If you love dogs, then you might be looking into a career change—preferably one that is dog-related. There are many career paths to choose from that involve dogs but among the most popular ones is a therapy dog trainer.

Therapy dogs provide physical and emotional support to people who have cognitive or physical impairments. It takes anywhere from six months to two years to train a service dog and an effective trainer is crucial in the success of the dogs’ training.

How Much Do Therapy Dog Trainers Make?

In the United States, service dog trainers can earn as much as $54,500 per year. Meanwhile, the reported lowest salary for this career is $16,000 annually. Your potential salary as a therapy dog trainer depends on the location at which you are working and your expertise and experience as a trainer. For example, in places like New York, Hawaii, and Washington, salaries range from $35,000 to $37,000 while in North Carolina, the average salary is $27,000.

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How Do You Become a Therapy Dog Trainer?

Convinced that being a therapy dog trainer is the right career path for you? Here’s what to consider to become one:

• The qualifications: There are no qualifications to become a trainer for service dogs. Reputation and word of mouth, however, count for a lot in the small and closed industry of service dog training.
• The required skills and experience: First, trainers must have excellent dog training skills where dogs respond to their command almost 100% of the time. Next, trainers must know about different disabilities and how service dogs should be trained to assist them.
• The education to become a therapy dog trainer: You can get formal education for service dog training at specific organizations for only about $5,000 per semester. Community-based dog training programs are also an option for formal service dog training education.

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Dog-related careers are often the most fulfilling jobs in the world. If you have the passion and experience with dogs, then you can become a therapy dog trainer too. Use our guide above to get started with your newfound dream career.

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