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Therapy Dogs Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Laser therapy We primarily see cats and dogs (approximately 95% of our caseload), and 5% exotics, including avian patients, pocket pets, reptiles, and amphibians. Experience with exotics is preferred ...

Home Infusion Nurse - PRN

Pearce, AZ · On-site

$35.25 - $46.75/hr

The patient has 2 dogs * The patient is not new to the medication Responsibilities of the PRN Home Infusion Registered Nurse * Deliver immune globulin infusion therapies directly to the patient in ...

Occupational Therapist

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$38.75 - $51/hr

More than just saguaros and Sonoran hot dogs, Tucson is a cultural and natural hub where visitors ... Provides clinical oversite and collaboration with occupational therapy assistants (OTA). * Provides ...

POS4110

Mesa, AZ · On-site

We have a child-friendly atmosphere accented by soothing colors and dedicated play areas, as well as a volunteer dog therapy program that helps cheer up young patients during their stays. * Banner ...

Private Duty LPN

Scottsdale, AZ · On-site

$28 - $37/hr

Therapy Coordination: Assisting with PT, OT, and Speech Therapy sessions conducted in the home ... There is one dog in the home. The patient's husband has early-stage dementia; the ideal candidate ...

Private Duty LPN

Scottsdale, AZ · On-site

$28 - $37/hr

Therapy Coordination: Assisting with PT, OT, and Speech Therapy sessions conducted in the home ... There is one dog in the home. The patient's husband has early-stage dementia; the ideal candidate ...

POS12700

Mesa, AZ · On-site

We have a child-friendly atmosphere accented by soothing colors and dedicated play areas, as well as a volunteer dog therapy program that helps cheer up young patients during their stays. * Banner ...

Veterinarian

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Approximately 95% dogs and cats with a small percentage of exotic animal cases * Average of 16-20 ... laser therapy and comprehensive in-house laboratory * Strong focus on preventative medicine ...

New

Veterinarian

Green Valley, AZ · On-site

$110 - $170/hr

Dogs and cats only * Modern equipment including digital radiography, digital dental radiography, therapy laser and comprehensive in-house IDEXX laboratory * Excellent 2:1 technician-to-doctor support ...

New

Modern diagnostic equipment, including digital radiography, ultrasound and cold laser therapy ... care for dogs and cats, managing a varied caseload that includes preventative care, routine ...

New

POS4839

Mesa, AZ · On-site

We have a child-friendly atmosphere accented by soothing colors and dedicated play areas, as well as a volunteer dog therapy program that helps cheer up young patients during their stays. * Banner ...

POS14049/14050

Mesa, AZ · On-site

$1.5K/mo

We have a child-friendly atmosphere accented by soothing colors and dedicated play areas, as well as a volunteer dog therapy program that helps cheer up young patients during their stays. * Phoenix ...

POS13524

Mesa, AZ · On-site

We have a child-friendly atmosphere accented by soothing colors and dedicated play areas, as well as a volunteer dog therapy program that helps cheer up young patients during their stays. * Banner ...

POS15468

Mesa, AZ · On-site

$168K - $218K/yr

... dog therapy program that helps cheer up young patients during their stays. * Banner Children's at Desert is a member of the Children's Hospital Association. * It is part of Banner Desert Medical ...

Showing results 21-40

Therapy Dogs information

See Arizona salary details

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How much do therapy dogs jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for therapy dogs in Arizona is $12.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $10.96 and $14.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are therapy dogs?

Therapy dogs are specially trained animals that provide comfort, support, and affection to people in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and other settings. Unlike service dogs, which assist people with disabilities, therapy dogs are primarily there to improve emotional well-being and reduce stress or anxiety. They work alongside their handlers as a team and are evaluated for their temperament and ability to interact positively with a variety of people. Therapy dogs are not granted public access rights like service dogs but are invited into facilities to provide their therapeutic benefits.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animal-assisted therapy dog handler, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animal-Assisted Therapy Dog Handler, you need knowledge of canine behavior, animal training, and basic healthcare, alongside completion of therapy dog certification programs. Familiarity with therapy dog evaluation standards and organizations such as Pet Partners or Alliance of Therapy Dogs is important for proper credentialing. Excellent communication, patience, and empathy are essential soft skills for building trust with clients and ensuring animal welfare. These skills and qualifications ensure safe, ethical, and effective therapeutic interactions that benefit both clients and therapy animals.

What are some common challenges handlers face when working with therapy dogs in healthcare settings?

Handlers often encounter challenges such as adapting to different patient needs, maintaining the dog's calm demeanor in busy or noisy environments, and ensuring infection control protocols are followed. Therapy dogs must be comfortable with unpredictable situations, such as sudden movements or medical equipment, and handlers need to be vigilant about their dog's stress signals. Effective communication with healthcare staff and understanding facility rules are also essential to ensure safe and successful visits.

What is the difference between Therapy Dogs vs Service Dogs?

AspectTherapy DogsService Dogs
Required CredentialsBasic training, certification from therapy dog organizationsExtensive training, certification, and often public access tests
Work EnvironmentHospitals, schools, nursing homes, therapy sessionsPublic spaces, assisting individuals with disabilities
Employer & Industry UsageTherapy organizations, hospitals, schoolsIndividuals with disabilities, federal and state agencies

Therapy Dogs and Service Dogs serve different roles. Therapy Dogs provide comfort and emotional support in settings like hospitals and schools, requiring basic training and certification. Service Dogs assist individuals with disabilities, undergo extensive training, and have legal access to public spaces. Understanding these differences helps clarify their unique functions and training requirements.

How to get a job working with therapy dogs?

To work with therapy dogs, individuals typically need to complete training in animal handling and therapy techniques, often through certification programs such as those offered by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs or Pet Partners. Experience with dogs, a compassionate attitude, and background checks are usually required, and some positions may require a veterinary or healthcare background depending on the setting.

Is animal-assisted therapy a good career?

Animal-assisted therapy is a specialized field where therapy dogs are used to support mental and physical health. It requires training, certification, and strong interpersonal skills, and can be a rewarding career for those interested in helping others through animal interaction.

What qualifications do you need to have a therapy dog?

To qualify as a therapy dog, the dog must be well-behaved, social, and comfortable around people. The handler often needs to complete training and certification programs that assess the dog's temperament and obedience, such as those offered by organizations like Therapy Dogs International or the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Infographic showing various Therapy Dogs job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 47% Full Time, 50% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% In-person, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $26,746 per year, or $12.9 per hour.

Veterinarian - PhoenixDCB, AZ

Vetcor

Phoenix, AZ

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago


Vetcor rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 221 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

28th of 52 rated veterinary


Job description

Associate Veterinarian – Join Our Phoenix Practice Serving Pets Since 1942 | 4-Day Week | New Grads Welcome!
 
Since 1942, Phoenix Dog Cat Bird Hospital has proudly provided compassionate veterinary care to pets in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona. We are seeking an Associate Veterinarian to join our collaborative, supportive, and energetic team!
 
We are a well-established 2-DVM small animal and exotics practice with deep roots in the community, a loyal client base, and a supportive team culture where many staff members have been with us for 10+ years.
Whether you are an experienced veterinarian looking for a positive, team-oriented environment or a new graduate seeking mentorship and surgical training, we would love to connect with you.
 
Why You’ll Love Working Here
At Phoenix Dog Cat Bird Hospital, we pride ourselves on practicing high-quality medicine while maintaining a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for both our team and our clients. We are a small neighborhood practice located in the downtown metro area of Phoenix, surrounded by historic districts, local restaurants, art, culture, and easy access to everything the Valley has to offer.
 
Our doctors and staff genuinely enjoy working together, and our culture is built on collaboration, compassion, and providing personalized care to all our patients and clients.
 
We are also proud to partner with local rescue organizations, including:
  • Underdog Rescue
  • Yorkie Luv Rescue
  • Lost Our Home Pet Rescue
  • Heeling Heelers Hearts Rescue
  • Newborn Kitten Rescue
  • Hand Over Rover Rescue
  • Milagro Senior Pet Rescue
And of course, every great hospital needs memorable mascots — ours include Azula, our resident “Chief Snuggler,” and Piper, the “Head Honcho of Butt Wiggles.”
 
About Our Hospital
Our stand-alone hospital is thoughtfully equipped to support efficient, high-quality medicine and a smooth workflow for our team.
Hospital features include:
  • 5 exam rooms
  • Dedicated surgical suite
  • 2 treatment wet sinks
  • In-house laboratory + IDEXX reference lab
  • Digital radiology
  • Digital dental radiology
  • New Sonoscape E2V ultrasound
  • Laser therapy
We primarily see cats and dogs (approximately 95% of our caseload), and 5% exotics, including avian patients, pocket pets, reptiles, and amphibians. Experience with exotics is preferred, but seeing exotics is optional depending on your interests and comfort level.
 
What You’ll Practice
Our doctors practice a wide variety of general medicine, including:
  • Preventative care
  • Internal medicine
  • Dentistry
  • Soft tissue surgery
  • Ophthalmology
  • Laser therapy
  • Behavioral medicine
Surgery and dentistry are optional based on your interests. For doctors who enjoy surgery, surgical days typically include 3–5 procedures with lighter afternoon appointments.
Appointments are structured to support quality medicine and a sustainable workflow:
  • Sick and new pet appointments: 30 minutes
  • Wellness appointments: 15 minutes
  • Doctors typically see 16–20 appointments per day
Schedule & Work-Life Balance
Our current doctors work:
  • 4 days per week
  • 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • 1-hour lunch break daily
  • Dedicated administrative time built into the workday
  • Rotating Saturday shifts
We are flexible and happy to discuss scheduling preferences.
 
Mentorship & Team Support
New graduates are absolutely welcome! We provide:
  • Strong mentorship
  • Longer appointment times when needed
  • Surgical and dental training
  • Collaborative case support
  • Highly utilized credentialed technicians
Our team currently includes:
  • 2 CVTs
  • Approximately a 3.5 to 1 technician-to-DVM ratio
Life in Phoenix
Phoenix offers the perfect blend of urban energy, outdoor adventure, and year-round sunshine. Living in central Phoenix means you are close to historic neighborhoods, local coffee shops, incredible restaurants, professional sports, live music, museums, hiking trails, and vibrant cultural events.
 
Enjoy easy access to destinations like:
  • Camelback Mountain
  • Piestewa Peak
  • Roosevelt Row Arts District
  • Downtown Phoenix
  • Scottsdale
  • Weekend trips to Sedona, Flagstaff, and Northern Arizona
Whether you enjoy hiking, food, arts, sports, or simply warm weather and beautiful desert sunsets, Phoenix offers something for everyone.
 
Our Benefits
We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:
  • 401(k) retirement plan
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
  • Paid parental leave to support you and your family
  • Generous CE allowance + support for professional dues and liability coverage
  • Vacation time + Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Growth opportunities within our practice
  • Mentorship program for new graduates
If you’re looking for a welcoming, community-centered practice where you can practice quality medicine alongside a supportive and experienced team, we’d love to hear from you!
 


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