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Pet Therapy Dog Jobs (NOW HIRING)

HHC

Pet Therapy Program

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$46K - $62K/yr

The dog must be at least 1 year old for testing * Pass required testing with Pet Therapy Program Manager * Up-to-date Health records and vaccinations which include: * DA2PP(distemper, adenovirus ...

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Pet Therapy Dog information

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$7

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How much do pet therapy dog jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for pet therapy dog in the United States is $16.05, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.46 and $18.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a pet therapy dog?

Pet therapy dogs are specially trained animals that provide comfort, support, and companionship to people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and other settings. Their primary role is to interact with patients or individuals to help reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness. Therapy dogs are not service animals; instead, they work with their handlers as part of a volunteer or therapy program. They must have a calm temperament, be well-behaved, and undergo training and certification to ensure they are suitable for therapeutic visits.

What are some typical challenges faced by pet therapy dogs and their handlers during therapy sessions?

Pet therapy dogs and their handlers often encounter challenges such as managing a variety of unpredictable environments, adapting to individuals with different comfort levels around animals, and maintaining the dog's calm demeanor in noisy or crowded settings. Handlers must be attentive to their dog's stress signals and ensure the animal's well-being while providing comfort to clients. Building rapport with patients and collaborating smoothly with healthcare staff are also essential for a successful therapy session.

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

To thrive as a Pet Therapy Dog, a dog must have basic obedience training, a gentle temperament, and typically be certified through reputable therapy dog organizations. Familiarity with therapy dog certification processes and exposure to different environments, such as hospitals or schools, are important. Exceptional patience, calmness, and sociability are soft skills that set a therapy dog apart in this role. These qualities ensure the dog can safely and effectively provide comfort, reduce stress, and support emotional well-being for individuals in need.

What is the difference between Pet Therapy Dog vs Animal-Assisted Therapist?

AspectPet Therapy DogAnimal-Assisted Therapist
CertificationsCanine Good Citizen, therapy dog certificationTherapist license, certification in animal-assisted therapy
Work EnvironmentHospitals, nursing homes, schoolsHospitals, mental health clinics, rehabilitation centers
Employer & IndustryHealthcare, education, nonprofit organizationsHealthcare, mental health, therapy practices

Pet Therapy Dogs are trained to provide comfort and companionship in various settings, often certified as therapy animals. Animal-Assisted Therapists are licensed professionals who incorporate animals into therapeutic practices, often working alongside therapy animals. While Pet Therapy Dogs focus on the animal's training, Animal-Assisted Therapists combine their clinical skills with animal interaction for mental health treatment.

How to become a pet therapy dog?

To become a pet therapy dog, a dog must typically complete basic training, pass a temperament assessment, and be certified by a recognized therapy dog organization. The handler also often needs to complete training and background checks, and the dog must be well-behaved in various environments to ensure safety and comfort for clients.

How to get a job working with pet therapy dogs?

To work as a pet therapy dog handler, individuals typically need to train their dog to meet certification standards set by organizations like Pet Partners or Therapy Dogs International. Certification involves assessing the dog's behavior, obedience, and temperament, and handlers often complete training courses and background checks before volunteering in healthcare or community settings.
More about Pet Therapy Dog jobs

What states have the most Pet Therapy Dog jobs?

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

What job categories do people searching Pet Therapy Dog jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Pet Therapy Dog jobs are:

Pet Therapy Dog jobs near you
Infographic showing various Pet Therapy Dog 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 $33,377 per year, or $16 per hour.

Pet Therapy Volunteer - Anoka

St Croix Hospice

Anoka, MN • On-site

Other

Posted 11 days ago

St. Croix Hospice rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 33 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 45 rated hospices

Job description

Do you have a certified pet therapy dog and want to share your time and compassion with others?

As a Certified Pet Therapy Volunteer you can enrich the lives of St. Croix Hospice patients in your community. In person visits would involve you and your certified pet therapy dog visiting patients at their residence on a regular basis. Scheduling is flexible.

Certified therapy dogs provide a healing presence to our end-of-life patients by reducing stress and anxiety and increasing feelings of joy, warmth, and connection. Patients live in their homes or in assisted living or skilled nursing facilities.

  • All pet companions must be pet therapy certified and have up-to-date immunizations and health records.

I am more than happy to answer any questions via email, phone or in person. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me. My name is Tara Van Berkom. My phone number is 612-477-4952, and my email is tvanberkom@stcroixhospice.com.

Watch our video to learn more: St. Croix Hospice - Volunteers

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