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Therapy Dogs Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Gentiva Hospice

Pet Therapy Volunteer

Woodbridge, VA · On-site

The dog must be certified/ registered by an American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized therapy dog organization ( Other certified/registered therapy animals will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. All ...

Virginia Heart

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.

Virginia Heart

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.

Virginia Heart

Registered Nurse (RN)

Arlington, VA

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

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.

Virginia Heart

Registered Nurse (RN)

Alexandria, VA

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.

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Therapy Dogs information

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 Virginia? For Therapy Dogs jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Therapy Dogs jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Therapy Dogs jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Therapy Dogs jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Therapy Dogs job openings:
Therapy Dogs jobs near you
Infographic showing various Therapy Dogs job openings in Virginia 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.

Pet Therapy Volunteer

Gentiva Hospice

Woodbridge, VA • On-site

Other

Re-posted 17 days ago

Gentiva Health Services rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 109 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

22nd of 239 rated social care providers

Job description

The Pet Therapy Volunteer serves as an additional support to patients, families and caregivers by making friendly visits with his/ her certified therapy animal. Visits may occur in the patient’s home or in a professional care setting (subject to the rules of the facility). Both the Volunteer and the certified therapy animal provide comfort, companionship and a welcome distraction from the illness.

PET: The majority of animals serving in this capacity will be a dog. The dog must be certified/ registered by an American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized therapy dog organization (http://www.akc.org/events/title-recognition-program/therapy/organizations/). Other certified/registered therapy animals will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. All required vaccinations must be up to date and copies of the vaccinations/ medical evaluation must be maintained in the Volunteer’s Personnel File; required vaccines include Rabies and Distemper. A copy of the current certification/registration, in addition to the liability insurance coverage, must also be maintained.

VOLUNTEER: The Pet Therapy Volunteer must have an understanding of Hospice Philosophy and possess the ability to actively listen and communicative compassionately with patients, families and caregivers. He/ she must always accompany the certified therapy animal on visits; it is not acceptable for another handler to accompany the animal. He/ she must have access to reliable transportation. Additionally, he/ she must:

  1. Be at least 18 years of age
  2. Satisfactorily complete all requirements to serve as a Direct Care Volunteer (a copy of the Direct Care Volunteer Job Description must be signed and maintained in the Volunteer Personnel File in addition to the Pet Therapy Volunteer Job Description)
  3. Successfully complete the Direct Care Volunteer Orientation

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