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Therapy Dog Handler Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Advocate Aurora Health

$28.55 - $42.85/hr

... therapy dog handler. You do need to be willing to work with a dog as your companion in spiritual care, care for the dog in your home, and collaborate with our other handler on scheduling. We're ...

Advocate Aurora Health

Pediatric Chaplain

Park Ridge, IL · On-site

$28.55 - $42.85/hr

... therapy dog handler. You do need to be willing to work with a dog as your companion in spiritual care, care for the dog in your home, and collaborate with our other handler on scheduling. We're ...

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How much do therapy dog handler jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for therapy dog handler in the United States is $17.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $18.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What qualifications do you need to be a dog handler?

To be a therapy dog handler, individuals typically need to have a genuine love for dogs, basic training skills, and often complete certification through organizations like the Alliance of Therapy Dogs or Pet Partners. Certification usually involves health clearances, temperament testing, and training in handling and safety protocols, along with a good understanding of client interactions and animal behavior.

How do you become a therapy dog handler?

To become a therapy dog handler, individuals typically need to complete a handler training course, ensure their dog is well-trained and certified, and pass a temperament assessment for both handler and dog. Certification organizations often require ongoing education and regular evaluations to maintain active status.

What are some typical settings where Therapy Dog Handlers work, and how do their responsibilities vary?

Therapy Dog Handlers often work in environments such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, rehabilitation centers, and community events. Depending on the setting, handlers may assist with patient visits, provide emotional support to students, participate in therapeutic activities, or help reduce stress in high-pressure environments. Your responsibilities can include coordinating visits, ensuring your therapy dog’s well-being, maintaining certification requirements, and documenting visits or progress. Handlers regularly collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, or volunteer coordinators to maximize the benefits of animal-assisted therapy for those they serve. This variety provides meaningful opportunities to make a positive impact across different communities.

What is a Therapy Dog Handler job?

A Therapy Dog Handler is responsible for managing and guiding a trained therapy dog during visits to hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and other facilities. Their role is to ensure the dog remains calm and responsive while providing comfort and support to individuals in need. Handlers coordinate visits, follow facility guidelines, and maintain the dog's training and well-being. Unlike service dog handlers, therapy dog handlers do not rely on the dog for personal assistance but facilitate interactions to benefit others.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Therapy Dog Handler position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Therapy Dog Handler, you need a solid understanding of canine behavior, basic animal care, and experience in training or handling dogs, often supported by certification such as AKC Canine Good Citizen or Therapy Dog International. Handlers may use training tools like leashes, harnesses, and clickers, and are often required to maintain documentation for therapy dog organizations. Exceptional interpersonal skills, patience, and the ability to engage compassionately with diverse populations, including children, seniors, and individuals with special needs, set outstanding handlers apart. These skills ensure positive, safe, and impactful interactions that foster comfort and support in various healthcare, educational, and community settings.

How much do therapy dog handlers make?

Therapy dog handlers typically earn between $20,000 and $40,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and whether they work full-time or part-time. Many handlers volunteer or work on a flexible schedule, and some may receive stipends or small fees for specific visits or programs.

What is the highest paid job working with dogs?

The highest paid jobs working with dogs typically include specialized roles such as veterinary surgeons, professional dog trainers with advanced certifications, and canine behavior consultants, with salaries often exceeding $70,000 annually. These roles require extensive training, experience, and sometimes certification or licensing, and they involve working in clinical, training, or consulting environments.
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Therapy Dog Handler jobs near you
Infographic showing various Therapy Dog Handler job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, and 14% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $37,374 per year, or $18 per hour.
Program Coordinator - Facility Dog Handler

Program Coordinator - Facility Dog Handler

Duke University

Durham, NC • On-site

Other

Posted 2 days ago

Duke University rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 54 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

438th of 537 rated colleges and universities

Job description

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Healthhospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

General Description of the Job Class

Plan, coordinate and administer activities within assigned program areas; develop, coordinate and evaluate recreational programs. Provide patient interventions to promote coping skills, emotional health and overall wellbeing within the hospital setting.

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level
  • Perform the duties described within the Child & Adolescent Life Spec (5018) job description.
  • Serves as the sole dog handler in this position, ensuring safety, therapeutic, and developmentally appropriate integration of the dog into clinical practice.
  • Provides comprehensive Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and child life services across pediatric settings in DCT and CHC supporting emotional safety, coping, and developmental needs of patients and families.
  • Coordinates the referral process for the facility dog and coordinates planning and implementation of special events and programming involving the dog.
  • Develop and deliver educational seminars for staff, learners, and community partners highlighting the clinical benefits and best practices of using a facility dog in pediatric healthcare.
  • Maintains full compliance with all requirements regarding weight management, vet care, home environment, grooming and reporting.
  • Assess the needs of the dog throughout the work shift to provide adequate rest and down time.
  • Maintains accurate program data and statistics to support evaluation, quality improvements, and program development.
  • Ensures all required patient consent forms, documentation, and media approvals are completed, tracked and stored according to policy.
  • Enforces and comply with regulatory, safety and compliance standards including HIPAA, The Joint Commission, infection prevention protocols, and institutional policies related to animal-assisted interventions.
  • Conduct individual and group activities designed to improve patient functioning, enhance coping, and increase overall patient satisfaction.
  • Apply principles of group dynamics to support patients in achieving their therapeutic or developmental goals.
  • Facilitate activities that may take place during evenings, weekends, or outside the hospital setting, as appropriate.
  • Supervise and provide training to students, ensuring appropriate guidance, support, and learning opportunities.
  • The dog will reside full time with the handler.
  • Adhere to all guidelines outlined in the Facility Dog Handbook, including grooming, veterinary care, transporting the dog, etc.
  • Perform additional administrative or related duties as required to support departmental operations and patient care.
Minimum QualificationsEducation

Work requires analytical, communications and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program. Certified Child Life Specialist. 

Experience

Minimum of three years of experience as a Certified Child Life Specialist working with pediatric patients in a hospital setting.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Proven ability to plan and deliver effective training sessions.
  • Strong critical thinking and problemsolving skills.
  •  Flexibility and adaptability in a wide range of situations.
  •  Excellent customer service and familycentered service skills.
  •  Strong organizational and timemanagement abilities.
  •  Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
  •  Demonstrate initiative, sound judgment, and professionalism in independent work.
Degrees, Licensures, Certifications

CCLS

Distinguishing Characteristics of this Level
  • Ability to work interdependently within a multidisciplinary team.
  • Strong teamoriented mindset and collaborative approach.
  • Demonstrates flexibility in adapting to changing needs and environments.
  • Builds strong rapport and works effectively with patients, families, and staff.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.


Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.


Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.


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About Duke University

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Duke is regarded as one of America's leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools and hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Durham, NC, US

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