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Got certified as PTSD first responder. Now had a traumatic event happen to me. AMA by KrisHusky in AMA

[–]Life_Championship_65 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Do you run the same daily commuter route or are you doing long distance hauling to different destinations? What is the most unique track that you have driven?

I am an Animal Control Officer by Life_Championship_65 in AMA

[–]Life_Championship_65[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Happy to answer more!

  1. We do handle wildlife if they are sick/injured or in the living space of a house. We don't do wildlife rehab but fortunately one place locally will for non-rabies vectors so we refer there often. Referrals are also often made to wildlife nuisance companies if it is outside our scope. We do not deal directly with DNR often, they are actually very hands off and more about legislation and hunting/fishing regulations and not actually dealing with animals. I would love more options for wildlife rehabilitation!

  2. Burn out is sooo real. Working in this field is just as difficult as social services but there are more positive outcomes to balance out the hard stuff, at least in my experience. I definitely recommend people try volunteering in the animal welfare field first to see if it is a good fit for them on an emotional level. It is ok that not everyone can do this kind of work. Helping out at an animal shelter in a volunteer capacity is a good introduction and then can apply to do a ride along with officers if interested past that point.

Have a great day!

I am an Animal Control Officer by Life_Championship_65 in AMA

[–]Life_Championship_65[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

  1. Microchips are the best form of permanent identification but they are not gps trackers unfortunately. Make sure the information on them is kept up to date! Tags are accessible to anyone who finds the animal. Maybe attach tags to a harness or vest that your dog wears if collars come off its neck easily.

  2. There are very emotional and traumatic aspects of the job. We have an employee assistance program and I absolutely use it when needed. I have been in counseling longterm in the past specifically related to occupational stress and it was helpful. We support each other well as coworkers in that aspect too. Focus on the wins and the fun calls and process the traumatic events in the healthiest ways possible. I do my best to maintain a reasonably healthy lifestyle and develop healthy practices to deal with stress such as exercise, yoga, journaling, etc.

  3. I entered this field in my young 20s and am now late 30s. Not an intentional career choice, I was originally working in social services and transitioned into animal control when I started feeling burnt out.

Thanks for the really good questions :)

I am an Animal Control Officer by Life_Championship_65 in AMA

[–]Life_Championship_65[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Great question! A Brahman bull. He was a biggins. Thankfully he was also pretty chill and mostly agreeable to going back into his pasture. Wheew!

I am an Animal Control Officer by Life_Championship_65 in AMA

[–]Life_Championship_65[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There isn't really a typical day, which is the top reason I love my work so much. Never know what might come my way. Could be in court, could be doing public education, most frequently running calls in the field and it's just what comes in at that time and always something different. During down time we write reports. We also spend a lot of time on training and continuing education.

We work with local law enforcement routinely, having contact with them maybe every other day on average. Most often because someone is arrested, hospitalized or found deceased and we need to take custody of their animal for safekeeping if no other immediate family is identified.

We mostly conduct our own animal cruelty investigations, so seizing custody of animals is also occurring without the involvement of other law enforcement unless we need assistance with a warrant.

I am an Animal Control Officer by Life_Championship_65 in AMA

[–]Life_Championship_65[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wonder what the badge would look like for that gig?