Assisted Animal Therapist

**About us**

“Helping to support children and adults in their emotional and mental health journey through partnership with therapy dogs and other animals. We believe that every man, woman, and child has been born for such a time as this. Their own unique contribution is needed right now and as such, there is always hope”

Hope's Therapy Dogs is a small business. We are based in the Liverpool region is and are a family business set up in memory of our daughter, Hope. Hope’s dying wish was that her Mum (Alison) would train her dog (Pippa) to become a therapy dog and help other children.

Currently we have 4 dogs and work in 14 schools, providing emotional support to 70-90 children in any given week. We are fully committed to providing an excellent service which always delivers healing therapy to children whilst at the same time promotes happy dogs.

We understand that the best dogs for schools are not necessarily lap dogs and do well if they enjoy some action, providing they enjoy working with children. We are working to teach schools how to work with dogs ethically.

We are also committed to expansion and becoming the largest and best dog therapy service in the Northwest. We believe dedication and a commitment to learning from each other always pays off and we are determined to be a company that invests in our staff’s growth and mental health whilst they invest in the children in our care..

Due to expansion and increasing demand for our services, an exciting position has become available for an Assisted Animal Play Therapist. The successful therapist will work in school term time with their own therapy dog. If you have therapeutic experience of working with children a strong understanding of dog behaviour and a dog(s) suitable for the role, then this is the perfect role for you to widen your experience of assisted animal play therapy.

Initially the post will be a contract for 12 -hours term time only with further hours becoming available as we expand and have further dogs/ animals on the team.

Our culture is one of kindness, compassion, generosity, lifting up the weak and marginalised, no gossip, charitable giving, putting others before ourselves, our employees are inherently valuable not only in our employ but as individuals with their own part to play.

**We are looking for: -**

1) A qualified play therapist or registered children’s counsellor (must be level 5 or above and registered with a professional counselling body) who owns their own suitable dog (will be temperament tested).

3) An understanding of dog behaviour and an ability to react and alter practice to cater for the dog’s needs.

4) Willingness to drive between schools and clean license.

**Responsibilities**

1) Managing their own workload.

2) Working 1 to 1 with children therapeutically.

3) Liaising with all staff responsible for the children’s welfare.

4) Always Managing the dog’s welfare, stopping sessions if necessary for the dog’s wellbeing.

5) Reporting to and liaising with Owner/director Alison Colley.

6) Always upholding company ethics and standards.

7) Fully understanding and operating within safeguarding standards and reporting any concerns to DSL onsite and Alison Colley.

8) Keeping up to date with changes in legislation regarding both therapy and handling dogs in schools.

9) Where necessary speaking to parents and assisting schools with the same.

**Job Types**: Part-time, Fixed term contract

**Salary**: £15.00-£20.00 per hour

Application question(s):

- Do you own a suitable therapy dog and understand dog behaviour?

**Education**:

- Diploma of Higher Education (required)

**Experience**:

- Child Therapy: 1 year (required)

**Language**:

- English (required)

Licence/Certification:

- Professional membership of Counselling body (required)

Shift availability:

- Day shift (required)

Work Location: On the road