It is elated and expectant students who meet at a kickoff at Valla farm in Linköping.
Elsa Jalakas is looking forward to starting the new education.
- I want to learn to be able to read animals from a distance and create a better understanding of what animal behavior means, she says.
More pets create demand
The new education is full-time for three years and subjects that will be studied include biology, ethology, behavioral analysis and animal cognition.
- It feels great that we are finally up and running.
It is the first program in the Nordic region that focuses on animal psychology and we see a great demand for this competence in our society, says Per Jensen, professor of ethology.
- We have noticed in these corona times what a positive effect our pets have on us and almost all species have increased in popularity.
In connection with this, we also see that the need for help has increased, says Lina Roth, associate professor of ethology and senior lecturer in zoology.
Lina Roth, associate professor of ethology and Per Jensen, professor of ethology, hold the new education at Linköping University.
Photo: SVT / Christian S Zetterdahl
Dream job at the zoo
For Elise Sumpter, the dream is to work at a zoo.
- I know that there is a shortage of animal psychologists at the zoo and it would be fun to work with elephants and other large animals.
Otherwise, I have plans to start my own dog daycare, she says.
- We hope that future employers can be everything from the Swedish Board of Agriculture and county administrative boards where they work with animal welfare supervision, to zoos, experimental animal departments and not least at veterinary clinics, says Per Jensen.
Hear more about the education and what plans the students have for the future in the clip above.
The students had gathered for a tip walk and other games at Valla farm in Linköping.