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Animal Assisted Therapy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mental Health Therapist

Greer, SC · Remote

$50 - $75/hr

Interest or experience in modalities such as EMDR, DBT, IFS, play, experiential, or animal-assisted therapy (not required, but celebrated) What we offer: * Mission-driven, fun, nonprofit setting ...

Mental Health Therapist

Greer, SC · Remote

$50 - $75/hr

Interest or experience in modalities such as EMDR, DBT, IFS, play, experiential, or animal-assisted therapy (not required, but celebrated) What we offer: * Mission-driven, fun, nonprofit setting ...

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Animal Assisted Therapy information

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How much do animal assisted therapy jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 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.

What is animal assisted therapy?

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 does animal assisted therapy do?

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed for animal assisted therapy?

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.

How much money do animal assisted therapists make?

Animal assisted therapists typically earn between $30,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and work setting. Salaries can vary based on certifications, hours worked, and whether they work independently or for organizations.

How to become an animal assisted therapy practitioner?

To become an animal assisted therapy practitioner, individuals typically need a background in healthcare, counseling, or social work, along with training in animal-assisted therapy techniques. Certification programs are available through organizations like Pet Partners or the International Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention, which often require completing coursework, supervised sessions, and demonstrating competency. Additionally, maintaining good animal handling skills and understanding safety protocols are essential for effective practice.

How to get into animal assisted therapy?

To become an animal assisted therapy provider, individuals typically need a background in healthcare, counseling, or social work, along with training in animal handling and therapy techniques. Certification programs or specialized courses in animal-assisted therapy are often required, and working with certified therapy animals and organizations can improve job prospects.

Is animal-assisted therapy a good career?

Animal-assisted therapy is a recognized profession that involves working with animals to support mental and physical health. It typically requires specialized training, certification, and strong interpersonal skills. The field offers opportunities in healthcare, rehabilitation, and educational settings, with job stability depending on demand and qualifications.
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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:

Infographic showing various Animal Assisted Therapy job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 15% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 23% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,056 per year, or $18.3 per hour.

Hospice Animal Assisted Therapy - Furry Friends Providing Comfort

EvergreenHealth

Kirkland, WA • On-site

Other

This job post has expired 2 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Join our volunteer community! Animal Assisted Therapy Teams Needed.

EvergreenHealth Hospice is one of the few remaining not-for-profit Hospice services in the region. We support patients and their families all over King and Snohomish counties. We rely on caring neighbors to support our community.

Hospice Animal Assisted Therapy teams provide unconditional love and support to our patients, families and staff. Many of the patients you will see are missing their own animal and are delighted by the surprise of a visiting therapy dog team.

All volunteers complete a comprehensive Hospice Core Training and specialized position training.

Animal Assisted Therapy teams receive training on how to navigate the hospice environment, how to enter patient rooms, and how to support patients and families throughout the visit. Teams are supported by both our Volunteer Coordinators and our Bereavement Coordinators, if needed.

Ongoing hospice education, support meetings, and friendly volunteer gatherings are offered throughout the year.

If you would like to support your community, please visit our website for more information and to apply:

https://www.evergreenhealth.com/about-us/volunteer/volunteering-kirkland/animal-assisted-therapy/

https://www.evergreenhealth.com/about-us/volunteer/volunteering-kirkland/hospice-volunteer-services/


EvergreenHealth logo

About EvergreenHealth

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At EvergreenHealth, we appreciate our employees' commitment and contribution to our success. We are proud to offer a suite of quality benefits and resources that are comprehensive, flexible, and competitive to help our staff and their loved ones maintain and improve health and financial well-being.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Kirkland, WA, US

Year founded

1972