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Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

PACS

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Lafayette, CO · On-site

$35 - $40/hr

Coal Creek Post Acute & Assisted Living is hiring a PRN Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)! Shift: PRN At Coal Creek Post Acute & Assisted Living , we're committed to delivering personalized ...

Calo Programs

Lead Adventure Therapist

Lake Ozark, MO · On-site

Here, therapy happens in motion: through group challenges, outdoor experiences, and animal-assisted work. You'll work side-by-side with our youth by helping them build trust, regulate, and ...

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Lee Health

Occupational Therapist

Fort Myers, FL · On-site

$70K - $115K/yr

Occupational Therapist * Discipline: Therapy * Duration: Ongoing * 40 hours per week * Shift: 8 ... Animal-Assisted Therapy, the Early Activity Initiative, Why Not Home, and our In-House ...

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How much do animal assisted occupational therapy jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal assisted occupational therapy in the United States is $32.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.19 and $39.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is animal assisted occupational therapy?

An Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy (AAOT) job involves using trained animals as part of occupational therapy to help patients improve physical, emotional, and cognitive functions. Therapists incorporate animals into therapy sessions to enhance engagement, reduce stress, and motivate patients in their rehabilitation. This approach is often used for individuals with disabilities, mental health challenges, or developmental disorders. Professionals in this role must have expertise in occupational therapy as well as knowledge of animal behavior and care. AAOT can take place in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, or private practice settings.

What types of animals are commonly involved in animal assisted occupational therapy, and how are they selected?

Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy most commonly involves trained therapy dogs, but may also include other animals such as horses, cats, or rabbits depending on the facility and client needs. Animals are carefully selected based on their temperament, behavior, health, and compatibility with clients, and must typically pass specific training and certification processes to participate in therapeutic sessions. The occupational therapist collaborates closely with animal handlers to ensure the safety and welfare of both animals and clients throughout therapy sessions. The selection and use of animals is tailored to therapeutic goals, participant preferences, and the clinical setting, making flexibility and proper assessment skills crucial in this field.

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

Excelling in Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy requires a degree in occupational therapy, state licensure, and specialized training in animal-assisted interventions. Practitioners typically utilize tools for client assessment, treatment planning software, and must often complete continuing education or certification in animal-assisted therapy practices. Compassion, patience, strong communication, and the ability to collaborate with animal handlers and other healthcare professionals are essential soft skills. These abilities ensure effective, ethical integration of animals into client treatments, enhancing therapeutic outcomes and client engagement.

More about Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy jobs
What cities are hiring for Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy jobs? Cities with the most Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy jobs? The most popular types of Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy jobs are:
What states have the most Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy jobs? States with the most job openings for Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy jobs are:
Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 61% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,763 per year, or $32.1 per hour.

Lead Adventure Therapist

Calo Programs

Lake Ozark, MO • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

Overview
Lead Adventure Therapist
Location: 130 Calo Lane, Lake Ozark, MO 65049
Salary: $70,000 to $80,000
Relocation Assistance Provided!
Ready to get out of the therapy room and make a meaningful impact through connection and engagement? If you're a clinician who enjoys building relationships, leading groups, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and creating engaging therapeutic experiences, this role offers the opportunity to support youth in a dynamic and highly interactive environment.
Here, therapy happens in motion: through group challenges, outdoor experiences, and animal-assisted work. You'll work side-by-side with our youth by helping them build trust, regulate, and breakthrough in ways traditional settings often can't reach.
At CALO, our mission is to heal generations through a holistic, family-driven model, and you will be at the heart of that work.
Apply today if you're looking for a highly engaging environment where no two days are the same. Ideal for clinicians who enjoy group work, program development, and building connections.
Responsibilities
  • Lead and facilitate therapeutic groups, experiential activities, and animal-assisted programming that support student growth and treatment goals.
  • Coordinate, organize, and oversee the day-to-day flow of adventure therapy and experiential programming to ensure a structured, engaging, and effective student experience.
  • Partner closely with Adventure Therapy Coordinators to develop, implement, and enhance programming, activities, and therapeutic experiences.
  • Build strong therapeutic relationships with students through mentorship, daily engagement, hands-on support, and meaningful shared experiences.
  • Integrate animal-assisted interventions, including work alongside CALO's canine companions, to promote connection, regulation, and growth.
  • Provide clinical support through assessments, treatment planning input, real-time coaching, and crisis intervention as needed.
  • Ensure timely documentation, family communication, regulatory compliance, and overall program quality while helping maintain a positive, relationship-focused treatment environment.

Qualifications
  • Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Recreation Therapy, or a related behavioral health field.
  • Fully licensed clinicians (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, Psychologist) preferred; provisional licensure will be considered.
  • Recreational Therapy certification may be considered based on education, experience, and credentialing requirements.
  • Experience facilitating groups and working with adolescents in a therapeutic, residential, or experiential setting.
  • Interest in or experience with adventure-based, experiential, and animal-assisted interventions.
  • Strong leadership, organization, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
  • Must be at least 24 years of age and able to pass required background and drug screenings.

Benefits
  • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance - Multiple plan options including PPO and HDHPs with HSA eligibility and company contributions.
  • Paid Parental Leave - Up to 6 weeks fully paid for exempt employees and 4 weeks for non-exempt.
  • Life & Disability Coverage - Company-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability; voluntary life and optional short-term disability available.
  • 401(k) with Company Match - Retirement savings with matching contributions after eligibility period.
  • PTO & Holidays - Competitive PTO accrual plans and paid holidays throughout the year.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Free, confidential support for life's challenges.

CALO is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to enriching the therapeutic and healing experience we offer through the diversity of our employees and community. We actively seek to recruit and support a broadly diverse staff who contribute to our excellence, diversity of viewpoints and experiences, and relevance in a global society.
CALO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. #ALLCALO #onsite #LI-KK1

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