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Therapy Dogs Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

HHC

Pet Therapy Program

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$46K - $62K/yr

The dog must be at least 1 year old for testing * Pass required testing with Pet Therapy Program Manager * Up-to-date Health records and vaccinations which include: * DA2PP(distemper, adenovirus ...

Vetcor

Veterinarian - Brownsburg, IN

Brownsburg, IN · On-site

Surgical and therapy lasers * Lift tables for large dogs * Paperless records (ezyVet coming soon!) * Competitive compensation packages * Comprehensive benefits: health, dental, vision, 401(k), CE ...

ComForcare

CNA/ HHA Floater

Valparaiso, IN · On-site

$16.50 - $17/hr

... with physical therapy exercises Job Requirements: * Availability on your set days from 7am-9pm ... dogs and/or cats Maintain a current CNA or HHA Certificate Ability to read & write in English ...

Home Care Evolution

Part Time Caregiver

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$17 - $18/hr

The ideal candidate is patient, okay with dogs, compassionate, and reliable. RESPONSIBILITIES * Assist with personal hygiene needs and dressing * Assist with mobility, walking, and physical therapy ...

Jovie

Family Seeking Full-Time Nanny

Carmel, IN

$19 - $21/hr

... therapy appointments. Candidates must have their own reliable vehicle, and mileage will be ... Love of animals (cats and dogs) * Reliable vehicle * CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to ...

Tempus Veterinary Recruitment

$160K/yr

This practice provides comprehensive veterinary care for dogs and cats, including preventive ... therapy lasers, and in-house lab capabilities. Services span preventive care, emergency treatment ...

Leap Group

Account Director

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

... 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 ...

All JobsTherapy Dogs JobsTherapy Dogs Jobs in Indiana

Therapy Dogs information

See Indiana salary details

$7

$13

$17

How much do therapy dogs jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for therapy dogs in Indiana is $13.13, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.20 and $14.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much can therapy dogs make?

Therapy dogs themselves do not earn income; instead, handlers or organizations that provide therapy dog services may earn between $10 to $25 per hour, depending on the setting and location. Many therapy dog handlers volunteer or work part-time, and income can vary based on experience, certifications, and the type of facility served.

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 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. Owners typically need to complete training and certification programs that assess the dog's temperament, obedience, and suitability for therapy work, along with ongoing health and behavior maintenance.

How to get a job as a therapy dog handler?

To become a therapy dog handler, you need to have a certified therapy dog and complete handler training through organizations like Pet Partners or Therapy Dogs International. Certification typically involves passing a health and behavior assessment for the dog and completing a handler course that covers safety, communication, and client interaction. Maintaining ongoing training and certification is often required to work in healthcare, educational, or community settings.

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 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.

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.

Can your dog get paid to be a therapy dog?

Therapy dogs are typically not paid for their service; they are usually volunteers providing emotional support in settings like hospitals or schools. However, some organizations may compensate handlers for training, transportation, or specific programs, but the dogs themselves generally do not receive payment.
What are popular job titles related to Therapy Dogs jobs in Indiana? For Therapy Dogs jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Therapy Dogs jobs in Indiana look for? The top searched job categories for Therapy Dogs jobs in Indiana are:
What cities in Indiana are hiring for Therapy Dogs jobs? Cities in Indiana with the most Therapy Dogs job openings:
Therapy Dogs jobs near you
Infographic showing various Therapy Dogs job openings in Indiana as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 75% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $27,311 per year, or $13.1 per hour.
Pet Therapy Program

Pet Therapy Program

HHC

Indianapolis, IN • On-site

$46K - $62K/yr

Other

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Eskenazi Health is an organization that celebrates diversity, and seeks to engage a diverse volunteer workforce. We actively encourage all individuals to apply to volunteer and to seek advancement opportunities. Eskenazi Health also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities as required by law. For additional questions please contact us at: 317-880-3311.

Position Title:  Pet Therapy Volunteer Program  

Coordinator:  Emily Smith, Pet Therapy Program Manager


Summary:  The Pet Therapy Program Volunteer will provide Eskenazi Health Patients the opportunity to experience animal assisted activity/therapy.  Therapy animals are trained to provide supervised, goal-directed interventions to clients in the hospital and specific treatment sites.

Duties & Responsibilities:

  1. Be available to visit patients and guests on our Acuity Adaptable inpatient floors, Outpatient Clinic Waiting Areas and Eskenazi Health Centers throughout our community.
  2. Complete all necessary paperwork and evaluation forms following
  3. Follow all policies and procedures set forth by Eskenazi Health and the Pet Therapy program.
  4. Perform related duties as assigned.
  5. Must comply with HIPAA standards, policies and procedures of maintaining confidentiality of patient and medical information.
  6. Volunteers are not permitted to:
    1. Position or lift patients in/out of bed, chair or wheelchair.
    2. Transport patients confined to hospital beds.
    3. Communicate clinical information to patients, clients, visitors or family members.
    4. Document clinical information.
    5. Interpret/translate clinical information in another language.

Requirements:

  1. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.
  2. Successful completion of the application, interview, hospital volunteer orientation, and position specific departmental training.
  3. Volunteers will be required to submit to criminal background inquiry, national governmental sanction check, child abuse clearance, sexual offender registry clearance and Occupational Health Screening.
  4. The Pet Therapy Dog must complete the following requirements.
    1. The dog must be at least 1 year old for testing
    2. Pass required testing with Pet Therapy Program Manager
    3. Up-to-date Health records and vaccinations which include:
      1. DA2PP(distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus)
      2. Bordetella
      3. Rabies
      4. Fecal testing once a year
      5. Heartworm prevention (not only for heartworm, but for deworming for roundworm and at least hookworm on a monthly basis)
    4. Flea prevention (fleas carry and transmit a lot of diseases)
    5. Titer testing will be accepted for certain vaccinations (Rabies not included)
  5. For more information, or questions about the program and/or processes by email Emily Smith, Pet Therapy Program Manager at emily.smith@eskenazihealth.edu

It is Eskenazi Health's philosophy and policy to treat employees, volunteers and applicants fairly and without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran's status or physical or mental ability. Discrimination against any employee, volunteer or applicant based on any of these conditions will not be allowed or tolerated. For additional questions please contact us at: 317-880-3311.

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About HHC

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Software development

Company size

1 - 10 Employees

Headquarters location

Fairfax, VA, US

Year founded

2001

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