Want to make a real difference? How to get into animal assisted therapy jobs in the UK

If you love animals and want a job that makes a real difference to people, animal assisted therapy jobs can sound like the perfect fit. And for the right person, they can be. But this is a field where job titles get used loosely, so it's worth understanding how it really works before you start.

In this guide, we explain how to get into animal assisted therapy, the different roles available in the UK, which ones are usually paid, and how to become a therapy dog handler. We'll also be honest about what training can and can't do for you.

How the field works

The first thing to know is that animal assisted therapy jobs fall into two broad groups.

Animal assisted therapy (AAT) itself is goal-directed work that forms part of a person's care plan. According to the Royal College of Nursing's 2025 guidance, Working with Dogs in Health Care Settings, it's delivered alongside health professionals and documented and evaluated. In practice, that means a qualified professional leads it.

Animal assisted activity is the more common, informal side of the work. The RCN describes it as a volunteer handler bringing their own dog for relaxed visits. Both sit under the wider umbrella of animal assisted intervention, or AAI.

Knowing this helps you choose the right route, because the qualifications you need depend on which side you want to work on.

Types of animal assisted therapy jobs and pet therapy jobs

Here are the main kinds of roles you'll come across in the UK.

Health and care professionals who work with animals. Occupational therapists, physiotherapists and some psychologists and counsellors include animals in their sessions. Titles such as occupational therapist and physiotherapist are protected by law and need registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. These professionals lead AAT sessions, and it's usually something they add to an existing career.

AAI practitioners. These are people who plan and deliver sessions with their animals in places like schools, care homes and community settings. Some work for charities or social enterprises, some are self-employed and some work in partnership with health professionals who lead the therapy side.

Volunteer handlers. A lot of pet therapy jobs are actually volunteer roles. You visit hospitals, care homes or schools with your own assessed dog. This is often the first step into the field.

Care farm roles. Care farming is the therapeutic use of farming practices, including animal husbandry, for people with health, social or educational needs. Natural England says it's most effective within a structured, individual care plan, so it suits people who are confident working with both animals and people.

Do pet therapy jobs pay?

It's a fair question, and the answer depends on the role.

There's no official UK salary data for animal assisted therapy jobs as a separate occupation. Health and care professionals are paid in line with their main profession, and animal work doesn't usually change that. Many pet therapy jobs that involve visiting with your own dog are voluntary. Pets As Therapy, for example, runs its visits through volunteers, and notes that some places they visit may cover expenses.

Paid work is more likely if you run your own AAI service, work for an organisation that delivers sessions, or combine animal work with another paid role, such as a teaching assistant, care worker or animal care professional. If pay matters to you, it's worth planning to build several income streams rather than relying on one.

How to become a therapy dog handler

If you'd like to start with your own dog, here's how to become a therapy dog handler with a UK visiting charity. We'll use Pets As Therapy's published requirements as an example.
 

1. Check your dog is ready. Your dog must be at least 12 months old, and you must have known them for at least nine months.
2. Apply. You'll fill in an application and provide two character references and a copy of your dog's vaccination certificate.
3. Pass a temperament assessment. A local assessor checks that your dog is friendly, calm and happy to be stroked and handled. The assessment takes about 45 minutes and happens somewhere neutral, not at your home.
4. Start visiting. Once you're approved, you'll be matched with places that want visits.

Being a therapy dog handler is about more than having a lovely dog. You need to read your dog's body language, know when to end a visit, and follow health and safety rules. The RCN guidance says active sessions in health settings shouldn't last more than an hour, with no more than three active hours a day. Our guide to therapy dog training covers how to prepare your dog.

How to get into animal assisted therapy: a step-by-step plan

If you want to build a career rather than volunteer, here's a practical route.
 

1. Decide which side you want to work on. If you want to lead therapy sessions, you'll need to qualify in a health or care profession first. If you want to plan and deliver sessions with animals, a recognised AAI qualification is a good starting point.
2. Build hands-on experience. Spend time with animals in different settings. Volunteering as a handler is a great way to learn.
3. Get qualified. Look for an Ofqual regulated qualification that covers the law, animal welfare and how to run sessions safely.
4. Make connections. Get to know care homes, schools, charities and health professionals who might want to work with you.
5. Put the right protections in place. If you're working for yourself, think about insurance, risk assessments and infection control. The RCN guidance is a useful benchmark for health settings.

Are there animal assisted therapy courses?

You'll find lots of courses advertised as animal assisted therapy courses. Before you sign up, it's worth knowing that AAT is led by qualified health or care professionals. So no animal assisted therapy courses on their own will make you a therapist.

What a good course can do is give you the knowledge to plan and deliver animal assisted sessions safely, and to work responsibly with professionals and animals. That's exactly what our course is designed for.

The Level 3 Diploma in Animal Assisted Intervention is an Ofqual regulated qualification, studied online and at your own pace, with tutor support. It covers:
 

• the theory and history of animal assisted interventions
• your legal duties
• the health and wellbeing benefits
• roles and responsibilities
• pairing clients with the right animal
• conducting canine sessions, including a two-day practical with a dog that you arrange yourself

We want to be clear that this is a qualification in animal assisted intervention, not AAT. It's ideal if you want to work or volunteer in this field, and it can sit alongside a health or care career if you have one. After finishing, you could also carry on studying animal or canine care.

As a learner, you'll also get access to the learndirect: Community Hub app, a space just for learners and alumni of the learndirect Digital Group. It's a great place to ask questions, share ideas and connect with people working towards similar goals.

Ready to take the next step?

Visit the Level 3 Diploma in Animal Assisted Intervention course page for full details, including fees and payment options. Or talk to our course advisors on 01202 006 040, or send us an enquiry. They'll help you work out whether it's the right fit for your plans.