Animal Therapy Handler Job Description [Updated for 2025]

In an increasingly health-conscious world, the focus on animal therapy handlers is growing ever more prevalent.

As society’s appreciation for the therapeutic benefits of animals expands, so does the demand for skilled individuals who can guide, facilitate, and ensure the safety of this unique interaction.

But let’s delve deeper: What’s truly expected from an animal therapy handler?

Whether you are:

• A job seeker trying to understand the core responsibilities of this role,
• A hiring manager constructing the profile of the perfect candidate,
• Or simply fascinated by the field of animal-assisted therapy,

You’re in the right place.

Today, we present a customizable animal therapy handler job description template, designed for easy posting on job boards or career sites.

Let’s dive right in.

Animal Therapy Handler Duties and Responsibilities

Animal Therapy Handlers have the critical role of using their animal partners to provide therapeutic benefits to a variety of individuals.

They often work in settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and psychiatric facilities.

Animal Therapy Handlers need a strong understanding of animal behavior and care, as well as the capacity to interact compassionately with individuals who may have physical or mental health challenges.

Their duties and responsibilities include:

• Selecting and training suitable animals for therapy purposes
• Ensuring the welfare and comfort of the therapy animal at all times
• Conducting therapy sessions with the animal, tailored to the individual needs of clients
• Monitoring and documenting the progress of clients during therapy sessions
• Maintaining a calm, safe environment for both the animal and client
• Following all rules and guidelines about animal therapy
• Communicating effectively with healthcare professionals, clients, and their families
• Keeping records of the animal’s health and behavior
• Providing basic care to the animal including feeding, grooming, and medical care
• Teaching clients how to properly interact with the therapy animal

 

Animal Therapy Handler Job Description Template

Job Brief

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

The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to improving the emotional wellbeing of patients through the use of therapy animals.

The Animal Therapy Handler will be responsible for managing the day-to-day activities related to the therapy animals, including training, care, and ensuring that interactions between the animals and patients are safe and beneficial.

 

Responsibilities

• Train therapy animals to interact positively and safely with patients
• Ensure the wellbeing and care of therapy animals
• Observe and monitor therapy sessions to ensure safety for both the patients and the therapy animals
• Document therapy sessions and patient progress
• Maintain cleanliness and orderliness of therapy areas
• Work closely with healthcare professionals to develop and implement therapy plans
• Provide education and information about animal-assisted therapy to patients, families, and staff

 

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Therapy Animal Handler or similar position
• Experience in handling and training animals, preferably therapy animals
• Knowledge of animal behavior and care
• Ability to manage animals in a variety of therapy settings
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a diverse range of patients
• Patience, empathy, and a genuine interest in helping others
• Certification in animal-assisted therapy is a plus
• High school diploma or equivalent; further training will be a plus

 

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Professional development opportunities

 

Additional Information

• Job Title: Animal Therapy Handler
• Work Environment: This position may require working in various settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, etc.
• Reporting Structure: Reports to the Therapy Program Manager.
• Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Pay Range: $35,000 minimum to $55,000 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 Handler Do?

Animal Therapy Handlers work in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and rehabilitation centers.

They are responsible for using animals to provide therapeutic support to individuals with various conditions such as trauma, depression, autism, and physical disabilities.

They bring their animals to sessions and monitor the interactions between the animal and the patient.

This involves ensuring the safety and welfare of both the animal and the individual involved in the therapy.

Animal Therapy Handlers also train their animals to behave appropriately in various situations and to respond positively to human interaction.

They work closely with healthcare professionals to plan and evaluate therapy sessions.

They may also be required to document the progress of individuals and provide this information to the healthcare team.

In addition, Animal Therapy Handlers often educate others about the benefits of animal therapy, and they may be involved in raising awareness and funds for animal therapy programs.

 

Animal Therapy Handler Qualifications and Skills

An Animal Therapy Handler must possess a unique set of skills and qualifications to effectively perform their role, which includes:

• Experience working with animals and understanding their behavior, needs, and responses.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to facilitate interaction between the therapy animal and clients and to manage client expectations and needs.
• Patient and empathetic demeanor, as working with individuals requiring therapy can be challenging and requires a sensitive approach.
• Knowledge of therapy techniques and the ability to adapt these techniques to suit various clients, including those with physical, emotional, or psychological challenges.
• Physical fitness and stamina to handle animals of various sizes and temperaments, and to ensure the safety of both the animal and the client.
• Excellent communication skills to effectively relay information about the therapy process to clients, their families, and healthcare professionals.
• Problem-solving skills to quickly identify and manage any issues or concerns that may arise during therapy sessions.
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the progress of the client and adjust therapy plans as needed.

 

Animal Therapy Handler Experience Requirements

An Animal Therapy Handler usually begins their career journey with a strong interest in animals and their therapeutic benefits.

This interest often drives them to acquire a degree or certification in animal sciences, psychology, therapy, or a related field.

Entry-level animal therapy handlers may have around 1 to 2 years of experience working directly with animals, possibly obtained through internships, volunteer work at animal shelters, or part-time roles in pet care or veterinary clinics.

During this period, they gain valuable experience in understanding animal behavior and their interaction with humans.

For roles that require 3 to 5 years of experience, candidates are expected to have a deeper understanding of animal-assisted therapy and its application in various therapeutic settings.

This experience can be obtained by working in roles such as Animal Assisted Therapist, Animal Behaviorist, or Therapy Animal Trainer.

Those with over 5 years of experience likely have a proven track record of successfully handling therapy animals and facilitating animal-assisted interventions in a variety of settings.

These professionals may also have some experience in supervisory or managerial roles, overseeing the work of other therapy handlers, and training therapy animals.

As such, they are often considered for positions that require leadership and extensive knowledge of animal-assisted therapy.

 

Animal Therapy Handler Education and Training Requirements

Animal Therapy Handlers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent.

This role usually requires substantial experience in animal handling or animal-related fields, such as veterinary technology or animal science.

To excel in the role, individuals may pursue a bachelor’s degree or certificate program in animal-assisted therapy, psychology, occupational therapy, or a related field.

They should also gain practical experience working with animals and people, especially those with disabilities or health conditions.

A significant aspect of training for an Animal Therapy Handler is understanding and interpreting animal behavior.

Therefore, courses or experience in animal behavior or ethology can be beneficial.

Licensure is not typically required for Animal Therapy Handlers.

However, certification can enhance credibility and job prospects.

Organizations like the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers or Pet Partners offer relevant certifications.

It’s essential for Animal Therapy Handlers to maintain ongoing education, as the field often introduces new techniques and strategies to improve the effectiveness of therapy.

Furthermore, Animal Therapy Handlers must often complete a supervised internship or practicum to gain hands-on experience in the field.

These programs may be offered through an animal therapy organization, hospital, or school.

Knowledge of first aid for animals and humans is also crucial, and certification in these areas may be required by some employers.

Lastly, strong interpersonal skills and patience are vital for Animal Therapy Handlers, as they work closely with patients who may be experiencing physical or emotional distress.

 

Animal Therapy Handler Salary Expectations

An Animal Therapy Handler can expect to earn an average salary of $31,000 (USD) per year.

However, the actual income can vary depending on factors such as level of experience, certification, location, and the organization for which they work.

 

Animal Therapy Handler Job Description FAQs

What skills does an Animal Therapy Handler need?

An Animal Therapy Handler needs to possess strong interpersonal skills, as they often work closely with clients in sensitive situations.

They also need to have a deep understanding of animal behavior and ability to manage animals calmly and effectively.

Physical fitness and stamina are essential as this role can involve heavy lifting and long hours standing.

Patience, empathy, and a genuine love for animals are also necessary.

 

Do Animal Therapy Handlers need a degree?

While not always required, some Animal Therapy Handlers may have a degree in fields like psychology, social work, animal science, or veterinary medicine.

However, certification in animal-assisted therapy is often necessary.

This certification includes training on how to handle animals, understanding animal behavior, and knowledge of therapeutic techniques.

 

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

A good Animal Therapy Handler’s resume should highlight relevant experience working with animals, especially therapy animals if possible.

They should also have certification in animal-assisted therapy and possibly additional training in healthcare or therapy.

Finally, look for evidence of physical fitness and stamina, as well as the ability to handle potentially stressful situations with calmness and professionalism.

 

What qualities make a good Animal Therapy Handler?

A good Animal Therapy Handler is compassionate, patient, and has excellent interpersonal skills.

They should have a deep understanding and passion for animals, as well as the ability to handle animals effectively and calmly.

Physical fitness is important as the job can be physically demanding.

They should also be empathetic, as they will be working closely with individuals who may be going through difficult times.

 

Is it challenging to hire Animal Therapy Handlers?

Hiring Animal Therapy Handlers can be challenging as it requires a unique skill set – a combination of animal handling skills, therapeutic knowledge, and excellent interpersonal skills.

Furthermore, the candidates need to be physically fit and capable of handling the physical demands of the job.

However, with the right approach and thorough screening process, it is possible to find candidates who are well-suited to this rewarding role.

 

Conclusion

And there you have it.

Today, we’ve explored the compassionate and rewarding world of being an animal therapy handler.

And guess what?

It’s not just about loving animals.

It’s about facilitating healing and happiness, one pet at a time.

With our comprehensive animal therapy handler job description template and real-world examples, you’re all set to make your passion your profession.

But why stop there?

Dive deeper with our job description generator. It’s your key to creating precise job listings or fine-tuning your resume to perfection.

Remember:

Every interaction with an animal is a part of a bigger healing journey.

Let’s make that difference. Together.

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