Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
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Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services, Other.: The DTI for this program is 75.1%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $22249) to the average debt ($16712) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 75.1%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($22249) against the typical student debt ($16712), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services, Other., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $22249, with grads carrying about $16712 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.75—which is manageable for most.
Each year, over 1217 students complete this major, so you’ll have plenty of peers to connect with. Whether you’re motivated by salary, job outlook, or the chance to build something meaningful, Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services, Other. can help you get there. Make the most of your college years by seeking out hands-on experiences and building your network.
Degree Overview
Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services, Other (CIP 01.0599) is a versatile category that covers specialized support services for animals in agricultural, residential, and commercial settings. While traditional animal science focuses on production, this "Other" category is often the home for emerging or niche professional services such as animal-assisted therapy, professional grooming management, canine search and rescue training, and specialized livestock services like farrier science (horseshoeing) or professional sheep shearing.
This field is ideal for "animal service entrepreneurs"—individuals who want a hands-on career providing essential care, training, or therapeutic services that bridge the gap between animal biology and human needs.
What Is an Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services (Other) Degree?
A degree or certificate in this category focuses on the practical application of animal care and handling. Because it is categorized as "Other," these programs are often highly vocational and skill-based. You might study animal behavior modification for service dogs, the business of equine facility management, or the technical skills required for specialized agricultural services. It is a field that prioritizes "doing"—mastering the physical techniques required to work safely and effectively with animals.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Professional Trainers" for service, therapy, and working animals
- Develop experts in Animal Facility Operations for boarding, daycare, and grooming businesses
- Prepare specialists in Livestock Services who travel to farms to provide specialized care
- Study the "Human-Animal Bond" to facilitate therapeutic programs in hospitals or schools
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that providing high-quality animal services requires a mix of biological knowledge, physical skill, and business savvy.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Advanced Animal Handling and restraint techniques for various species
- Use "Positive Reinforcement" and other evidence-based training methodologies
- Perform basic medical screenings and "First Aid" for domestic and agricultural animals
- Manage Sanitation and Biosecurity protocols to prevent the spread of disease in facilities
- Develop "Client Communication" skills to consult with pet owners and farmers
- Understand the business fundamentals of scheduling, insurance, and service pricing
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a blend of animal behavior, health, and business management:
- Animal Training Theory: The psychology of how animals learn and respond to cues.
- Grooming and Aesthetics: The technical skills for maintaining the skin, coat, and hoof health of animals.
- Facility Design: Learning how to build and manage safe, low-stress environments for animals.
- Animal Nutrition and Wellness: Understanding the dietary needs of companion and working animals.
- Equine/Livestock Support: Specialized services like farrier work, dental floating, or shearing.
- Small Business Management: The "nuts and bolts" of running an animal-based service company.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles as service providers, trainers, and business managers.
Common job roles include:
- Service Dog Trainer: Preparing animals to assist individuals with disabilities.
- Pet Grooming Business Manager: Overseeing the operations of a high-end salon or mobile unit.
- Animal-Assisted Therapy Coordinator: Managing programs that bring animals into therapeutic settings.
- Professional Farrier/Specialist: Providing specialized hoof or coat care for livestock.
- Boarding Facility Director: Managing the staff and safety of "pet hotels" or stables.
- Animal Control/Welfare Officer: Providing public service and enforcement for animal-related laws.
Where Can You Work?
Animal service specialists are found in any environment where animals live or work:
- Private Training Centers: Working with pets or specialized working dogs.
- Agricultural Operations: Providing contract services to farms and ranches.
- Non-Profit Organizations: Leading service dog foundations or animal rescues.
- Retail and Hospitality: Working in the rapidly growing "pet luxury" and travel sector.
- Hospitals and Schools: Coordinating animal-assisted intervention and therapy visits.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings vary significantly based on the type of service provided and whether the individual is self-employed.
- Animal Trainers: Median annual salary of approximately $40,000–$60,000, with specialists earning more.
- Facility Managers: Salaries typically range from $45,000 to $70,000.
- Specialized Service Providers (e.g., Farriers): Can earn $50,000 to over $100,000 as independent contractors.
- Entry-Level Caregivers: Often start between $30,000 and $38,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the physical labor and patience required. You must be prepared to work on your feet, handle animals that may be stressed or aggressive, and work in outdoor or loud indoor environments. It requires a high level of physical coordination and the "resilience" to work with animals that do not always follow instructions. You must also be a "people person," as you will be dealing with owners and clients constantly.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Want a career where you are "active" and working with your hands every day
- Have a natural "knack" for communicating with animals and reading their body language
- Are interested in running your own business one day
- Want to see immediate, tangible results from your work with animals
- Care about the daily welfare and happiness of animals in human care
How to Prepare in High School
- Take classes in Biology, Business, and Psychology
- Volunteer at a local animal shelter, training club, or horse barn
- Gain experience in customer service; animal services are also "people" services
- Join an FFA chapter and participate in "Small Animal Care" or "Equine Science" events
- Practice your observation skills by learning to identify different animal breeds and their traits
The ability to provide high-level, specialized care and training that enhances the lives of animals and their owners is the hallmark of a successful animal service professional.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor