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Pet Therapy Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Physical Therapy Assistant

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$27.75 - $36.75/hr

Physical Therapy Assistant About OrthoArizona: At OrthoArizona, we are bringing the best together ... Pet Discount Plan. * ID Theft protection & Legal assistance.

Physical Therapy Assistant

Chandler, AZ · On-site

$27.50 - $36.50/hr

Physical Therapy Assistant About OrthoArizona: At OrthoArizona, we are bringing the best together ... Pet Discount Plan. * ID Theft protection & Legal assistance.

Physical Therapy Assistant

Glendale, AZ · On-site

$27.75 - $36.75/hr

Physical Therapy Assistant About OrthoArizona: At OrthoArizona, we are bringing the best together ... Pet Discount Plan. * ID Theft protection & Legal assistance.

Physical Therapy Assistant

Peoria, AZ · On-site

$27.50 - $36.25/hr

Physical Therapy Assistant About OrthoArizona: At OrthoArizona, we are bringing the best together ... Pet Discount Plan. * ID Theft protection & Legal assistance.

Physical Therapy Assistant

Chandler, AZ · On-site

$27.50 - $36.25/hr

Physical Therapy Assistant About OrthoArizona: At OrthoArizona, we are bringing the best together ... Pet Discount Plan. * ID Theft protection amp; Legal assistance.

Physical Therapy Assistant

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$28 - $36.75/hr

Physical Therapy Assistant About OrthoArizona: At OrthoArizona, we are bringing the best together ... Pet Discount Plan. * ID Theft protection amp; Legal assistance.

Physical Therapy Assistant

Chandler, AZ · On-site

$27.50 - $36.50/hr

Physical Therapy Assistant About OrthoArizona: At OrthoArizona, we are bringing the best together ... Pet Discount Plan. * ID Theft protection & Legal assistance.

Physical Therapy Assistant

Gilbert, AZ · On-site

$28 - $37/hr

Physical Therapy Assistant About OrthoArizona: At OrthoArizona, we are bringing the best together ... Pet Discount Plan. * ID Theft protection & Legal assistance.

Physical Therapy Assistant

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$26.50 - $35/hr

Physical Therapy Assistant About OrthoArizona: At OrthoArizona, we are bringing the best together ... Pet Discount Plan. * ID Theft protection amp; Legal assistance.

Physical Therapy Assistant

Nashville, IN · On-site

$26 - $34.50/hr

Pet insurance As a Physical Therapist Assistant, you'll contribute to our success in the following ways: * Promotes Elara Caring's philosophy, mission statement and administrative policies to ensure ...

Activities Assistant (PRN)

Libby, MT · On-site

$12.50 - $15/hr

PRN (On-Call) Activities Assistant Flexible | As-Needed Scheduling | Make a Meaningful Impact We're ... Implement diverse activity approaches (music, art, pet therapy, etc.) * Engage residents who are ...

Physical Therapy Assistant

Bethel, CT · On-site

$29 - $38.25/hr

Pet insurance As a Physical Therapist Assistant, you'll contribute to our success in the following ways: * Promotes Elara Caring's philosophy, mission statement and administrative policies to ensure ...

Activities Assistant (PRN)

Libby, MT · On-site

$12.50 - $15/hr

PRN (On-Call) Activities Assistant Flexible | As-Needed Scheduling | Make a Meaningful Impact We're ... Implement diverse activity approaches (music, art, pet therapy, etc.) * Engage residents who are ...

Showing results 21-40

Pet Therapy Assistant information

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$8

$26

$48

How much do pet therapy assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for pet therapy assistant in the United States is $26.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $31.97 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a pet therapy assistant?

Pet Therapy Assistants are professionals who help facilitate animal-assisted therapy sessions, working alongside certified therapy animals and their handlers. Their role includes preparing animals for visits, supporting clients during interactions, and maintaining a safe and comfortable environment for both animals and people. They often work in healthcare settings, schools, or community centers, bringing comfort and emotional support to individuals through positive animal interactions. Pet Therapy Assistants must have strong interpersonal skills, a passion for animal welfare, and training in both animal behavior and client care.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a pet therapy assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Pet Therapy Assistant, you need a basic understanding of animal behavior, experience handling therapy animals, and often a certification in animal-assisted therapy or related fields. Familiarity with animal care protocols, therapy program documentation, and scheduling software is commonly required. Strong interpersonal skills, patience, and empathy help build rapport with clients and ensure animal and human well-being. These skills ensure safe, effective therapy sessions that benefit both clients and therapy animals.

What are the typical challenges pet therapy assistants face when working with animals and clients in therapeutic settings?

Pet Therapy Assistants often encounter challenges such as managing the unpredictable behavior of therapy animals, adapting sessions to meet the diverse needs of clients, and ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for everyone involved. They must be attentive to both animal welfare and client emotional responses, sometimes working with individuals who have anxiety, trauma, or special needs. Balancing the well-being of the animal with the therapeutic goals of the session requires strong observation skills, flexibility, and effective communication with supervising therapists and other team members.

What is the difference between Pet Therapy Assistant vs Animal Care Technician?

AspectPet Therapy AssistantAnimal Care Technician
CertificationsMay require pet therapy certification or training in animal handlingOften requires veterinary technician certification or animal care training
Work EnvironmentHospitals, nursing homes, community centers for therapy sessionsAnimal shelters, veterinary clinics, research facilities
Employer & IndustryHealthcare, therapy organizations, non-profitsVeterinary clinics, animal shelters, research labs
Search & Comparison IntentPeople seeking roles involving animal-assisted therapyIndividuals interested in animal care and veterinary support

The Pet Therapy Assistant primarily focuses on providing animal-assisted therapy in healthcare and community settings, often requiring specialized training in therapy techniques. In contrast, an Animal Care Technician works mainly in animal shelters or veterinary clinics, focusing on animal health, grooming, and medical care. While both roles involve working with animals, their work environments, certifications, and job responsibilities differ significantly.

How do you become a pet therapy assistant?

To become a pet therapy assistant, individuals typically need to have a genuine love for animals, good communication skills, and often complete training or certification in pet therapy or animal-assisted activities. Some roles may require background checks, health clearances, and experience working with animals or in healthcare settings.

Is animal assisted therapy a good career?

A Pet Therapy Assistant role involves working with animals to provide emotional support and comfort to clients, often in healthcare or community settings. It requires knowledge of animal handling, certification, and strong interpersonal skills. The career can be rewarding for those interested in helping others through animal interaction, but it may involve physical activity and irregular hours.
More about Pet Therapy Assistant jobs

What cities are hiring for Pet Therapy Assistant jobs?

Cities with the most Pet Therapy Assistant job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Pet Therapy jobs?

The most popular types of Pet Therapy jobs are:

What states have the most Pet Therapy Assistant jobs?

States with the most job openings for Pet Therapy Assistant jobs include:

Infographic showing various Pet Therapy Assistant job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,211 per year, or $26.1 per hour.

Physical Therapy Assistant

OrthoArizona

Phoenix, AZ • On-site

$27.75 - $36.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago


OrthoArizona rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 31 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

604th of 888 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Physical Therapy Assistant
About OrthoArizona:
At OrthoArizona, we are bringing the best together. Our organization was created to help serve ALL orthopedic and podiatry needs throughout the Valley! We have a wide range of orthopedic surgeons and mid-level providers including physical and occupational therapists.
Today we are one of Arizona's largest privately owned and most comprehensive orthopedic practices with more than 75 locally and nationally renowned providers across 30 locations, in addition to 2 ambulatory surgical centers and in house state of the art MRI capabilities. At OrthoArizona we are committed to best-in-class patient care, being a pioneer in research and technology, and most importantly, rewarding and recognizing our employees.
As a Physical Therapy Assistant with OrthoArizona, you will get to:
  • Assist in the development and implementation of physical therapy treatment plans.
  • Provide hands-on therapy to patients as directed by the physical therapist.
  • Document patient progress and communicate with the physical therapist regarding treatment plans and progress.
  • Assist with patient education and home exercise programs.
  • Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive patient care.
  • Travel to different clinics and facilities as needed.

Qualifications:
  • Associate degree in Physical Therapy Assistant program.
  • Current state licensure as a Physical Therapy Assistant.
  • Minimum of 1 year of experience in an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy setting.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Full Time Benefits:
  • Robust paid time off package including, sick time, holidays, & paid time off!
  • Medical with multiple different plan options.
  • Health Savings account + company contributions.
  • Dental & Vision insurance.
  • Company paid life insurance policy + the option to purchase additional benefits to protect you from what life throws at you.
  • 401(k) with a company contribution + profit sharing!
  • Pet Discount Plan.
  • ID Theft protection & Legal assistance.

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