ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Animal Therapy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Alliance Animal Health

Animal Care Coordinator

Hudson, NH · On-site

$15 - $19/hr

... therapy, in-house pharmacy, surgery, urgent/immediate care, rehabilitation services, and ... As an Animal Care Coordinator, you'll play an essential role in supporting our veterinary team by ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsAnimal Therapy Jobs

Animal Therapy information

See salary details

$10

$18

$26

How much do animal therapy jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal 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 the difference between Animal Therapy vs Animal-Assisted Activities?

AspectAnimal TherapyAnimal-Assisted Activities
CredentialsCertified Animal Therapists or trained professionals with certifications in therapy animal programsGenerally no formal certification; involves volunteers or handlers
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, therapy centers, nursing homesCommunity events, schools, recreational settings
PurposeProvide targeted therapeutic benefits to individuals with specific needsEnhance well-being and social interaction, less clinical focus
Employer & Industry UsageHealthcare, mental health, rehabilitation servicesNonprofits, community programs, educational institutions

Animal Therapy involves trained professionals providing structured therapeutic interventions using animals, often in clinical settings. In contrast, Animal-Assisted Activities are more casual, aimed at improving general well-being without specific therapeutic goals. Both roles involve working with animals, but their credentials, environments, and objectives differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Animal Therapist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animal Therapist, you need expertise in animal behavior, therapeutic techniques, and usually a relevant degree or certification in animal-assisted therapy or veterinary fields. Familiarity with behavioral assessment tools, therapy protocols, and safety procedures is often required. Compassion, patience, and strong interpersonal communication skills help build trust with both animals and clients. These competencies are crucial for effectively facilitating therapeutic outcomes and ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants.

How to get a job in animal therapy?

To work in animal therapy, individuals typically need a background in healthcare, psychology, or social work, along with experience working with animals. Certification programs in animal-assisted therapy are available and can enhance job prospects, while strong communication and empathy skills are essential. Gaining practical experience through volunteering or internships can also improve chances of employment in this field.

How do you become an animal therapist?

To become an animal therapist, individuals typically complete a relevant degree or certification in animal-assisted therapy, psychology, or a related field. Gaining experience working with animals and obtaining certifications from recognized organizations can enhance credibility and job prospects.

What are some common challenges faced by animal therapists when working with clients and their animals?

Animal therapists often encounter challenges such as building trust between the animal and client, managing unpredictable animal behavior, and ensuring the safety and comfort of both parties during sessions. Additionally, therapists must adapt their techniques to suit different animal personalities and client needs, which can require creativity and patience. Collaboration with veterinarians, trainers, and other healthcare professionals is also essential to provide holistic care, making strong communication skills a valuable asset in this role.

Is animal-assisted therapy a good career?

Animal-assisted therapy is a growing field that involves working with trained animals to support mental and physical health. It typically requires certification, knowledge of animal behavior, and strong interpersonal skills. The career can be rewarding but may involve irregular hours and emotional demands.

What is animal therapy?

Animal therapy, also known as animal-assisted therapy (AAT), is a therapeutic intervention that incorporates animals, such as dogs, cats, horses, or other pets, into the treatment process. The presence of animals can help promote emotional and physical well-being, reduce stress, and improve social or cognitive functioning in patients. Animal therapy is used in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and mental health facilities, to support individuals coping with health issues, trauma, or developmental challenges.

What is the highest paid animal job?

The highest paid animal therapy-related jobs are often specialized roles such as veterinary anesthesiologists or zoo veterinarians, with salaries reaching over $200,000 annually. These positions typically require advanced degrees, certifications, and extensive experience in animal health and care.
More about Animal Therapy jobs
What cities are hiring for Animal Therapy jobs? Cities with the most Animal Therapy job openings:
What states have the most Animal Therapy jobs? States with the most job openings for Animal Therapy jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Animal Therapy jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Therapy jobs are:
Animal Therapy jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Therapy job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,056 per year, or $18.3 per hour.
Animal Care Coordinator

Animal Care Coordinator

Alliance Animal Health

Bedford, NH

$15 - $19/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Alliance Animal Health rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 52 rated veterinary

Job description

Company Description

Bedford Veterinary Medical Center is a state of the art, multi-doctor hospital that offers personal, progressive, and comprehensive animal care to dogs, cats, and pocket pets in the Southern New Hampshire area. We practice the highest quality medicine while providing our pets and clients with the utmost care and compassion. Our hospital offers many services including annual wellness care, anesthesia and sedation, dentistry, internal medicine, laser therapy, in-house pharmacy, surgery, urgent/immediate care, and acupuncture. We are ready with a positive, experienced support staff and excellent clientele and well equipped with ultrasound, digital radiography, dental x-ray, and a complete in-house laboratory. And at our sister hospital in Hudson, Lowell Road Veterinary Center, we offer rehabilitation services such as underwater treadmill therapy, massage therapy, laser therapy, modality exercises, and more. We aim to make sure our clients and pets experiences leave them with a comfortable feeling as if they are an extended part of Bedford Veterinary Medical Center's family!

We are located in beautiful southern, New Hampshire! Tax-free New Hampshire is a fantastic place to live and offers beaches, mountains, and city life, all within a short driving distance from our location! It is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and is an excellent place to live and/or raise a family!

 To learn more about us, click https://www.bedfordvetcenter.com/!

Job Description

We're looking for a hardworking and compassionate Animal Care Coordinator to help ensure the health, comfort, and safety of our patients throughout their stay in our hospital.

About the Role:

As an Animal Care Coordinator, you'll play an essential role in supporting our veterinary team by caring for hospitalized patients and maintaining a clean, organized, and well-stocked facility. This is a hands-on position that requires attention to detail, a love for animals, and a strong work ethic.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Feeding, medicating, and monitoring hospitalized patients

  • Observing and reporting changes in appetite, behavior, or overall health

  • Walking dogs and keeping kennel areas clean and sanitary

  • Performing laundry duties and ensuring exam and treatment rooms are well-stocked

  • Assisting with patient restraint and basic handling when needed

  • Supporting veterinary assistants and doctors with daily tasks

  • Accurate recordkeeping of medications, diets, eliminations, and patient behavior

  • Reporting any concerns or abnormalities promptly to the medical team

Qualifications

We are looking for someone with:

  • At least 6 months of experience working in an animal care setting (clinic, shelter, or similar)

  • Understands basic cleaning and disinfecting protocols

  • Can recognize common signs of illness or distress in animals

  • Is comfortable handling dogs and cats of various sizes and temperaments

  • Knows proper animal restraint techniques or is eager to learn

  • Can lift and move heavy items (pet food bags, animals, cleaning supplies, etc.)

  • Works well in a team and communicates clearly and respectfully

  • Is compassionate, patient, and dedicated to animal wellbeing

  • Has the ability to follow written and verbal instructions accurately

Additional Information

Job Type: Full-time 

Hospital Hours: Monday - Friday: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm, Saturday 7:00 am - 4:00 pm, Sunday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm; Weekends are required

Pay: $15-$19/hr based on experience

We offer our staff:

  • Comprehensive Benefits (health, dental, vision, liability, 401k & 401K matching program, life & supplemental insurance, HSA, & FSA)
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Paid Vacation and Sick Time for ALL Employees
  • Paid Bereavement Program
  • Paid Parental Leave Program
  • Competitive Compensation
  • Continuing Education Allowance (applies to licensed/registered/certified roles)
  • Tuition Reimbursement Program Available to any AVMA Accredited Veterinary Technology Program
  • Career Development Opportunities
  • Referral Bonus Program for most positions!
  • Additional Benefits May Also Be Available (i.e. Personal Pet Discounts, Holiday Pay, Uniform Allowance, Bonuses etc)
  • Hiring eligibility may be contingent to a candidate authorizing and completing a satisfactory background check.

*Note - some benefits may only be available to or vary slightly for full time employment status vs part time status.

For additional details including our full equal opportunity statement, texting/outreach communication authorization, physical requirements of the job and more, please visit https://allianceanimal.com/additionaljobdescriptiondetails/.

#SS3

What Alliance Animal Health employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply