I love animals but...?

ever since i was little i have been chasing garter snakes and picking up slimy salamanders, i want to be a herpetologist but i have a nasty fear of spiders! why am i so afraid of little creep crawlies? i want to learn to love all animals. any possitive attributes of spiders might help...but i really want to learn about them and not want to squash them whenever i see one! i know that as a herpetologist i will eventually have to handle spiders...but i need to over come my fear. any good ideas??