26 Disadvantages of Being an Animal Therapy Handler (Tails of Hardship)
Considering a career as an animal therapy handler?
It’s easy to be charmed by the benefits:
- Working with animals.
- Enhancing people’s lives.
- The joy of seeing immediate, positive impact.
However, there’s more to the picture.
Today, we’re delving deeper. Much deeper.
Into the complicated, the taxing, and the downright daunting aspects of being an animal therapy handler.
Intensive training? Absolutely.
Significant financial costs? Definitely.
Emotional stress from dealing with patients’ diverse needs? Undeniably.
And let’s not overlook the unpredictable nature of working with animals.
So, if you’re contemplating a career in animal therapy, or just intrigued about what lies beneath the surface…
Stay with us.
You’re about to gain an in-depth understanding of the disadvantages of being an animal therapy handler.
Emotional Attachment and Potential Loss of Therapy Animals
Animal Therapy Handlers work closely with their therapy animals, creating a deep bond and emotional attachment.
These animals are not just pets, but partners in the therapeutic process.
The handlers spend a lot of time training and caring for them, which naturally leads to a strong emotional connection.
This can make it extremely difficult when the animal becomes ill, ages or passes away.
The loss of a therapy animal can be just as devastating, if not more so, than losing a pet.
Dealing with the potential loss while maintaining a professional demeanor can be emotionally draining and stressful.
This is a unique disadvantage of this role that many other professions don’t have to contend with.
Risk of Injury From Unpredictable Animal Behavior
Working as an Animal Therapy Handler involves close interaction with animals, which carries a risk of injury due to unpredictable animal behavior.
Even when animals are well-trained, they may react unexpectedly under certain circumstances or if they are stressed or agitated.
Animal handlers may be bitten, scratched, or knocked down, leading to potential physical harm.
The risk of injury is higher with larger animals or those with aggressive tendencies.
Even beyond physical injuries, handlers may be at risk of catching zoonotic diseases, which are diseases that can be transferred from animals to humans.
It is critical for handlers to be well-trained in animal behavior and safety precautions to minimize these risks.
Possibility of Zoonotic Disease Transmission
Animal therapy handlers are at a higher risk of contracting zoonotic diseases, which are diseases that can be transferred from animals to humans.
This includes various types of parasites, bacterial and viral diseases.
Handlers often have to physically interact with a variety of animals, and despite regular health checks and vaccinations, there is always a risk of disease transmission.
Therefore, it is crucial for handlers to maintain good hygiene and take necessary precautions to minimize this risk.
This aspect of the job can be particularly stressful for individuals who are more susceptible to infections or have compromised immune systems.
Stress From Managing Animals in Different Therapy Environments
As an Animal Therapy Handler, it can be challenging to manage animals in various therapy settings.
These settings can range from hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and mental health facilities, each requiring different levels of supervision and control over the animals.
The animals’ unpredictable behavior can add to the stress as they may react differently to various environments and patients.
This might require constant attention and management to ensure the safety and well-being of both the animals and the patients.
These factors could lead to a high-stress work environment, potentially leading to burnout if not properly managed.
Furthermore, the emotional attachment formed with the animals and the clients can also lead to stress, especially in situations where the client’s health deteriorates or an animal needs to be replaced.
Scheduling Challenges for Client Sessions and Animal Needs
Animal therapy handlers need to constantly juggle between the schedules of their clients and the needs of the therapy animals.
Therapy sessions with clients should be scheduled at times when the client is most comfortable and receptive, which may not always coincide with regular working hours.
This might involve working during evenings or weekends and can lead to irregular and long work hours.
On the other hand, therapy animals also require regular care, feeding, and exercise schedules that cannot be compromised.
This could also involve dealing with sudden health issues of the animal, which may require immediate attention.
Balancing the needs of both clients and animals can often become a significant challenge in this role.
Financial Burdens Due to Animal Care and Veterinary Costs
Working as an Animal Therapy Handler can often lead to significant financial burdens due to the costs associated with caring for and maintaining the health of the therapy animals.
These costs include regular and emergency veterinary care, food, grooming, and training expenses.
The handler is typically responsible for these costs, which can add up quickly and significantly impact their personal financial situation.
Furthermore, as the animals age, their care requirements may increase, leading to higher costs.
Additionally, insurance to cover potential injuries or damages caused by the animals may also be a necessary expense.
This financial pressure can create stress and can make the role challenging for those who are not financially prepared.
Physical Demands of Handling and Transporting Animals
Animal Therapy Handlers often need to perform physically demanding tasks.
This can include lifting and transporting animals of various sizes and weights, standing for long periods of time during therapy sessions, or restraining animals that may become agitated.
The handler may also need to bend, twist, or stoop frequently to clean up after the animals or play with them.
These physical demands can lead to fatigue and the potential for injury.
Furthermore, working with animals also means exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases, which could pose health risks.
Despite these challenges, many handlers find the rewards of helping individuals through animal therapy to be worth the physical demands.
Compliance With Varied Regulations for Animal-Assisted Interventions
Animal therapy handlers face the challenge of adhering to a myriad of regulations and guidelines for animal-assisted interventions.
Different facilities, such as hospitals, schools, and nursing homes, may have distinct rules and protocols concerning hygiene, animal behavior, and handler qualifications.
These rules can vary widely, and not knowing or understanding them could potentially lead to legal issues.
Additionally, handlers must also comply with laws and regulations set by local, state, and federal agencies regarding animal welfare and public safety.
This can be time-consuming and stressful, especially if the rules change frequently or are complex to understand.
Therefore, the handler’s job not only involves the care and training of the therapy animal but also staying up-to-date with various regulations.
Limited Recognition and Understand of Animal Therapy’s Benefits
As an Animal Therapy Handler, you may often face the challenge of limited recognition and understanding of the benefits of animal therapy.
Despite the proven positive effects of animal-assisted therapy in various settings, there are many who still do not acknowledge its significance.
You may find it difficult to convince potential clients, healthcare providers or even certain institutions about the value and impact of your work.
This could lead to difficulties in finding work, securing funding or gaining the necessary permissions for therapy sessions.
Moreover, the lack of understanding may also result in low pay and limited growth opportunities in the field.
It can also be emotionally draining when the importance of your role is not recognized or appreciated.
Animal therapy handlers often encounter clients who have allergies to certain animals or who are afraid of them.
This can make the therapy process more challenging as handlers must take these factors into account when planning therapy sessions.
For instance, if a client is allergic to dogs, the handler must find an alternative therapy animal.
Similarly, if a client has a fear of animals, the handler must take extra precautions to ensure that the client feels safe during the therapy session.
This often requires additional time, patience and creativity on the part of the animal therapy handler, and there’s always a risk that the therapy might not be as effective if the client is uncomfortable around the therapy animal.
Emotional Drain from Working with Clients in Difficult Situations
Animal Therapy Handlers often work with clients who are in emotionally challenging situations such as patients with chronic illnesses, veterans with PTSD, or children with autism.
Seeing their struggles and the pain they are going through can be emotionally draining for the handler.
They need to remain compassionate and patient, which can be difficult when dealing with cases of severe trauma or distress.
Additionally, since the therapy animals can also pick up on these emotions, the handler must also manage the animal’s stress and wellbeing.
This constant emotional output can lead to compassion fatigue or burnout if not managed properly.
Need for Continuous Training and Certification of Therapy Animals
Animal therapy handlers are responsible for the continuous training and certification of therapy animals which can be a significant drawback.
Animals, just like humans, require constant training to keep their skills sharp and relevant.
This means that therapy handlers must dedicate a substantial amount of their time to training sessions.
Additionally, therapy animals need to be recertified regularly to prove they still meet the necessary standards.
This certification process can be time-consuming, and failing to meet the certification requirements can lead to an inability to work.
This continuous cycle of training and certification can put a lot of pressure on therapy handlers, not only in terms of time but also financially, as certifications often come with an associated cost.
Insurance Liability in Case of Accidents Involving Therapy Animals
As an animal therapy handler, one of the major concerns is the insurance liability in case of accidents involving therapy animals.
Therapy animals, although trained, are still animals and can be unpredictable.
They might accidentally scratch or bite someone, or a patient could have an allergic reaction.
There could also be instances where the therapy animal could cause damage to property.
In these scenarios, the handler can be held responsible for any resulting medical or repair costs.
While liability insurance can cover some of these expenses, it can still be a significant financial burden, and the process of dealing with insurance claims can be time-consuming and stressful.
Furthermore, the potential for such incidents can add additional pressure to the handler’s role, knowing they must always maintain control of the therapy animal to prevent such occurrences.
Balancing the Welfare of Animals With Therapeutic Goals
As an Animal Therapy Handler, one of the main challenges can be balancing the welfare of the animals with the therapeutic goals of the patients.
Therapy animals are often exposed to a variety of environments and situations which can potentially cause stress or discomfort to them.
Ensuring that the animals are well-cared for, not overworked, and comfortable in their surroundings, while simultaneously meeting the needs of the patients, can be a difficult juggling act.
Handlers need to be vigilant about signs of stress or fatigue in their animals and be prepared to advocate for their well-being, which might at times conflict with the therapeutic needs or wants of the patients.
It is crucial for a successful therapy program to maintain this balance, and it may require difficult decisions and continuous monitoring.
Addressing Misconceptions About Animal-Assisted Therapy
Animal Therapy Handlers often face the challenge of addressing misconceptions about animal-assisted therapy.
Many individuals, including potential clients and healthcare professionals, may not fully understand the benefits and effectiveness of this type of therapy.
They may view it as less serious or less effective compared to more traditional forms of treatment.
As a result, handlers have to dedicate significant time and effort to educate others about the validity and benefits of their work.
This can be frustrating and time-consuming, especially when they encounter resistance or skepticism.
Also, dealing with people who have allergies or fear of animals can be another obstacle that makes this job demanding.
Potential for Burnout Due to Emotional Nature of Work
Animal Therapy Handlers often work with individuals who are dealing with a wide range of emotional, physical, and mental health issues.
This includes patients with severe anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and terminal illnesses, among others.
The role requires handlers to provide emotional support to these individuals, which can be emotionally draining and lead to compassion fatigue or burnout over time.
Additionally, handlers can also become emotionally attached to their therapy animals, making it difficult when those animals age, become ill, or pass away.
The constant emotional investment and the need to provide empathy and support can take a toll on one’s mental health, leading to a high potential for burnout in this job role.
Difficulties in Evaluating and Demonstrating Therapeutic Outcomes
Animal therapy handlers often face challenges in evaluating and proving the therapeutic outcomes of their work.
Unlike traditional therapies, the results of animal therapy are not always immediate or tangible.
It can be hard to quantify the emotional and psychological benefits that the therapy animals provide.
This can make it difficult to demonstrate the effectiveness of animal therapy to skeptical healthcare providers, potential clients, or insurance companies.
This may lead to difficulties in securing funding or support for animal therapy programs.
Moreover, the lack of standard evaluation methods or universally accepted benchmarks can also add to the complexity of this role.
Maintaining Boundaries Between Service and Pet Animals
Being an Animal Therapy Handler often involves dealing with emotional attachments and maintaining boundaries between service animals and regular pets.
These therapy animals are not just pets, but are trained to provide therapeutic benefits to individuals with mental health conditions or disabilities.
This role may require you to spend a significant amount of time with the therapy animals, which can lead to strong emotional bonds.
However, it is essential to remember that these animals are working animals and not personal pets.
Balancing this emotional attachment and maintaining professional boundaries can be a challenging aspect of this job.
Moreover, it can also be difficult to explain and enforce these boundaries to others who may view and treat the therapy animals as regular pets.
Ethical Considerations in Animal Treatment and Therapy Practices
Animal Therapy Handlers often face ethical concerns related to the treatment and therapy practices of the animals they work with.
These professionals must ensure that the animals are not overworked or stressed, as this could lead to negative health consequences for the animal.
Some animal species may also be more sensitive to certain environments or types of people, which could potentially lead to unsafe situations if not properly managed.
Animal Therapy Handlers need to be constantly vigilant about the well-being of their animal partners, which can be both physically and emotionally taxing.
Additionally, there may be disagreements or disputes over the right methods and techniques to use in therapy, adding another layer of complexity to the role.
Ensuring Accessibility of Services to Clients With Financial Constraints
Animal Therapy Handlers often face the challenge of ensuring their services are accessible to clients with financial constraints.
This profession often involves using animals such as dogs, horses, and other pets for therapeutic treatments and sessions, which can incur high costs.
These costs include the maintenance, healthcare, and training of the animals, as well as the professional fees of the handler.
It can be a struggle for clients who cannot afford these services, yet would greatly benefit from them.
As a handler, you may need to find ways to subsidize costs, seek donations, or find other creative solutions to make your services more affordable.
This can be a stressful and challenging aspect of the role, as you strive to balance the financial sustainability of your practice with the accessibility of your services.
High Turnover of Therapy Animals Due to Aging or Health Issues
Animal Therapy Handlers often work with animals that are middle-aged or older, as these animals tend to be calmer and better suited to the demands of therapy work.
However, this means that the animals they work with often have a shorter working lifespan and may face health issues related to aging.
The turnover of therapy animals can be high, necessitating frequent training of new animals which can be time-consuming and emotionally draining.
Losing an animal you have formed a close bond with can also be emotionally challenging.
Despite these issues, many handlers find the work rewarding and enjoy the opportunity to work with a variety of different animals.
Securing Funding or Support for Nonprofit Therapy Programs
Animal Therapy Handlers who work for nonprofit therapy programs often face the challenge of securing adequate funding or support.
Since many therapy animal programs are nonprofit, they rely heavily on donations, grants, and volunteer work to keep their programs running.
This means handlers may have to spend significant time on administrative tasks like writing grant proposals, organizing fundraisers, or soliciting donations, which can detract from their time spent with the animals and clients.
Furthermore, during economic downturns, these programs may face cuts, which can make it even more challenging to provide the same level of service.
It also adds an element of uncertainty to the handler’s job security.
Keeping Up With Research and Best Practices in the Field
Animal Therapy Handlers need to constantly keep up with the latest research and best practices in the field.
This can be time-consuming and sometimes overwhelming.
The field of animal therapy is continuously evolving with new techniques and therapies being developed.
Handlers have to stay updated to provide the best care and therapy for their clients.
This often means attending workshops, seminars, and training programs, along with reading scholarly articles and research papers.
This constant learning and professional development can be demanding in addition to the regular duties of the job.
Moreover, keeping up with the latest best practices also requires handlers to continuously train and adapt the therapy animals to these new techniques, which may not always be easy or straightforward.
Seasonal or Environmental Limitations Affecting Animal Therapy Sessions
Animal Therapy Handlers may find themselves limited by the seasons or environment in which they work.
Certain animals may not be suitable or comfortable in different weather conditions, which can limit therapy sessions.
For example, the use of dogs in therapy may be less effective during the hot summer months when they can easily overheat or during the cold winter months when icy conditions pose a risk.
Similarly, therapy sessions involving animals such as horses may not be possible during heavy rainfall or snow.
Also, the environment in which the therapy takes place may limit the types of animals that can be used.
This lack of flexibility can potentially lead to fewer therapy sessions and reduced effectiveness of the therapy program overall.
Building a Reliable Network of Support and Referral Sources
Building a reliable network of support and referral sources can be a significant challenge for an Animal Therapy Handler.
As this role is relatively niche, you may find it difficult to establish a broad base of referral sources such as physicians, mental health professionals, and educators who can refer clients to your services.
This requires substantial networking efforts, attending conferences, and participating in community outreach to increase awareness about animal therapy.
Additionally, you would also need to build a support network of veterinary care, animal trainers, and care supplies for the animals involved in therapy.
This could take a considerable amount of time, effort, and resources which can be demanding and stressful.
Moreover, the dependency on referrals means that your business’s continuity and growth are heavily reliant on the professional relationships you manage to build and maintain.
Overcoming Language and Communication Barriers With Clients
As an Animal Therapy Handler, one of the challenges is the communication barrier that can exist between the handler, the therapy animal, and the client.
While animals can be trained to respond to commands and cues, they cannot communicate verbally.
This can create a unique challenge when working with clients who may have difficulty expressing their needs or emotions.
For instance, a client may be afraid or uncomfortable around the therapy animal, but they may not be able to express this fear or discomfort.
As a handler, you will need to be attuned to non-verbal cues and signs of distress from both the client and the therapy animal.
This requires a great deal of patience and understanding, as well as the ability to interpret and respond to non-verbal communication.
Conclusion
And there we have it.
An unvarnished look at the drawbacks of being an animal therapy handler.
It’s not just about cuddling with cute animals and witnessing their therapeutic effects.
It’s tough. It’s commitment. It’s navigating through a labyrinth of emotional and physical demands.
But it’s also about the gratification of seeing a breakthrough.
The joy of watching a person’s life change for the better because of an animal.
The thrill of knowing you facilitated a healing journey.
Yes, the path is strenuous. But the rewards? They can be truly exceptional.
If you’re nodding along, thinking, “Yes, this is the challenge I’ve been yearning for,” we have something more for you.
Take a look at our insider’s guide on the reasons to become an animal therapy handler.
If you’re ready to embrace both the highs and the lows…
To learn, to grow, and to thrive in this compassionate field…
Then maybe, just maybe, a career in animal therapy is for you.
So, take the leap.
Discover, engage, and excel.
The world of animal therapy awaits.
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