Facility Dog Handler​/Clinical Assistant

Primary Location College Hill Campus Department Child Life & Integrative Care Shift Day (United States of America) Schedule Full time Weekly Hours 40 FTE 1 Employee Status Regular
* Expected Starting Pay Range $18.16 - $22.25
* Starting pay is based on experience, skills, and equity; exceptions may apply for highly qualified candidates. Additional pay (e.g., shift, on‑call, or weekend differentials) and benefits may apply. Annual pay may vary based on FTE status.

Clinical Assistant/Facility Dog Handler for Pediatric Behavioral Health

Location:

College Hill Campus, 5642 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati OH 45224 Status:
Full-Time, 40 hours/week

The Facility Dog Handler is responsible for integrating a professionally trained facility dog into the pediatric behavioral health setting to support patient therapeutic goals and staff wellbeing. This role delivers structured, trauma‑informed interventions while maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare, safety, and clinical alignment. Initially housed within the Child Life Program, the role will transition to Spiritual Care, requiring flexibility in approach while maintaining interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Facilitate goal‑directed patient interactions that support:
  Emotional regulation Anxiety reduction Engagement in care and therapy
• Partner with behavioral health clinicians to integrate the dog into care plans where appropriate
• Apply trauma‑informed practices in all patient interactions
• Staff Support & Wellbeing Conduct structured staff support rounds Provide stress‑reduction interventions and brief restorative interactions Collaborate with leadership on staff wellbeing initiatives
• Program Operations Manage daily scheduling of visits (patient and staff) Triage and prioritize referrals based on need and appropriateness Track encounters and outcomes per program metrics Maintain documentation aligned with hospital standards
• Animal Welfare & Safety Ensure the facility dog’s physical and emotional wellbeing Adhere to all infection prevention, safety, and risk management policies Monitor dog workload (visits/day, rest periods, stress signals) Maintain certification and ongoing training for both handler and dog
• Education & Program Development Educate staff on safe and effective interactions with the facility dog Support program growth, evaluation, and reporting Participate in interdisciplinary committees as needed

• Bachelor’s degree in Divinity, Psychology, Social Work, or related field
• Experience in pediatric behavioral health or trauma‑informed care
• Strong interpersonal and de‑scalation skills
• Experience with animal‑assisted interventions or facility dog programs
• Experience supporting staff wellbeing initiatives

At Cincinnati Children’s, we come to work with one goal: to make children’s health better. We believe in a holistic team approach, both in caring for patients and their families, and in advancing science and discovery. We strive to do better and find energy and inspiration in our shared purpose. If you want to be the best you can be, you can do it at Cincinnati Children’s.

Cincinnati Children's is:
Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as atop 10 best Children’s Hospitals in the nation for more than 15 years Consistently among the top 3 Children’s Hospitals for National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Funding Recognized as one of America’s Best Large Employers (2025), America’s Best Employers for New Grads (2025) One of the nation'sAmerica’s Most Innovative Companies as noted by Fortune Consistently certified as great place to work A Leading Disability Employ eras noted by the National Organization on Disability Magnet® designated for the fourth consecutive time by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

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