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Therapy Dogs Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Virginia Heart

Registered Nurse (RN)

Leesburg, 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)

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)

Falls Church, 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 · 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)

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

Medical Coder

Falls Church, VA

$23 - $29/hr

... 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

Reston, VA · On-site

$21 - $25/hr

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 Coder

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$23 - $29/hr

... 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 ...

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Therapy Dogs information

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How much do therapy dogs jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for therapy dogs in Washington is $15.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.32 and $17.40 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.

What are popular job titles related to Therapy Dogs jobs in Washington?

For Therapy Dogs jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Therapy Dogs jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Therapy Dogs jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Therapy Dogs jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Therapy Dogs job openings:

Therapy Dogs jobs near you
Infographic showing various Therapy Dogs job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 45% Full Time, 50% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,507 per year, or $15.6 per hour.

Registered Nurse (RN)

Leesburg, VA • On-site

Virginia Heart
Outpatient Health Care • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about Virginia Heartexternal

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

Location: Loudoun, VA
Status: Full-Time / Non-Exempt
Salary Range: $36.00 - $40.50
$10,000 Sign-On Bonus
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 an experienced professional Registered Nurse to provide primary clinical support to the providers, ensuring that through teamwork, patients and other customers are provided quality and efficient clinical service.
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
  • 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:
  • Performs anti-coagulation therapy management
  • Performs in office and telephone triage
  • Provides patient education
  • Authorizes prescription refills according to policy under supervision of a physician
  • Notifies patients of test results per Virginia Heart protocol
  • Rooming in office patients to include: clinical chart preparation, obtaining the chief complaint or reason for the visit, obtaining vital signs, performing an ECG, reviewing current medications and allergies, updating patient history and review of systems.
  • Performs stress testing under the direct supervision of a physician
  • Assists the echocardiographer with echocardiogram bubble studies, and contrast echocardiography
  • Assists as the main point of escalation for other clinical staff members such as MA's, LPN's and Cardiac Technicians.
  • Provides a safe environment for patients and staff
  • Works as a resuscitative team member in emergency situations, including administration of IV medications
  • Maintains the clinical flow of the office in a professional, courteous, and safe manner
  • Respects and maintains patient privacy and dignity. Adheres to HIPAA law at all times.
REQUIREMENTS:
  • Successful completion of a Registered Nurse program.
  • Current Virginia State Registered Nurse License in good standing or valid Compact State License.
  • Minimum one year of clinical experience, cardiology experience preferred.
  • Ability to interpret 12-lead ECGs preferred.
  • Knowledge of cardiac medications (classifications, side effects, etc.) preferred.
  • Current BLS required; ACLS preferred.
  • Computer literate and prior experience with an Electronic Medical Record (EMR), EPIC preferred.
  • Strong patient education and communication skills
Click link to view other available RN openings and locations for our company: https://virginiaheart.hiringplatform.com/list/careers)

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