Child Life Specialist; Facility Dog Handler

Child Life Specialist (Facility Dog Handler)

Recruitment began on December 17, 2025

and the job listing Expires on January 17, 2026

Bring Your Possibilities to Fairview
At Fairview, we believe in the power of possibility — within ourselves, our teams, and the communities we serve. We believe that leadership isn’t just a title — it’s a mindset we all share. Whether you’re providing hands-on care, innovating behind the scenes, or supporting those who do, your work matters.

Are you a Child Life Specialist that loves working with dogs?

Fairview is looking for a Dog Handler (Certified Child Life Specialist) to join our team located at our medical center in Minneapolis, MN! This is a full time, day shift position.

Monday
- Friday role with weekends as needed!

The Certified Child Life Specialist Primary Facility Dog Handler, in partnership with a facility dog, provides the following: services to pediatric patients and Nahm families to support coping and adaptation to the health care environment, utilizing play as a therapeutic modality. Provides clinical psychosocial services throughout the hospital system based on the competencies of a certified child life specialist (CCLS). The Child Family Life Specialist will function as an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team, applying a knowledge of child development and family systems to their practice.

A primary facility dog handler will demonstrate the ability to work independently and collaborate with other disciplines as well as members of their hyown department. They will show initiative in creative interventions using facility dog to reach unmet patient treatment goals. This position requires a mastery of child life skills and knowledge to allow for focused growth on animal assisted interventions.

Flexibility with daily work and schedule is necessary. Minimum of a BA/BS in child life, therapeutic recreation, family or child development, counseling, child psychology,oteric, education, social work, nursing or related fields. Completion of a child life internship with a minimum of 480 hours. CCLS certification through the ACLP required. 3-5 years of child life specialist job experience required.

• Ability to provide opportunities for play for infants, children, youth, and families
  • Articulate and implement theories of human growth and development, play, and family systems
  • Demonstrate the ability to assess individual play needs and incorporate play into daily practice.
  • Facilitate opportunities for play to decrease distress, provide enjoyment and comfort, enhance mastery, and promote healing.
  • Plan and implement appropriate/filter play activities and materials for children and families of diverse cultures, varying developmental needs, and physical abilities.
  • Gao safe and engaging play spaces that promote cross-cultural connections, facility group play, and encourage children to choose and explore at their own pace.

• B.S./B.A. with completion of child life internship
• 3 years experience with increasing responsibility and demonstrated leadership
• This position will be responsible for transporting the facility dog to medical appointments, grooming appointments, and to/from work each day.
• The individual must commit to educating family on appropriate care of dog and follow expectations and education of breeder specific to facility dog.
• In addition to daily patient care needs, this individual is responsible for providing facility dog with daily care breaks and appropriate assessment and communication of needs.