performance of horses and greyhounds.

Examples include:

• racehorse trainers;
• greyhound trainers;
• stablehands;
• kennel attendants;
• track riders;
• jockeys;
• harness racing drivers;
• equine and canine physiotherapists;
• farriers;
• equine dentists;
• racing veterinarians;
• racing stewards;
• racing integrity officers; and
• retirement and rehoming organisations.

These professionals have expertise in:

• conditioning and fitness;
• injury prevention;
• behaviour;
• nutrition;
• husbandry;
• biosecurity;
• welfare monitoring;
• retirement planning; and
• transitioning retired racing animals into companion or working homes.

Many retired greyhounds successfully transition into assistance, therapy or companion animal roles following appropriate behavioural assessment and training.

Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation

Wildlife rescue organisations provide emergency rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured, orphaned and displaced native wildlife.

Examples include:

• WIRES;
• ORRCA (Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia);
• Australian Seabird Rescue;
• Wildlife Victoria;
• Native Animal Rescue;
• Wildcare Australia;
• Bonorong Wildlife Rescue;
• Fauna Rescue SA;
• Animal Rescue Cooperative (ARC); and
• numerous licensed local wildlife rehabilitation groups.

Professionals and volunteers may include:

• wildlife veterinarians;
• wildlife carers;
• wildlife rehabilitation coordinators;
• marine mammal rescue specialists;
• reptile handlers;
• bat carers;
• bird rehabilitators;
• wildlife transport volunteers;
• rescue hotline operators; and
• wildlife educators.

These organisations require specialised knowledge of:

• native animal biology;
• rehabilitation;
• disease management;
• quarantine;
• release assessment;
• conservation; and
• species-specific welfare.

Zoos, Aquariums and Captive Wildlife Facilities

Modern zoological institutions play important roles in conservation, research, education and animal welfare.

Examples include:

• Taronga Conservation Society Australia;
• Zoos Victoria;
• Australia Zoo;
• Monarto Safari Park;
• Adelaide Zoo;
• Perth Zoo;
• Melbourne Zoo;
• SEA LIFE aquariums;
• Sydney Zoo; and
• regional wildlife parks.

Professional roles include:

• zoo keepers;
• aquarists;
• wildlife nutritionists;
• behavioural enrichment specialists;
• conservation biologists;
• zoo veterinarians;
• veterinary nurses;
• reproductive specialists;
• education officers;
• life support technicians (aquariums); and
• welfare scientists.

Responsibilities include:

• husbandry;
• behavioural enrichment;
• breeding programmes;
• conservation;
• public education;
• exhibit design;
• welfare assessment;
• veterinary care; and
• species recovery programmes.

Agricultural Animal Industries

Agricultural industries employ professionals responsible for the welfare, management and production of livestock.

Examples include:

• cattle producers;
• sheep producers;
• dairy farmers;
• pig producers;
• poultry producers;
• alpaca breeders;
• goat producers;
• working dog handlers;
• livestock transport operators;
• livestock agents;
• agricultural veterinarians;
• livestock nutritionists;
• animal scientists; and
• biosecurity officers.

Educational and public-facing facilities include:

• petting zoos;
• children’s farms;
• agricultural shows;
• mobile animal farms;
• educational farms;
• demonstration farms; and
• agritourism enterprises.

These professionals possess expertise in:

• husbandry;
• reproduction;
• nutrition;
• biosecurity;
• welfare;
• disease prevention;
• behaviour; and
• safe public interactions with livestock.

Education and Training

Animal professionals also contribute to education across vocational, higher education and industry settings.

Examples include:

• TAFE teachers;
• university lecturers;
• registered training organisation (RTO) trainers;
• workplace assessors;
• clinical educators;
• veterinary teaching staff;
• animal behaviour instructors;
• assistance animal trainers;
• agricultural educators; and
• zoo education officers.

These professionals develop and deliver education in:

• animal care;
• behaviour;
• training;
• welfare;
• veterinary nursing;
• agriculture;
• zoology;
• conservation;
• assistance animals; and
• professional practice.

Research and Laboratory Animal Science

Animals are also involved in scientific, veterinary and biomedical research conducted within universities, hospitals, government agencies and research institutes.

Professional roles include:

• laboratory animal technicians;
• laboratory animal veterinarians;
• research scientists;
• animal welfare officers;
• facility managers;
• ethics committee members;
• veterinarians;
• veterinary nurses; and
• comparative medicine specialists.

Research may involve:

• biomedical science;
• veterinary medicine;
• behaviour;
• nutrition;
• genetics;
• neuroscience;
• rehabilitation;
• public health;
• One Health research; and
• development of new medical treatments.

Animal use is governed by strict ethical and legislative frameworks, including Animal Ethics Committees (AECs), the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes and state and territory animal welfare legislation. Contemporary research places strong emphasis on the 3Rs principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement, which aim to minimise animal use and maximise welfare.

Entertainment and Exhibition Animals

Animals may also be involved in public entertainment, education and exhibition settings.

Examples include:

• film and television productions;
• advertising;
• live theatre;
• educational demonstrations;
• historical re-enactments;
• wildlife displays;
• falconry demonstrations;
• pet expos; and
• agricultural exhibitions.

Historically, circuses featured performing animals; however, the use of wild animals in circuses has been prohibited or heavily restricted in most Australian jurisdictions. Contemporary circuses operating in Australia generally no longer use wild animals, reflecting changing community expectations regarding animal welfare.

Professionals working in these sectors require expertise in:

• animal behaviour;
• welfare;
• transport;
• training;
• enrichment;
• public safety;
• legislative compliance; and
• risk management.

Occupational Therapy Considerations

Although occupational therapists working with assistance animals may have limited direct involvement with many of these specialist sectors, understanding the broader animal industry provides valuable context for interdisciplinary collaboration and referral. Professionals from wildlife rehabilitation, zoological institutions, agriculture, education, research and racing industries possess highly specialised knowledge in areas such as behaviour, welfare, enrichment, conditioning, biosecurity and husbandry that may inform best practice across animal-assisted services.

An appreciation of these diverse professional roles also enables occupational therapists to critically evaluate animal welfare considerations, recognise sector-specific expertise and collaborate effectively with specialists when supporting clients who interact with animals across a range of occupational, educational, recreational and therapeutic contexts.