Animal Therapy Specialist

Woods Services•Middletown Township, PA

6d•$17•Onsite

About The Position

We want you to join our team! We need deeply compassionate, committed, and highly talented staff. The Woods organization is guided by their mission to support children and adults with disabilities or challenges to achieve their highest potential and independence through innovative and individualized approaches that promote learning and personal fulfillment. Job Summary Leads the animal therapy programs as assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or G.E.D. required.
Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
A minimum of 5 years experience and extensive knowledge of horses required.
Knowledge of maintaining and grooming horse corral and horses required.
Knowledge and recognition of immediate health concerns, exhaustion, and change in temperament of horses required.
Must be agile, physically pursue clients on foot, physically restrain, bend, squat, stretch, reach, push up and stand for several hours at a time.
Must be able to read, write, enter dates and follow verbal/written directions, prepare written reports and complete written forms in English.
Must be able to verbally communicate in English and direct clients, respond to client needs.
Must be 18 years of age and must be able to verbally communicate emergency information in English over the phone.

Nice To Haves

Completion of some college courses in Human services or one year experience with developmentally disabled people preferred.

Responsibilities

Plans and implements all animal related activities and animal therapy sessions.
Provides animal related lessons and activities to day programs and residential programs.
Builds and maintains relationships with various therapeutic organizations.
Develops new relationships and collaborations to expand the summer equestrian program.
Coordinates the Summer Equestrian Program including securing appropriate horses, staffing, and all scheduling with day programs and residential.
Educates staff and residents about all safety protocols while riding/interacting with horses, therapy dogs, etc.
Provides a variety of animal care classes for residents.
Apply for grant monies to ensure the growth of a year round equestrian program.
Responsible for the safety of clients and staff while participating in equestrian and animal related activities.
Horse maintenance (i.e. feeding, brushing, cleaning, etc.)
Maintains horse corral.
Maintains tack and equipment.
Responsible for keeping horse corral secured at all times.
Performs all other duties assigned.