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Therapy Dogs Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Wagmore Co

Dog Groomer Part Time

Wayzata, MN · On-site

$28 - $40/hr

Finally, Wagmore Co committed to our community, by providing grooming services for M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital Therapy Dogs - Fern, Inka & Jersey, and Ronald ...

Wagmore Co

Dog Groomer Part Time

Wayzata, MN · On-site

$28 - $40/hr

Finally, Wagmore Co committed to our community, by providing grooming services for M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital Therapy Dogs - Fern, Inka & Jersey, and Ronald ...

Wagmore Co

Dog Groomer Part Time

Wayzata, MN · On-site

$28 - $40/hr

Finally, Wagmore Co committed to our community, by providing grooming services for M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital Therapy Dogs - Fern, Inka & Jersey, and Ronald ...

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Therapy Dogs information

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$8

$13

$18

How much do therapy dogs jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for therapy dogs in the United States is $13.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.78 and $15.38 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.
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Therapy Dogs jobs near you
Infographic showing various Therapy Dogs job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 76% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $28,701 per year, or $13.8 per hour.

Hospice Volunteers - Companion, Music, Pet Therapy, Reiki/Massage, Crafts - Franklin Lakes

Ascend Health Hospice & Palliative Care - New Jersey

Franklin Lakes, NJ • On-site

Other

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

If you have an hour or more per week to give, Ascend Hospice welcomes your gifts of time and compassion. Whether you choose to work directly with patients and families or to volunteer in one of many other ways, you can make a profound difference in someone's life, including your own. Volunteers are an integral part of the hospice team. Volunteers are required to follow CDC guidelines and Ascend Hospice policies. All volunteers must be fully COVID 19 vaccinated and boosted. Volunteers will be provided hospice training and referrals for mandatory medical clearances.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Companionship Volunteers work directly with patients providing companionship, offering friendly visits, reading to patients, writing letters, offering a gentle touch or sharing a quiet moment.

Complementary Volunteers are certified/trained professionals who can provide complementary modalities of reflexology, music, Reiki, & massage.

Ascend Hospice is seeking certified Reiki practitioners to serve our end of life population in finding comfort, relaxation and peace during their final time with us. Reiki Certification is required.

Pet Therapy Volunteers provide companionship from our certified therapy dogs. Pet therapy provides numerous benefits like encouraging movement and physical stimulation and it provides mental benefits like socialization, mental stimulation, companionship, and unconditional love. Please consider sharing your loving pet with us and bring some much needed smiles. Pets must be certified as therapy animals by an organization like TDI Therapy Dogs International- www. Tdi-dog.org or Bright and Beautiful - www.golden-dogs.org.

Music Volunteers are volunteers who specialize in sharing songs or instrumental music with patients and their loved ones. Whether the Music Volunteer is sharing an existing musical skill or playing music via the radio or digital device, the goal is to enhance the quality of life of our patients.

Craft Volunteers consist of individuals or groups who touch patients in a special way by making lap blankets, Tactile blankets, shawls, memory bears and other articles for patients to enjoy.

Bereavement Volunteers offer support to the families of patients who have passed. During the grieving process the bereavement volunteer can be a valuable resource, especially for those who lack a solid support network. They often make phone calls to check up on family members and also send cards of comfort and care.

For more information about our free volunteer training and available opportunities, call our Volunteer Department or visit our website at Ascendhospice.com! We look forward to hearing from you!

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