Starting Your Career As A Marine Mammal Trainer

Reader reviewed by Steven Trainer

Reviewed by Jackie Jaakola
"Soundings", International Marine Animal Trainer's Association

Starting Your Career As A Marine Mammal Trainer is appropriate reading for anyone entertaining thoughts of going into the marine animal training field. It provides pros and cons clearly and up-front.

The book begins with background information on marine mammals – from what they are to how they are classified scientifically. It then proceeds to a “no-bones-about-it” description of the life and times of a marine mammal trainer. The author discusses realities in the work environment relating to salary, hours, benefits, advantages and disadvantages of this vocation. Included is dialogue on the art and mechanics of training.

From there the author proceeds in trying to set the reader up for success along this line of employment, answering many commonly asked questions. He stresses education, experience, ability, attitude and commitment. Included also are twenty pages of “Inside Tips” for help with a marine mammal trainer job search. The end of the book includes an index of facilities world-wide that house marine mammals with their names and contact information.

This book can be recommended to students or fans of marine mammal training of all ages. It is planned out well, easy-to-read, informative in answers to questions, and provides an honest look at life as a budding marine mammal trainer. Starting Your Career As A Marine Mammal Trainer can even help professionals already in the field guide their apprentices.

Reprinted here with author's permission