Jayce Chua's Career As An Animal Trainer
Aqua Girl Marine Mammal Trainer and former policewoman Jayce Chua, has always wanted to work with animals. She obtained her ‘O’ Levels when in the police and left to further her studies in Biology in the Singapore Polytechnic and NUS before answering her present calling.
Dreams Said Jayce, ‘Some people want to go for their dreams but are financially tied-down. I was lucky to have been able to pursue mine. At Dolphin Lagoon, I train feed and take care of the dolphins and am involved with their shows.’
‘I love my job, It allows me to be with dolphins every day. They reciprocate my love in many ways. Sometimes, when they want to get your attention, they’ll splash water on you or follow you around when you are near the water. It’s this manja-ness and daily interaction with them that’s most satisfying. When they’re calves, they’re like children because both have short attention spans. As they get older, you cannot discipline them too much because they will rebel. In that sense, humans and dolphins have the same temperament.”
Dolphin Trainer Training ‘When I first joined, I was attached to a mentor who taught me everything from basic skills like how to feed the dolphins and more advanced skills like training them for shows. Underwater World is currently developing a Tourism Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) course – Deliver Trained Animal Programme, to help new trainers acquire necessary skills.’
How To Prepare For My Job ‘Volunteer here for experience on the job. Some people say that they like animals but when they have to work in an environment like this, they realize they’re not cut out for it. You have to be fit, swim, carry and move stuff. You must also like being in the sun. Some guests can be very demanding. The strangest request I’ve encountered was when a guest wanted the dolphins to go all the way up to the sand where his seat was, so he could pet them. I just told him the dolphins have to rest in the water.’
View Other Jobs In Demand
