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Therapy Dog Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

Virginia Heart

Medical Assistant

Fairfax, 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.

Virginia Heart

Medical Assistant

Falls Church, 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.

Virginia Heart

Medical Assistant

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.

Virginia Heart

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Leesburg, VA · On-site

$90 - $120/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 ...

Vetcor

Veterinarian - Fairfax, VA

Fairfax, VA · On-site

We serve 100% small animal (dogs & cats) * Standalone hospital with 3 exam rooms * Recently ... therapy, separate dental and surgical suites, and holistic alternative care. Schedule & Work-Life ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsTherapy Dog JobsTherapy Dog Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Therapy Dog information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$45.5K

$54.3K

$61.5K

How much do therapy dog jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for therapy dog in Silver Spring, MD is $54,273.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,100.00 and $58,400.00 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.
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What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Therapy Dog jobs?

Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Therapy Dog job openings:

Therapy Dog jobs near you
Infographic showing various Therapy Dog job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $54,273 per year, or $26.1 per hour.

Medical Assistant-Heart Rhythm Center

Virginia Heart

Falls Church, VA • On-site

$21 - $25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Location: Falls Church, VA  Status:  Full-Time / Non-Exempt Salary Range:  $21.00 - $25.00  

Are you looking for new career opportunities, great wages, excellent benefits, and work-life balance?   Follow your heart to Virginia Heart!

At Virginia Heart, we are looking for friendly, dependable and compassionate Medical Assistants to perform day-to-day clinical and administrative support to the clinical offices in a manner consistent with Virginia Heart’s mission of providing extraordinary cardiovascular care to our community. The medical assistant must exhibit a high level of customer service, communication skills, and accuracy with medical documentation.

When you work with Virginia Heart, you will enjoy a dedicated and experienced staff, competitive wages, excellent benefits and the following rewards and incentives:

  • No Nights, weekends, or holidays!
  • Affordable Medical, Dental and Vision plans
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Paid Short-Term Disability
  • Employee Assistance Program for Mental and Physical well-being
  • Three Weeks of Paid Vacation upon eligibility
  • One week of Paid Sick Leave
  • Annual Merit-Based increases
  • Career Advancement Opportunities
  • Employee Referral Bonuses
  • Employee Discount Programs
  • 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 of excellence to our patients. We are seeking experienced professionals to join our team in our outpatient cardiology setting.  Every employee, at every level, begins their journey at Virginia Heart learning about the history of the organization and its established culture built on trust and integrity. Our employees drive this culture, and we want you to be a part of it. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Supports the clinical and office staff by performing clinical administrative tasks such as phone screening, appointment confirmation calls, orders management, data entry into the EMR, etc.
  • Create and/or update patient demographic and clinical information in the EMR as needed.
  • Responsible for taking patients from waiting room, performing vitals and preparing them for provider visits into EMR as well as updating medical history as part of intake process.
  • Assists the provider’s and/or clinicians with patients in the office and is to include but not limited to the following tasks:
  • Clinical Chart Preparation
  • Gather appropriate documents and signatures necessary to assist the clinician in making treatment decision.
  • Provides patient education and assists patients with clinical questions as needed and appropriate.  
  • Notifies patients of test results per protocol as needed.
  • Provides professional and efficient telephone services to patients and Virginia Heart staff and transfers/handles calls as appropriate.
  • Provides a safe environment for patients and staff.
  • Works as a resuscitative team member in emergency situations within their level of expertise and training.
  • The medical assistant is responsible for knowing the location of the medical supplies and medication on the emergency cart and the proper operation of emergency equipment within their scope.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Medical Assistant Certification Preferred
  • High School Diploma, or equivalent
  • Previous experience working in a medical office with both administrative and clinical experience required
  • Computer Literate
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Prior experience with the use of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) preferred.
(Click link to view other available openings and locations for our company: https://virginiaheart.hiringplatform.com/list/careers)

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