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Therapy Dogs Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Veterinary Kennel Technician

Franklin, IN ยท On-site

$11.50 - $15/hr

... Cold Therapy Laser, Surgical Laser, 24-hr Nursing Care, Medical Boarding & more. To learn more ... Perform moderately heavy physical labor (large dogs, bags of litter, pet foods, etc). * Ability to ...

$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 ...

... 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 ...

Showing results 21-32

Therapy Dogs information

See Indiana salary details

$7

$13

$17

How much do therapy dogs jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 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.

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.

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 dog certification through organizations like Pet Partners or Therapy Dogs International. Experience with dogs, good communication skills, and a background in healthcare or social work can also be beneficial; some positions may require background checks and ongoing training.

Is animal assisted therapy a good career?

Animal assisted therapy is a recognized profession involving trained therapy dogs working with certified handlers to support mental and physical health. It requires specific training, certifications, and a background in healthcare or social services, and often involves working in healthcare facilities, schools, or community programs. The career can be rewarding but also demands strong interpersonal skills and adherence to safety and ethical standards.

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.
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 cities in Indiana are hiring for Therapy Dogs jobs? Cities in Indiana with the most Therapy Dogs job openings:
Infographic showing various Therapy Dogs job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 38% Full Time, 58% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $27,311 per year, or $13.1 per hour.

Veterinary Kennel Technician

Franklin Animal Clinic

Franklin, IN โ€ข On-site

$11.50 - $15/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

Company Description

Franklin Animal Clinic is a well-established, progressive, fast paced 6 doctor small animal practice located in Franklin, IN. We offer many services to provide the best comprehensive care to our patients including Wellness Services, Urgent Care, Emergency & Critical Care, General & Orthopedic Surgery, Digital Full Body and Dental X-Ray, Ultrasound, CT, Full In-House Idexx Laboratory, In-House Pharmacy, Cold Therapy Laser, Surgical Laser, 24-hr Nursing Care, Medical Boarding & more.

To learn more about us click here. 

Job Description

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

The kennel tech is responsible for the care, feeding, medicating and cleaning of our patients in hospital, and our clients in the boarding facility. This job involves cleaning, such as sweeping, mopping, and emptying trash. This position is responsible for restocking hospital supplies, proper recordkeeping of medications, special foods, appetite, behavior and any issue that may arise while the animal is in our care. They will also be trained to clean and sterilize surgical instruments.

Qualifications

We are looking for someone with:

  • Knowledge of cleaning and disinfecting methods.
  • Proper methods of animal restraint.
  • Ability to use cleaning materials and equipment with skill and efficiency. 
  • Perform moderately heavy physical labor (large dogs, bags of litter, pet foods, etc).
  • Ability to sympathetically and patiently attend to sick, scared and injured animals. 
  • Ability to learn to administer medications and to recognize abnormal conditions.
  • Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
  • Maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of the job. 

Additional Information

We offer our staff:

  • Comprehensive Benefits (health, dental, vision, liability, 401k & 401K matching program, life & supplemental insurance, HSA, & FSA)
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Paid Vacation and Sick Time for ALL Employees
  • Paid Bereavement Program
  • Paid Parental Leave Program
  • Competitive Compensation
  • Continuing Education Allowance (applies to licensed/registered/certified roles)
  • Tuition Reimbursement Program Available to any AVMA Accredited Veterinary Technology Program
  • Career Development Opportunities
  • Referral Bonus Program for most positions!
  • Additional Benefits May Also Be Available (i.e. Personal Pet Discounts, Holiday Pay, Uniform Allowance, Bonuses etc)
  • Hiring eligibility may be contingent to a candidate authorizing and completing a satisfactory background check.

*Note – some benefits may only be available to or vary slightly for full time employment status vs part time status.

For additional details including our full equal opportunity statement, texting/outreach communication authorization, physical requirements of the job and more, please visit https://allianceanimal.com/additionaljobdescriptiondetails/.