i think most people pet animals with their hands but i guess your face works, too

I was a pretty brilliant phlebotomist and knew all the tests, all the different draw methods, I could do it painlessly. People loved me. And of course I aced my coursework and practicum. I'm allergic to the damned latex gloves and went into shock drawing a patient, and by the time it was more commonplace to use vinyl, I got a job that pays more! I had to rebuild and adapt that all the time I spent on phlebotomy was basically worthless. You may want to work only with birds/reptiles/fish.

"Loving on a dog"? I hope it was consensual.

Vets /vet techs who work with horses are in high demand and well paid.

I'd put up with it lol still better than humans!

there is a woeful lack of veterinarians that work with less traditionally cute animals. I have basically had to learn to provide nearly clinic level care for my reptiles and I'm not the only one. use this as an opportunity to do a serious good in the world. take on birds, amphibians, reptiles, and other exotic pets and you may find a surprising demand for the specialization if you get a good reputation out there.

I had to re-read the first sentence, because "I was loving on a dog at work" just sounds wrong. :O