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Entry Level Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy Jobs

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Entry Level Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy information

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$11K

$79.1K

$112.5K

How much do entry level animal assisted occupational therapy jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level animal assisted occupational therapy in the United States is $79,062.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,000.00 and $92,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is entry level animal assisted occupational therapy?

Entry level animal assisted occupational therapy involves using trained animals as part of therapeutic interventions to help clients improve their physical, emotional, or cognitive skills under the supervision of an occupational therapist. At the entry level, professionals typically assist with therapy sessions, help care for the therapy animals, and support the lead therapist in treatment planning and documentation. This role may also include interacting with clients and helping facilitate activities that involve the animal to achieve specific therapeutic goals.

What are the typical responsibilities of an entry level animal assisted occupational therapist?

As an entry level animal assisted occupational therapy professional, your daily tasks often include assisting licensed occupational therapists during therapy sessions with clients and therapy animals, preparing therapy materials, maintaining the cleanliness and welfare of therapy animals, and documenting session notes. You may also help set up therapy spaces to ensure safety and comfort for both clients and animals. Collaboration with therapists, animal handlers, and sometimes families is key, and you’ll have the opportunity to observe and learn therapeutic techniques, paving the way for future advancement in this specialized field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level animal assisted occupational therapist?

To thrive as an Entry Level Animal Assisted Occupational Therapist, you need a background in occupational therapy, foundational knowledge of human-animal interaction, and completion of an accredited OT program, often with state licensure. Familiarity with animal-assisted therapy protocols, safety procedures, and documentation systems is also required. Compassion, patience, strong communication, and the ability to build rapport with both clients and therapy animals are vital soft skills in this role. These skills ensure safe, effective, and therapeutic interventions that maximize patient outcomes in a supportive environment.

What is the difference between Entry Level Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy vs Entry Level Occupational Therapy Assistant?

AspectEntry Level Animal Assisted Occupational TherapyEntry Level Occupational Therapy Assistant
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy or related field; certification in animal-assisted therapy is a plusRequires an associate degree in occupational therapy assisting and state licensure
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, schools, and animal-assisted therapy programsRehabilitation centers, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and schools
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by therapy clinics integrating animals into treatment plansCommonly employed in healthcare settings providing occupational therapy services

While both roles support patient rehabilitation, Entry Level Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy uniquely combines occupational therapy skills with animal-assisted interventions, whereas Entry Level Occupational Therapy Assistants focus solely on delivering traditional occupational therapy under supervision.

More about Entry Level Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy jobs

What cities are hiring for Entry Level Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy jobs?

Cities with the most Entry Level 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 Entry Level Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy jobs?

States with the most job openings for Entry Level Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy jobs are:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 58% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,062 per year, or $38 per hour.

Lead Adventure Therapist

Embark Behavioral Health

Lake Ozark, MO • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago


Embark Behavioral Health rating

5.4

Company rating: 5.4 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


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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