1

Therapy Dog Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Account Director

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

... dog-friendly (warning: your interview may be accompanied by a wagging tail🐕) We give our team ... therapy * 💸 401k plan with match and 1:1 access to investment advisor * 📚 Professional ...

... dog-friendly (warning: your interview may be accompanied by a wagging tail) We give our team the ... therapy 401k plan with match and 1:1 access to investment advisor Professional development ...

Certified Veterinary Assistant

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$15.25 - $19.25/hr

... for dogs and cats in Indianapolis and surrounding areas. Our AAHA certified companion animal ... Familiarity and proper use of cold laser therapy techniques. * Taking vital signs of patients ...

Showing results 21-32

Therapy Dog information

See Indiana salary details

$41.9K

$50K

$56.6K

How much do therapy dog jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for therapy dog in Indiana is $49,957.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,200.00 and $53,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a therapy dog?

Therapy dogs are specially trained animals that provide comfort, support, and affection to people in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, disaster areas, and other settings. Unlike service dogs, which assist individuals with disabilities, therapy dogs work with their handlers to improve the emotional well-being of groups or individuals in need. They help reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness, and their presence can have positive effects on mental and physical health. Therapy dogs must be calm, friendly, and well-behaved in various environments, and they usually undergo certification or training to ensure they are suitable for this important role.

What are jobs that work with therapy dogs?

Therapy dog training jobs involve teaching dogs to perform specialized behaviors with the goal of providing support to people who have disabilities or physical limitations. As a trainer for a therapy dog, your duties focus on training the dog to assist a client with particular tasks, like helping a blind person cross the street, or to provide general animal therapy. Your responsibilities vary but typically include training a dog while evaluating their temperament and progress. Some trainers work with dogs who serve people with a specific limitation, while others train dogs to service people with multiple disabilities.

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

To thrive as a Therapy Dog, a dog must have a calm temperament, be well-socialized, and have basic obedience training, often validated through therapy dog certification programs. Handlers and dogs typically work with organizations that require evaluation and registration, and familiarity with environments like hospitals or schools is beneficial. Exceptional patience, gentleness, and the ability to respond positively to new people and situations are vital soft skills for therapy dogs. These qualities ensure that therapy dogs can safely and effectively provide comfort, support, and emotional benefits to individuals in need.

What can handlers expect in terms of collaboration and support when working with a therapy dog in healthcare settings?

Handlers working with therapy dogs in healthcare environments often collaborate closely with medical staff, social workers, and facility administrators to ensure visits are safe and beneficial for patients. Communication is key—handlers are typically briefed on patient needs and facility protocols before visits. Working as part of an interdisciplinary team, handlers may help set goals for patient interaction and adjust their approach based on feedback. This collaborative structure not only supports the handler and dog but also enhances the overall effectiveness of therapy dog programs.

What is the difference between Therapy Dog vs Service Dog?

AspectTherapy DogService Dog
Required CredentialsTraining programs, certifications from therapy dog organizationsExtensive training, certification from organizations like the ADA or Assistance Dogs International
Work EnvironmentHospitals, schools, nursing homes, therapy sessionsPublic spaces, assisting individuals with disabilities in daily activities
Employer/Industry UsageHealthcare, education, therapy servicesIndividuals with disabilities, federal and state programs

Therapy dogs are trained to provide comfort and emotional support in various settings, while service dogs are trained to assist individuals with disabilities in daily tasks. Both roles require specific training and certifications, but service dogs have legal protections to accompany their owners everywhere, unlike therapy dogs which are primarily used in designated environments.

How do you become a therapy dog?

To become a therapy dog, a dog must complete basic obedience training and pass a temperament assessment to ensure they are calm, friendly, and well-behaved around people. Afterward, the dog and handler typically undergo certification through a recognized organization, which may include health checks, behavior testing, and training in handling skills. Ongoing socialization and regular re-evaluation help maintain the therapy dog's suitability for visits.

What are the most commonly searched types of Therapy Dog jobs in Indiana?

The most popular types of Therapy Dog jobs in Indiana are:

What are popular job titles related to Therapy Dog jobs in Indiana?

For Therapy Dog jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

The top searched job categories for Therapy Dog jobs in Indiana are:

What cities in Indiana are hiring for Therapy Dog jobs?

Cities in Indiana with the most Therapy Dog job openings:

Infographic showing various Therapy Dog job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, and 23% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $49,957 per year, or $24 per hour.

Postdoctoral Clinical Veterinarian

RPM ReSearch

Indianapolis, IN

$130K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

Position Summary  


Clinical Veterinarian

The Laboratory Animal Resource Center (LARC) at a prestigious institution is seeking a customer service-oriented individual to join our team as a clinical laboratory animal veterinarian and Assistant Director. Our research programs encompass a broad range of biomedical research activities and areas of study, focusing on various fields such as cardiovascular disease, alcoholism, hematopoietic cancer, behavioral research, aging, and gene therapy. At LARC, we provide comprehensive care and housing for multiple species of laboratory animals, with a primary emphasis on swine, dogs, rabbits, frogs, and rodents. Our program is accredited by AAALAC International and consists of a dedicated team of approximately 90 animal program staff, including seven veterinarians.

This is a non-tenure research track faculty position. Entry-level faculty rank classification begins as an assistant scientist. However, qualified individuals with documented past academic rank advancement may qualify for the associate scientist faculty rank.

Responsibilities:


- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for working with animals in biomedical research, including the Animal Welfare Act & Regulations, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, local policies, and other applicable regulations.

- Provide veterinary preventive, clinical, diagnostic, technical, and surgical services, with a focus on USDA-regulated species, frogs, laboratory mice and rats. Conduct regular rounds and check-ins.

- Perform routine surgeries such as spay/neuter, jugular/carotid catheter implantation, and other surgeries as required for experimental model development.

- Advise researchers on grant budget construction for technical and surgical services. Organize pre-initiation preparatory planning meetings with researchers. Order and maintain supplies for studies, ensuring excellent oversight and communication. Track supplies and labor for accurate billing.

- Communicate with internal and external customers regarding significant changes in animal health, husbandry/environment, and study conduct.

- Review vendor health records and animal orders. Assist with imports/exports.

- Provide consultation to investigators on anesthesia, analgesia, surgery, breeding, housing/environment, hazards, model selection, protocol writing, and other study-related needs.

- Participate in training programs for LARC employees, research personnel, veterinary residents, veterinary students, and others. Create and implement training content for classes and instruction.

- Provide expertise and assistance for specialty areas such as GLP, immune-compromised, gnotobiotic, hazards, or ABSL-2/3 restricted areas as required.

- Provide leadership within operations teams to prevent problems, identify opportunities, and solve complex challenges.

- Directly or indirectly supervise and oversee veterinary technical staff, supervisors, and other operational staff. Perform human-resource-related duties, including hiring, mentoring, coaching, and performance management.

- Assist in writing/updating Standard Operating Procedures and policies.

- Serve on department, campus, and university committees as assigned (e.g., IACUC, IBC). Review IACUC and IBC protocols and provide post-approval monitoring.

- Stay updated on issues in laboratory animal medicine, animal care, and science.

- Participate in the quality assurance program. Conduct routine facility inspections, perform quality checks, and oversee surgical suite maintenance. 

- Participate in site visits/audits by external oversight organizations such as AAALAC-International, USDA, OLAW, DEA, and State of Indiana Board of Pharmacy.

- Share after-hours and holiday emergency on-call services with other veterinary staff on a rotating basis.

- Perform other assigned duties.

Required Qualifications:


- Ability to have direct physical contact with and prolonged exposure to all common laboratory animal species.

- Availability to work full-time and on-site.

- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) from an AVMA-accredited program.

- Current license to practice veterinary medicine in at least one state in the United States, with eligibility