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Animal Assisted Therapy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SELAH GREY ACADEMY

Mental Health Therapist

Greer, SC · Remote

$50 - $75/hr

... animal-assisted therapy (not required, but celebrated) What we offer: • Mission-driven, fun, nonprofit setting grounded in belonging • Supportive, collaborative team culture • Opportunity to ...

SELAH GREY ACADEMY

Mental Health Therapist

Greer, SC · Remote

$50 - $75/hr

... animal-assisted therapy (not required, but celebrated) What we offer: • Mission-driven, fun, nonprofit setting grounded in belonging • Supportive, collaborative team culture • Opportunity to ...

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Animal Assisted Therapy information

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How much do animal assisted therapy jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal assisted therapy in the United States is $18.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $20.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to get a job in animal-assisted therapy?

To work in animal-assisted therapy, individuals typically need a background in healthcare, psychology, or social work, along with experience working with animals. Certification programs in animal-assisted therapy or related fields can enhance job prospects, and strong interpersonal skills are essential for working with clients and animals in therapeutic settings.

Is animal-assisted therapy a good career?

Animal-assisted therapy is a growing field that involves working with animals to support mental and physical health in various settings such as hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation centers. It typically requires training in therapy techniques, animal handling skills, and relevant certifications. The career offers opportunities for meaningful work but may involve irregular hours and emotional demands.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities in an Animal Assisted Therapy role?

In an Animal Assisted Therapy position, your daily tasks will revolve around conducting therapy sessions where you facilitate interactions between clients and trained therapy animals to support physical, emotional, or mental health goals. This may include developing individual or group treatment plans, monitoring both client and animal well-being, and maintaining detailed records of session outcomes. Additionally, you will often collaborate with other healthcare professionals to integrate animal-assisted interventions into broader care plans. Regular care and training of therapy animals, along with client education and outreach activities, are also common parts of the job. Working in this field requires adaptability and a focus on fostering positive, safe experiences for both clients and animals.

What is an Animal Assisted Therapy job?

An Animal Assisted Therapy job involves using trained animals to assist in therapeutic treatments for patients dealing with physical, emotional, or psychological challenges. Professionals in this field, such as therapists or counselors, incorporate animals like dogs, horses, or cats into treatment sessions to promote healing, reduce stress, and improve patient well-being. These jobs require specialized training in both animal handling and therapy techniques. Therapists may work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, or private practices. The goal is to enhance a patient’s quality of life through structured interactions with animals.

What do you need to be an animal assisted therapist?

To become an animal assisted therapist, you typically need a relevant mental health or therapy license, such as a counseling or social work license, along with specialized training in animal-assisted therapy. Certification from organizations like Pet Partners or the International Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention can also enhance credibility and job prospects.

What is the highest paying job in animal welfare?

The highest paying jobs in animal welfare are often senior roles such as veterinary directors or animal shelter executive directors, with salaries exceeding $100,000 annually. These positions typically require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and strong management skills, and may involve overseeing large organizations or specialized programs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Animal Assisted Therapy position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Animal Assisted Therapy, you need a background in psychology, counseling, social work, or occupational/physical therapy, along with in-depth knowledge of animal behavior and welfare. Certification from reputable organizations such as Pet Partners or the American Kennel Club, and familiarity with therapy animal evaluation protocols, are commonly required. Strong interpersonal skills, patience, and the ability to build rapport with both clients and animals make a candidate stand out. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring safe, ethical, and effective therapeutic interventions that meet the needs of diverse client populations.

More about Animal Assisted Therapy jobs
What cities are hiring for Animal Assisted Therapy jobs? Cities with the most Animal Assisted Therapy job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Assisted Therapy jobs? The most popular types of Animal Assisted Therapy jobs are:
What states have the most Animal Assisted Therapy jobs? States with the most job openings for Animal Assisted Therapy jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Animal Assisted Therapy jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Assisted Therapy jobs are:
Animal Assisted Therapy jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Assisted Therapy job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $38,056 per year, or $18.3 per hour.
Adventure Therapy Clinical Manager

Adventure Therapy Clinical Manager

Calo Programs

Lake Ozark, MO • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Overview
Clinical Manager - Experiential and Adventure Therapy
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 bring therapy to life? If you're a clinician who comes alive through movement, connection, and real-world experiences, this will give you the opportunity to practice therapy in a way that's dynamic, relational, and deeply impactful.
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 break through 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 would like to be a part of a highly engaging environment where no two days look the same. Ideal for clinicians who want to stay active, build intentional and meaningful relationships, and grow further into leadership.
Responsibilities
  • Lead experiential & adventure-based programming, including animal-assisted therapy with our canine companions, while ensuring safety and quality of care
  • Provide clinical leadership through assessments, goal setting, group therapy, real-time coaching, and crisis support
  • Partner with therapists, families, and care teams to coordinate treatment and support student progress
  • Build strong relationships with students and staff through daily engagement, mentorship, one on one support, and campus engagement activities
  • Ensure clinical documentation, compliance, and Joint Commission readiness
  • Support family communication through updates, progress sharing, and key touchpoints
  • Oversee program operations and logistics, including supplied, organization, and day-to-day flow

Qualifications
  • Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or related clinical field
  • Active full or provisional LPC, LCSW, LMFT, or Psychologist licensure
  • Experience providing in direct therapy, including strong group work
  • Experience or interest in experiential, adventure, or activity based modalities
  • Comfortable with working hands-on animal-assisted therapy
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-based environment
  • Strong leadership, organization, and collaboration skills
  • Drive for fostering student growth through hands-on experiential and relationship-driven interventions
  • Must be 24 years of age
  • Ability to pass background and drug screen

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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