Animal Therapy Coordinator Job Description [Updated for 2025]

In an era of holistic health, the focus on Animal Therapy Coordinators has never been greater.

As the field of animal-assisted therapy continues to develop, the need for compassionate individuals who can manage, enhance, and protect these therapeutic programs becomes increasingly critical.

But let’s take a closer look: What’s truly expected from an Animal Therapy Coordinator?

Whether you are:

• A job seeker trying to understand the nuances of this role,
• A hiring manager outlining the perfect candidate,
• Or simply captivated by the realm of animal-assisted therapy,

You’ve come to the right place.

Today, we present a customizable Animal Therapy Coordinator job description template, designed for effortless posting on job boards or career sites.

Let’s delve right into it.

Animal Therapy Coordinator Duties and Responsibilities

Animal Therapy Coordinators help to facilitate therapy sessions between animals and patients in need of physical or emotional healing.

They collaborate with healthcare and veterinary professionals to ensure the wellbeing of both the patient and the therapy animal.

They have the following duties and responsibilities:

• Coordinate therapy sessions between patients and therapy animals
• Ensure therapy animals are suitable for the program and are well taken care of
• Monitor animal behavior and health, and report any concerns or issues
• Train animals and animal handlers to interact effectively and safely with patients
• Work closely with healthcare professionals to tailor the therapy to individual patient’s needs
• Monitor and document patient progress and reactions to therapy
• Ensure all therapy sessions adhere to local health and safety regulations
• Handle administrative tasks, such as scheduling, patient documentation, and animal care records
• Advocate for the benefits of animal therapy and promote the program within the community

 

Animal Therapy Coordinator Job Description Template

Job Brief

We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Animal Therapy Coordinator to join our team.

The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating and supervising all aspects of our Animal Assisted Therapy program.

This includes planning and executing therapy sessions, maintaining animal health and safety, and coordinating with therapists, handlers, and clients.

If you have a passion for improving people’s lives through animal interaction, we would like to meet you.

 

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and supervise all aspects of the Animal Assisted Therapy program.
• Plan and execute individual and group therapy sessions.
• Ensure animal health and safety during therapy sessions.
• Coordinate with therapists, handlers, and clients to ensure effective therapy sessions.
• Maintain records of therapy sessions, animal health, and client progress.
• Train and supervise therapy animals and handlers.
• Adhere to all relevant laws and regulations relating to animal welfare and therapy.
• Develop and implement outreach programs to promote animal therapy.

 

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Animal Therapy Coordinator or similar role.
• Experience working with animals, preferably in a therapeutic setting.
• Understanding of animal behavior and training techniques.
• Knowledge of the principles and methods of animal-assisted therapy.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Compassionate and patient with a deep love for animals.
• Degree in Animal Behavior, Psychology, Social Work, or related field is an advantage.

 

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Professional development opportunities

 

Additional Information

• Job Title: Animal Therapy Coordinator
• Work Environment: This job is primarily performed in a therapeutic facility with regular visits to client homes, schools, and other venues for therapy sessions. This role involves frequent physical activity and interaction with animals.
• Reporting Structure: Reports to the Therapy Services Manager.
• Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Pay Range: $40,000 minimum to $60,000 maximum
• Location: [City, State] (specify the location or indicate if remote)
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
• Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience to [email address or application portal].

 

What Does an Animal Therapy Coordinator Do?

Animal Therapy Coordinators work in various settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, schools, and private practices.

They are responsible for coordinating and managing the activities related to animal-assisted therapy.

Their primary role is to work with licensed therapists and trained animals to help patients recover from or better cope with health problems, such as heart disease, mental health disorders, and developmental disorders.

They are involved in selecting the appropriate therapy animals for different therapeutic needs, based on the animals’ temperament, training, and suitability for the environment.

Animal Therapy Coordinators also oversee the training of therapy animals to ensure they are well-behaved and safe around patients.

They also must ensure that the animals are well-cared for and that their own health needs are met.

They also plan and organize therapy sessions, manage schedules, and monitor patient progress.

They are responsible for maintaining detailed records of each therapy session, patient responses, and any changes in treatment plans.

Furthermore, Animal Therapy Coordinators need to ensure all activities comply with relevant regulations and animal welfare standards.

They may also be involved in raising awareness about the benefits of animal-assisted therapy and advocating for its use in different therapeutic settings.

 

Animal Therapy Coordinator Qualifications and Skills

An effective Animal Therapy Coordinator should have the skills and qualifications that match your job description, such as:

• Knowledge of animal behavior and care to ensure the wellbeing of therapy animals
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to liaise between patients, therapists, and animal handlers
• Organizational skills to manage therapy schedules, animal care, and patient records
• Empathy and compassion to understand and address the needs of patients
• Problem-solving skills to handle any issues or emergencies that arise during therapy sessions
• Physical fitness and comfort with animals to assist with therapy sessions and animal care as needed
• Ability to follow ethical guidelines and ensure the safety and welfare of both the animals and patients
• Knowledge of therapeutic techniques and how to apply them with the help of therapy animals

 

Animal Therapy Coordinator Experience Requirements

Candidates for the role of an Animal Therapy Coordinator usually require at least a bachelor’s degree in fields related to animal science, psychology, rehabilitation, or therapy.

This academic background provides the needed knowledge about animal behavior and their therapeutic benefits.

Typically, entry-level candidates have 1 to 2 years of experience, often gained through internships or part-time roles in animal care or therapy centers.

This practical experience is necessary to handle animals and understand their responses, as well as to learn how to facilitate animal-human interactions for therapeutic purposes.

Candidates with around 3 years of experience often have a deeper understanding of the application of animal-assisted therapy.

They would have honed their skills in coordinating therapy sessions, developing therapy plans, and ensuring the welfare of the animals involved.

Those with more than 5 years of experience may have held managerial roles where they oversaw a team of animal therapy specialists or ran an animal-assisted therapy center.

These individuals may have experience in training animals specifically for therapeutic purposes and have a thorough understanding of regulatory compliance related to animal therapy.

Certification as an animal-assisted therapist or similar is a big plus, demonstrating a commitment to the field and specific knowledge about using animals in therapeutic settings.

Knowledge of specific types of therapy animals and corresponding certifications can also be advantageous.

 

Animal Therapy Coordinator Education and Training Requirements

To pursue a career as an Animal Therapy Coordinator, individuals typically require a bachelor’s degree in a field related to animal health or psychology.

Relevant fields of study may include animal science, veterinary science, zoology, animal behavior, or psychology.

In addition to the degree, a foundational understanding of animal behavior and human-animal interaction is crucial.

This knowledge can be gained through internships, volunteering, or relevant work experience with animals.

Some positions may require a master’s degree or a certification in animal-assisted therapy.

These advanced programs provide specialized knowledge about using animals for therapeutic purposes and managing animal therapy programs.

It is also essential for an Animal Therapy Coordinator to have a strong background in handling different types of animals used in therapy, such as dogs, horses, or even smaller animals like guinea pigs and rabbits.

This may require additional training, workshops, or certifications depending on the type of animal involved.

Furthermore, Animal Therapy Coordinators must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as they are responsible for coordinating therapy sessions, interacting with clients, and ensuring the well-being of the therapy animals.

These skills can be developed through practical experience in the field.

Lastly, in some regions, Animal Therapy Coordinators may need to be licensed or registered with a professional board.

This often involves passing an examination and completing a certain number of supervised work hours in the field.

The field also encourages continuous learning and development, with many Animal Therapy Coordinators choosing to pursue additional qualifications or specialist training courses throughout their career.

 

Animal Therapy Coordinator Salary Expectations

An Animal Therapy Coordinator earns an average salary of $45,000 (USD) per year.

The actual earnings may vary depending on the coordinator’s level of experience, the location, and the size and type of the employing organization, such as hospitals, clinics, or animal therapy centres.

 

Animal Therapy Coordinator Job Description FAQs

What qualifications does an Animal Therapy Coordinator need?

An Animal Therapy Coordinator typically needs a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as animal science, psychology, social work, or occupational therapy.

It’s also beneficial to have experience in animal-assisted therapy programs or therapeutic recreation.

Certification or additional training in animal-assisted therapy is often desirable.

 

What are the primary responsibilities of an Animal Therapy Coordinator?

The Animal Therapy Coordinator is responsible for organizing and coordinating animal-assisted therapy programs.

This includes working closely with the therapy team, ensuring animal welfare, and maintaining compliance with all relevant regulations.

They may also be involved in the selection and training of therapy animals and could play a role in client assessments and therapy sessions.

 

What qualities make a good Animal Therapy Coordinator?

A successful Animal Therapy Coordinator should have a passion for animals and a strong belief in the healing power of animal-assisted therapy.

They need excellent communication skills, as they interact with clients, therapists, and animal handlers.

Organizational skills are also crucial, as they coordinate therapy sessions, maintain records, and manage the therapy animal team.

A good Animal Therapy Coordinator should also be empathetic, patient, and have a good understanding of the therapeutic process.

 

What should you look for in an Animal Therapy Coordinator’s resume?

In addition to the necessary qualifications and experience, look for evidence of a genuine passion for animal-assisted therapy.

Experience in a therapeutic or healthcare setting can also be beneficial.

Look for signs of strong organizational and management skills, as well as the ability to work as part of a team.

Finally, any additional certifications, such as in animal behavior or therapy, would be a plus.

 

Conclusion

So there you have it.

Today, we’ve delved into the true essence of being an animal therapy coordinator.

And guess what?

It’s not just about playing with animals.

It’s about fostering healing and happiness, one therapy session at a time.

With our comprehensive animal therapy coordinator job description template and real-world examples, you’re all set to embark on your journey.

But why stop there?

Dig deeper with our job description generator. It’s your next step to crafting precise job listings or honing your resume to perfection.

Remember:

Every therapy session is a part of the larger healing process.

Let’s create that brighter future. Together.

How to Become an Animal Therapy Coordinator (Complete Guide)

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