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Animal Assisted Intervention Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Heartshare

Canine Handler

Brooklyn, NY · On-site

$24.72 - $27.47/hr

Have training specific to animal-assisted intervention on topics including, but not limited to: * Ensure appropriate interactions between the students and the animal * Use techniques for responsive ...

Heartshare

Canine Handler

Queens, NY · On-site

$24.72 - $27.47/hr

Have training specific to animal-assisted intervention on topics including, but not limited to: * Ensure appropriate interactions between the students and the animal * Use techniques for responsive ...

Calo Programs

Lead Adventure Therapist

Lake Ozark, MO · On-site

Integrate animal-assisted interventions, including work alongside CALO's canine companions, to promote connection, regulation, and growth. * Provide clinical support through assessments, treatment ...

Calo Programs

Lead Adventure Therapist

Lake Ozark, MO · On-site

Integrate animal-assisted interventions, including work alongside CALO's canine companions, to promote connection, regulation, and growth. * Provide clinical support through assessments, treatment ...

New

Auburn University

Psychologist

Auburn University, AL · On-site

$61K/yr

... animal-assisted interventions! Cover letter with resume submission is required. Please combine into one document. Responsibilities * Provides psychological services to students that include, but are ...

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Animal Assisted Intervention information

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$23.5K

$50.7K

$78.5K

How much do animal assisted intervention jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal assisted intervention in the United States is $50,712.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,500.00 and $57,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an animal assisted intervention?

An Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) job involves using trained animals to support therapeutic, educational, or healthcare goals for individuals in need. Professionals in this field, such as therapists or handlers, work with animals to improve a person's physical, emotional, or social well-being. These interventions can take place in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, or nursing homes. The role requires knowledge of animal behavior, patient care, and sometimes specialized certifications. AAI professionals collaborate with healthcare providers to ensure safe and effective interactions between animals and clients.

What degree do I need to be an animal assisted intervention?

Animal Assisted Intervention professionals typically hold at least a bachelor's degree in fields such as psychology, social work, animal science, or therapy-related disciplines. Additional certifications in animal-assisted therapy and training in handling therapy animals are often required or preferred to work effectively in this role.

Is animal-assisted intervention a good career?

Animal-assisted intervention is a growing field that involves using trained animals to support therapy and improve well-being. Careers in this area often require certification, knowledge of animal behavior, and strong interpersonal skills. It can be a rewarding profession for those interested in both animal care and healthcare or social services.

What does a typical day look like for someone working in animal assisted intervention?

A typical day in Animal Assisted Intervention involves conducting therapy sessions where you facilitate interactions between clients and specially trained animals to support emotional, psychological, or physical well-being. You may work individually or as part of a multidisciplinary team, sometimes rotating between different settings such as schools, healthcare facilities, or community centers. Daily responsibilities often include assessing client progress, maintaining records, and ensuring the welfare and readiness of your therapy animals. Collaboration with other healthcare professionals and regular animal care routines are integral parts of the job. Flexibility and adaptability are important, as schedules may vary based on client needs and program requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in animal assisted intervention, and why are they important?

To thrive in Animal Assisted Intervention, you need a solid background in animal behavior, basic therapeutic techniques, and often a degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related health profession. Certification in animal-assisted therapy and familiarity with assessment tools and documentation systems are typically required, alongside training for handling therapy animals. Excellent communication, patience, and emotional intelligence are vital soft skills for building rapport with clients and managing unique scenarios involving animals. These abilities support safe, effective interventions and positive outcomes for both participants and therapy animals.

More about Animal Assisted Intervention jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Assisted Intervention jobs? The most popular types of Animal Assisted Intervention jobs are:
What states have the most Animal Assisted Intervention jobs? States with the most job openings for Animal Assisted Intervention jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Animal Assisted Intervention jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Assisted Intervention jobs are:
Animal Assisted Intervention jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Assisted Intervention job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,712 per year, or $24.4 per hour.

Canine Handler

Heartshare

Brooklyn, NY • On-site

$24.72 - $27.47/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago

HeartShare Human Services of New York rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

This is a hands-on, full-time role for a therapy dog handler who already owns and works with a licensed, trained therapy dog (1 year or older).
The Canine Handler brings their therapy dog into school-based settings to support students' social-emotional learning, emotional regulation, and engagement. The handler is responsible for managing all student/dog interactions, following safety and confidentiality protocols, and coordinating with school staff.
The Canine Handler will incorporate specially trained animals into goal directed, educationally relevant teaching plans designed to promote development student skills in areas such as cognition, social functioning, personal growth etc.
Primary Responsibilities and Essential Functions of Position:
Have training specific to animal-assisted intervention on topics including, but not limited to:
  • Ensure appropriate interactions between the students and the animal
  • Use techniques for responsive stress management to support the animal
  • Proactive positioning of the animal relative to the student, considering special equipment such as IV lines and wheelchair wheels
  • Selection of appropriate environments and/or students for the therapy animal team, giving due consideration to the animal's experience and comfort level, the activity level of the environment, and the additional oversight or support that is available from onsite staff
  • Enforce any applicable confidentiality requirements, such as the Health
  • Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
  • Identify signs/symptoms in the handler or animal that preclude interactions
  • Identify risks to the handler and animal that preclude an interaction, such as posted precautions
  • Facilitate interactions with students:
  • Adhere to a Social Emotional Learning plan
  • Create a schedule, meet with staff and communicate lesson plans
  • Act as a liaison for the program who will become knowledgeable of the policy and procedures of the therapy dog program
  • The liaison will be responsible for the coordination of services between the facility and therapy dog organization
  • Remain present during therapy dog activities as a means of further ensuring safety for all participants
  • Maintain records of the session, including documentation of any problems that may have arisen during a specific session
  • Have access to continuing education, including formal coursework and/or mentoring/shadowing
  • Each handler/animal team must have undergone a practical assessment of skills and aptitude to demonstrate its ability to interact with students safely and effectively
  • Handlers should have a relationship with the animal for at least six months
  • Basic canine obedience skills such as walking on a leash without pulling, not jumping up on people, no face-licking, etc. are all important attributes for dogs to have
  • All animals should welcome touching from a variety of people in a variety of ways, including people with poor motor control, or people with varied tones of voice
  • Maintain health standards for the animal
  • Care for the dog is allocated towards the salary.

Completion of formal training in animal-assisted intervention, including:
  • Handler must have an established relationship with the dog for a minimum of six months.
  • MUST PROVIDE DOG. Animals should be one year of age or older.
  • DOG MUST BE LICENSED as required by article 7 of NYS agriculture and Markets Law
  • Trauma-informed engagement canine stress signs and safe handling
  • Intervention planning
  • Risk reduction and environmental assessment
  • Must maintain ongoing professional development through coursework, mentorship, or shadowing.

Benefits
At HeartShare we offer a comprehensive benefit package based on full-time/part-time status. You can expect:
  • Rewarding Work in a team environment.
  • Paid vacation, sick, personal days, and holidays.
  • 403(B) retirement plans with employer contribution.
  • Health, dental, vision and life insurance.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
  • Flexible spending account (Dependent Care, Medical, Parking, and Transit).
  • Employee Appreciation Programs and Events.
  • Tuition Assistance Program.
  • Professional Development opportunities.
  • Wellhub Discount
  • Verizon Wireless Discount.
  • BJs Membership discount.
  • Discounts on Broadway tickets, movie tickets, theme parks, sporting events, gift certificates & more

HeartShare is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). If you need to request accommodation during the recruiting process, please reach out to Leaves@heartshare.org.
About Heartshare
Who WE ARE:
For over 150 years, Heartshare has been dedicated to championing and empowering New Yorkers society has too often overlooked and underestimated. To learn more about HeartShare, please visit our website at www.heartshare.org or Follow us on Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Facebook
#INDHP

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