Introduction to Pet-Related Professions

ImmunityQ&AMeongsiljang Veterinary Advisory Board

The term "pet-related professions" refers to all specialized careers involved in caring for pets and managing their health, training, grooming, and behavior. We’ve compiled a guide covering 10 key roles—from veterinarians and trainers to pet sitters and funeral directors—along with the qualifications and pathways needed to enter each field.

What Are Pet-Related Professions?

An illustration showing professionals in pet-related fields working together.

The term "pet-related professions" collectively refers to all careers that specialize in the health, training, grooming, care, and funeral services of pets. The most important thing to note is that the qualifications and entry paths required vary significantly depending on the field. Some roles, such as veterinarians, require a national license, while others, like pet sitters, can be started with private certifications or practical experience alone. Below, we have summarized the 10 main pet-related professions at a glance, categorized by their duties, qualifications, and difficulty of entry.

Why Is Interest in Pet-Related Professions Growing?

As the number of Korean households with pets has surpassed six million, the related industry is rapidly expanding. The number of animal hospitals is increasing every year, and demand for specialized services such as training, grooming, boarding, and funeral services is also growing. Consequently, the professional landscape, once focused solely on human care, is expanding to include careers working with animals. However, because labor intensity and profit structures vary significantly across fields, many of these roles are difficult to sustain long-term based solely on a love for animals.

Comparison of 10 Pet-Related Professions at a Glance

Item	Veterinarian	Veterinary technician	Dog trainer
Required qualification	National license (6-year program)	Certification (2–4-year program)	Private certification
Entry difficulty	Very high	Moderate	Low to moderate
Typical work setting	Animal hospitals & universities	Animal hospitals	Training centers & on-site visits
Direct animal treatment	True	False	False

Summary of the three main occupations by domestic standards — see each occupation in the sections below for details

Medical Field: Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians

Veterinarian: Veterinarians are the only nationally licensed professionals authorized to diagnose, perform surgery, and prescribe medication for animals. They must graduate from a six-year veterinary college and pass the national licensing examination. Their career paths are diverse, spanning clinical practice, research, public service, and the pharmaceutical industry.

Veterinary Technician (Animal Health Technician): Veterinary technicians are specialized medical personnel who assist veterinarians in providing care. This role became a national qualification in 2021, requiring graduation from a relevant two- to four-year program and passing the national examination. Their primary duties include blood collection, assisting with anesthesia, and managing hospitalized patients.

Veterinarians and veterinary technicians working together at an animal hospital

Training and Behavior Field: Pet Trainers and Behavior Specialists

Pet Trainer: Pet trainers handle basic obedience and socialization training, such as “sit,” “stay,” and leash walking, while also providing preventive behavioral guidance and correcting behaviors that are normal but undesirable. However, issues like aggression, phobias, separation anxiety, and compulsive disorders often exceed the scope of training alone, so it’s standard practice to refer these cases to a behavioral specialist who can rule out medical causes. In Korea, most certifications are privately issued, but credentials from recognized organizations like the Korean Kennel Club or the Korean Pet Management Association carry greater credibility in professional practice.

Veterinary Behaviorist: Veterinary behaviorists take a medical approach to psychological and behavioral issues such as aggression, separation anxiety, and compulsive disorders. These problems require more than just training—they need a thorough evaluation for underlying medical causes and a structured behavior modification plan. Most veterinary behaviorists complete additional specialized training in behavior medicine after obtaining their veterinary license. There are very few board-certified veterinary behaviorists in Korea, making their expertise especially valuable.

What to Check Before Choosing a Pet-Related Profession

Among private certifications, many are issued by unclear organizations or involve excessively short training periods. Before registering, be sure to verify the certification’s registration status and issuance requirements through the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training’s Private Certification Information Service. Additionally, physically demanding roles such as dog training, grooming, and pet sitting carry risks of back and wrist injuries, as well as high levels of emotional labor. Since it often takes one to three years or more to achieve profitability, it’s advisable to plan for initial capital and career management from the start.

Care and Service Field: Pet Groomers, Pet Sitters, and Hoteliers

Pet Groomer: Responsible for bathing, haircutting, styling, and skincare. This role is based on private certifications (Grades 1–3), and the typical career path involves gaining 1–2 years of practical experience at a grooming salon before starting an independent business.

Pet Sitter/Dog Walker: Provides home visits, walks, and care services while owners are away. Although this field has the lowest initial barrier to entry, your ability to handle emergencies and ensure safety directly impacts your income.

Pet Hotelier: Operates short- and long-term boarding facilities. Investment in facilities such as adequate space, hygiene systems, and CCTV is essential.

Nutrition, Counseling, and Funeral Fields: Emerging New Professions

Pet Nutritionist: Designs customized diets based on weight and health conditions. Programs affiliated with veterinarians or the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN) are considered highly credible.

Pet Loss Counselor: A professional who supports pet owners experiencing grief and depression after losing their companion animal. This role often builds on a foundation in psychological counseling or social work, with additional training in animal-assisted interventions.

Pet Funeral Director: Manages cremation, interment, and funeral ceremonies. To operate legally, one must be employed by a business registered as an animal funeral service provider under the Animal Protection Act.

Self-Care Is Essential for Long-Term Tenure

Veterinary and pet-care professionals are widely recognized as being at high risk for compassion fatigue and burnout. Even textbooks on veterinary emergency and critical care recommend consistent self-care practices, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction, self-compassion, and maintaining connections with colleagues. Establishing personal routines that include exercise, adequate sleep, psychological counseling, and peer support networks is key to sustaining a long career. For those working in emergency and critical care, we especially recommend making regular psychological counseling and ongoing engagement with mental health professionals a standard part of your routine.

Reviewed by a veterinarian

Dr. Tony — Punnawat Phongkittirak

Veterinarian

A veterinarian who majored in veterinary medicine at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, and completed the IVSA program at North Carolina State University in the United States. Drawing on clinical experience at animal hospitals, he works in the pet healthcare field and is dedicated to building a digital care environment that connects pet parents with veterinarians.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone with a liberal arts background pursue a career in the pet industry?

Yes, while veterinarians and veterinary technicians require a background in the natural sciences, roles such as dog trainers, groomers, pet sitters, pet loss counselors, and pet funeral directors are open to anyone, regardless of their academic major. The typical path involves obtaining relevant private certifications and gradually building practical experience.

What is the highest-paying job in the pet industry?

Generally, clinical veterinarians—particularly those specializing in surgery and imaging—earn the highest incomes, followed by animal hospital owners and veterinary behaviorists. In the service sector, income varies significantly depending on whether a business venture succeeds or fails, but pet shops and pet funeral services can also generate solid, stable earnings once they reach a steady state.

If you love animals, can you pursue a career in the pet industry?

A genuine love for animals is a great starting point, but it’s not enough to sustain a career in veterinary medicine. Since you’ll frequently face emotionally draining situations—such as handling difficult clients, working night shifts, or dealing with terminal cases—maintaining your physical and emotional well-being, along with strong communication skills, is actually more critical.

As a student, what should I start preparing for now?

1) Gain hands-on experience in real-world settings through volunteer work at animal hospitals and shelters, 2) Clearly understand the qualification requirements for your field of interest, and 3) Build foundational skills in biology and ethics. We highly recommend observing a typical day in your desired profession firsthand at least once—it’s the most helpful step you can take.

Can I start a business in a pet-related profession?

Yes, grooming, pet sitting, pet hotels, funeral services, and training are all common entrepreneurial career paths. However, animal funeral services, pet grooming, and pet boarding are classified as "registered businesses" under the Animal Protection Act, so you must strictly comply with local government registration requirements and facility standards.

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References

[1] Small Animal Critical Care Medicine, 3rd Ed — Chapter on Veterinary Wellness and Professional Careers

[2] Assessing Essential Skills of Veterinary Technology Students, 4th Edition (Colville & Bassert)

[3] 농림축산식품부, 반려동물 연관산업 분류 및 직업 현황 자료 (2023)