11 Pets With Real-Life Careers

1. 1. Monkey Waiters

   Kayabukiya Tavern, a restaurant in Japan, employs macaques, certified by authorities to work as waiters. Aside from wearing little outfits, they serve drinks and give customers hot towels.

   How much do you tip these guys? A handful of soya beans.

   Photo courtesy of Flickr, Anton Novoselov

   

2. 2. Water Skiing Squirrel

   Meet Twiggy, the water skiing squirrel. She's had more press than any of us could ever dream of, with appearances in Anchorman, Dodge Ball, and more than 30 TV shows.

   Photo courtesy of Twiggy, the Water Skiing Squirrel

   

3. 3. Director of Wellness

   In his previous life, Toby the dog roughed animal shelters and even survived a gunshot. Now he works as the director of wellness at Khan Academy helping colleagues de-stress.

   Check out staff member Toby's profile here.

   Photo courtesy of Flickr, purprin

   

4. 4. Truffle Pigs

   With their keen sense of smell, pigs can sniff out a truffle as deep as three feet underground.

   Photo courtesy of Flickr, sgs_1019

   

5. 5. Therapy Horse

   Believe it or not, there's a market for equine therapy, like Sally Smith, the Horse Therapist.

   Real-life testimonial: "This horse LIKES me!" SF, age 16, former gang member. Hey, don't knock what works, right?

   Photo courtesy of Flickr, Molly Goossens

   

6. 6. Pipe-Running Ferrets

   Forget the plumber, just call your ferret.

   Ferrets have been used to feed wires through connecting tubes. Most famously in 1999, a U.S. lieutenant used his pet to complete construction on a missile warning center.

   Photo courtesy of Flickr, originalpozer

   

7. 7. Navy Dolphins

   Military dolphins are trained to help in defense, mine detection and submarines and underwater weapon design.

   Photo courtesy of Flickr, Marion Doss

   

8. 8. Reading Dogs

   Kids are seeing new furry teaching assistants in the classroom.

   Dogs are being used as reading partners to help children with literacy. Some kids read aloud to them to dogs to overcome their fear of public speaking, because really, why would your dog judge you?

   Photo courtesy of Flickr, greenkozi

   

9. 9. Cat Band

   These cats have, paws down, beat your own dreams of becoming a rock star. Tuna and the Rock Cats have their own tour bus and travel the U.S. to show off their skills on guitar, piano, drums and cowbell.

   Photo courtesy of Kickstarter, The Amazing Acrocats

   

10. 10. Cheetah Ambassador

    The De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre is home to Byron, the main ambassador cheetah. This king cat travels around the world to educate others on the wild.

    We're not worthy.

    Photo courtesy of Flickr, Johnny Peacock

    

11. 11. Llama Caddies

    They may not improve your swing, but llamas can carry your golf clubs and gear around.

    Photo courtesy of Flickr, GrahamPics1

    

Some jobs are so easy, a monkey could do it. Don't underestimate your animal's abilities, though, because he may actually be able to hold down a regular 9-to-5.

Animals have long been trained to carry out tasks, acting as beasts of burden or herders. But you might be seeing them more around the workplace these days — then who knows who'll be getting that next promotion?

At the risk of being spit on, you can get a llama to carry your golf clubs, or ask that a monkey serves your lunch. From Navy dolphins to a cheetah ambassador, check out our gallery of pets with careers (that are probably cooler than yours).

Photo courtesy of Flickr, purprin