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Therapy Dogs Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Virginia Heart

Medical Coder

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$23 - $29/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... 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 ...

Virginia Heart

Medical Coder

Falls Church, VA

$23 - $29/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... 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 ...

Virginia Heart

Front Desk Medical Receptionist

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$21 - $25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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

Telephone Triage Registered Nurse

Fairfax, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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

Fairfax, VA

$21 - $25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 Sleep Technologist

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$36 - $42/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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

Purcellville, VA

$21 - $25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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

Cardiac Monitor Technician

Falls Church, VA

$20.75 - $26.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 Sleep Technologist

Falls Church, VA

$36 - $42/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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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Showing results 21-40

All JobsTherapy Dogs JobsTherapy Dogs Jobs in Virginia

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 48% Full Time, 49% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% In-person, and 3% Remote job distribution.

Cardiac Technician - Exercise Physiologist

Virginia Heart

Alexandria, VA • On-site

$25 - $27/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

Location:  Alexandria, VAStatus:  Full-Time / Non-ExemptSalary Range:  $25.00 - $27.00 

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 a professional Cardiac Technician – Exercise Physiologist with critical thinking skills that can work quickly and efficiently while providing excellent patient care. This is an opportunity for growth to a Senior Cardiac Technician.  We offer Stress Test training to new hires who sign a one or two-year commitment and up to a $5,000 incentive.

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
  • 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 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:

  • Assists the provider with patients in the office, including (but not limited to): Clinical Chart Preparation; Obtains the Chief Complaint or reason for the visit; Obtains Vital Signs; Performs an ECG, know the indications for obtaining an ECG; Reviews current Medication List, Past Medical History, Social History, and Review of Systems.
  • Applies holter and event monitors and instructs patients on their use.
  • Performs Stress Testing under the direct supervision of a physician, including nuclear testing. Stress testing is a basic, required job function of the Cardiac Tech.
  • Authorizes prescription refills under direct supervision of the physician.
  • Enters data in the EMR.
  • Provides patient education.
  • Other activities and responsibilities as directed.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, or related major, paramedic, or previous experience with stress test training required 
  • Strong 12-lead ECG interpretation skills
  • Current Basic Life Support (BLS) required; Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) preferred
  • Computer literate: prior experience with the use of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) preferred
  • Prior experience in a clinical position; cardiology field preferred
  • Strong organizational and analytical skills
  • Strong interpersonal and patient care skills
(Click link to view other available openings and locations for our company: https://virginiaheart.hiringplatform.com/list/careers)

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