therapist Liverpool, England
Job description
Hopes Therapy Dogs – new positions available.
Due to expansion and increasing demand for our services, an exciting position has become available for an Assisted Animal Play Therapist to work in school term time with their own therapy dog.
We are looking for: -
1) A qualified therapist, teacher, or registered children’s counsellor (must be level 5 or above and registered with a professional counselling body)
2) You should own a suitable therapy dog. If you are unsure whether your dog is suitable, please enquire, we will assess and support anyone who we believe is suitable for the role.
3) You will need an understanding of dog behaviour and the ability to react and alter practice to cater for the dog’s needs
4) Willingness to drive between schools, a clean driving license and your own car.
Main Responsibilities
1) Working 1 to 1 with children therapeutically with dogs, in a range of locations in and around the Liverpool / Wigan areas
2) Liaising with all staff responsible for the children’s welfare – this could include speaking to parents, school teams and others
3) Prioritising and managing the dog’s welfare and understanding what to do to ensure the dog’s wellbeing.
4) Keep up to date with changes in legislation regarding both therapy and handling dogs in schools.
5) This role requires advanced DBS clearance. You will need to understand and operate within safeguarding standards, reporting any concerns to DSL onsite and Alison Colley.
The person we’re looking for –
We would expect you to be diligent, hardworking, and professional at all times, and of course always upholding Hope’s ethics and standards.
You’ll have lots of freedom and flexibility to manage own workload – so you need to be able to organise your diary.
As this role is predominantly term time, it is suitable for parents or anyone who requires time off during school holidays.
Other information
You’ll be reporting to and liaising with Owner/Director Alison Colley.
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.
Hope’s Therapy Dogs – a bit about us
Hope's Therapy Dogs is a family business based in the Liverpool region 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. Due to increased demand, we are now expanding and aim to become the largest and best dog therapy service in the Northwest.
At Hopes, our dogs always come first. We understand that the best dogs for schools are not necessarily lap dogs – the ones that do well and are most suitable enjoy being active and of course love being with children. We work closely with schools to teach them how to work with dogs ethically.
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 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.
If you choose to join us, your contribution will be valued, and you will be supported in your own journey as an animal assisted therapist. We provide membership of AAAIP, an international cutting-edge organisation so we have access to the most current research and education in the field.
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.
To apply please send your CV and a covering letter explaining why you’d like the role to [email protected]
For further information or an informal chat regarding the position, please email Ali to arrange a time.
“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!”
Job Type: Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months
Salary: From £20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Free parking
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Liverpool: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- Do you own a dog suitable for therapy?
Education:
- Diploma of Higher Education (required)
Experience:
- Children's therapy: 1 year (required)
Language:
- English (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Counselling body membership? (preferred)
Work Location: In person
Expected start date: 04/09/2023
