Pet Therapy Volunteer
Leesburg, VA · On-site
Dogs are especially needed! Volunteers spend time with patients to offer companionship and support through their pets. Volunteers typically visit once a week. Our pet therapy volunteers use their ...
Pet Therapy Volunteer
Leesburg, VA · On-site
Dogs are especially needed! Volunteers spend time with patients to offer companionship and support through their pets. Volunteers typically visit once a week. Our pet therapy volunteers use their ...
Registered Nurse (RN)
Leesburg, VA · On-site
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Leesburg, VA · On-site
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Fairfax, VA · On-site
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Fairfax, VA · On-site
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Arlington, VA · On-site
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Arlington, VA · On-site
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
New
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
New
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Alexandria, VA · On-site
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Alexandria, VA · On-site
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Leesburg, VA · On-site
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Leesburg, VA · On-site
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Front Desk Medical Receptionist
Reston, VA · On-site
$21 - $25/hr
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Front Desk Medical Receptionist
Reston, VA · On-site
$21 - $25/hr
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Cardiac Technician - Exercise Physiologist
Vienna, VA · On-site
$25 - $27/hr
Quarterly Employee Appreciation Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events. Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard ...
Cardiac Technician - Exercise Physiologist
Vienna, VA · On-site
$25 - $27/hr
Quarterly Employee Appreciation Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events. Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard ...
Front Desk Medical Receptionist
$21 - $25/hr
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Front Desk Medical Receptionist
$21 - $25/hr
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Cardiac Technician - Exercise Physiologist
Alexandria, VA · On-site
$25 - $27/hr
Quarterly Employee Appreciation Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events. Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard ...
Cardiac Technician - Exercise Physiologist
Alexandria, VA · On-site
$25 - $27/hr
Quarterly Employee Appreciation Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events. Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard ...
Front Desk Medical Receptionist - General Cardiology
Leesburg, VA · On-site
$21 - $25/hr
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Front Desk Medical Receptionist - General Cardiology
Leesburg, VA · On-site
$21 - $25/hr
Events to include therapy dogs, raffles, and other fun events Virginia Heart is Northern Virginia's premier cardiovascular practice, bringing an unparalleled standard of excellence to our patients.
Therapy Dog information
See Reston, VA salary details
$45.8K - $47.2K
4% of jobs
$47.2K - $48.7K
9% of jobs
$48.7K - $50.2K
6% of jobs
$50.9K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$50.2K - $51.6K
11% of jobs
$51.6K - $53.1K
11% of jobs
The median wage is $54.4K / yr.
$53.1K - $54.6K
11% of jobs
$54.6K - $56K
11% of jobs
$56K - $57.5K
11% of jobs
$58.1K is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$57.5K - $59K
6% of jobs
$59K - $60.4K
11% of jobs
$60.4K - $61.9K
11% of jobs
$45.8K
$54.6K
$61.9K
How much do therapy dog jobs pay per year?
As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for therapy dog in Reston, VA is $54,618.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,500.00 and $58,800.00 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?
| Aspect | Therapy Dog | Service Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Required Credentials | Training programs, certifications from therapy dog organizations | Extensive training, certification from organizations like the ADA or Assistance Dogs International |
| Work Environment | Hospitals, schools, nursing homes, therapy sessions | Public spaces, assisting individuals with disabilities in daily activities |
| Employer/Industry Usage | Healthcare, education, therapy services | Individuals 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.
More about Therapy Dog jobs
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Other
Posted 28 days ago
Job description
Hospice patients and their families need friendly pets and their humans to visit them wherever they call home. Dogs are especially needed!
Volunteers spend time with patients to offer companionship and support through their pets. Volunteers typically visit once a week. Our pet therapy volunteers use their trained pets to meaningfully engage patients and their families. You and your pet will be joining a team which will support you and appreciate your work!
Your pet must be certified by a Therapy Pet certifying body; the American Kennel Club Good Citizenship Training is a good standard! Humans must be good listeners, compassionate people who are ready to support patients and families through the journey of advanced illness care. Up to date annual vaccinations including rabies are also required.
Volunteers are needed any day of the week during daytime hours and are able to make their schedule directly with the patient/family or visit our Assisted Living or Longterm Care facilities in Loudoun and western Fairfax Counties or at the Adler Center in Aldie, VA.
We provide volunteer orientation, hospice training and ongoing support.
We know how important volunteers are to our patients. Come join our amazing team, we do wonderful work, and we need you!