Work where every moment matters Every day more than Hartford HealthCare employees come to work with one thing in common Pride in what we do knowing every moment matters here We invite you to become part of Connecticutrsquos most comprehensive healthcare network Hartford Hospital is one of the largest and most respected teaching hospitals New England We are a Level Trauma Center that provides cutting edge treatment to its patients This is made possible by being home to the largest robotic surgery center in the Northeast and the Center for Education Simulation and Innovation CESI one of the most advanced medical simulation training centers in the world When hospitals cannot provide the advanced care expertise and new treatment options their patients require they turn to us Job Summary The Pet Therapy Program Manager provides leadership in integrating pet therapy into patient family and staff support at Hartford Hospital This role oversees all aspects of the program including volunteer management program development and quality improvement The manager advocates for the therapeutic impact of the humanndashanimal bond and ensures the program operates safely effectively and in alignment with hospital standardsKey ResponsibilitiesbullManage daily program operations including volunteer recruitment onboarding training scheduling and mentoringbullMaintain accurate volunteer and animal records in compliance with hospital policies and regulatory standardsbullAssess and monitor animal behavior to ensure ongoing safety and suitabilitybullDevelop marketing and outreach strategies to engage staff patients and community partnersbullBuild and strengthen relationships with national pet therapy organizations eg Pet Partners Alliance of Therapy Dogs Intermountain Therapy AnimalsbullPartner with hospital departments to expand programming across sites including the Cancer Centers Institute of Living Grace S Webb School and extended care facilitiesbullSupport patient family and staff requests for visits coordinate regular schedules and special requestsbullDesign and implement volunteer recognition and retention initiativesbullOversee pet therapy simulations and Hartford Hospitalrsquos internal pet therapy registration processbullCollect and report program outcomes using data and feedback to guide continuous improvement bullContribute to research and professional activities that advance animal assisted interventions This is a year grant funded positionWork where every moment matters Every day more than Hartford HealthCare employees come to work with one thing in common Pride in what we do knowing every moment matters here We invite you to become part of Connecticutrsquos most comprehensive healthcare network Hartford Hospital is one of the largest and most respected teaching hospitals New England We are a Level Trauma Center that provides cutting edge treatment to its patients This is made possible by being home to the largest robotic surgery center in the Northeast and the Center for Education Simulation and Innovation CESI one of the most advanced medical simulation training centers in the world When hospitals cannot provide the advanced care expertise and new treatment options their patients require they turn to us Job Summary The Pet Therapy Program Manager provides leadership in integrating pet therapy into patient family and staff support at Hartford Hospital This role oversees all aspects of the program including volunteer management program development and quality improvement The manager advocates for the therapeutic impact of the humanndashanimal bond and ensures the program operates safely effectively and in alignment with hospital standardsKey ResponsibilitiesbullManage daily program operations including volunteer recruitment onboarding training scheduling and mentoringbullMaintain accurate volunteer and animal records in compliance with hospital policies and regulatory standardsbullAssess and monitor animal behavior to ensure ongoing safety and suitabilitybullDevelop marketing and outreach strategies to engage staff patients and community partnersbullBuild and strengthen relationships with national pet therapy organizations eg Pet Partners Alliance of Therapy Dogs Intermountain Therapy AnimalsbullPartner with hospital departments to expand programming across sites including the Cancer Centers Institute of Living Grace S Webb School and extended care facilitiesbullSupport patient family and staff requests for visits coordinate regular schedules and special requestsbullDesign and implement volunteer recognition and retention initiativesbullOversee pet therapy simulations and Hartford Hospitalrsquos internal pet therapy registration processbullCollect and report program outcomes using data and feedback to guide continuous improvement bullContribute to research and professional activities that advance animal assisted interventions This is a year grant funded positionAssociatersquos degree in psychology animal behavior health or related field requiredBachelorrsquos degree in psychology animal behavior health or related field preferredExperience SkillsMinimum yearsrsquo experience in volunteer management or related human relations roleStrong animal handling and behavior assessment skills requiredExperience with therapy dog programs and animal assisted interventions preferredBackground as a pet therapy volunteer preferredExperience in healthcare settings preferredProfessional certifications preferred Professional Dog Trainer experience such as Karen Pryor academy certification CATCH trainer or Certified Behavior Consultant Canine CBCCPet Therapy Certifier experience Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist C AAIS or equivalent We take great care of careers With locations around the state Hartford HealthCare offers exciting opportunities for career development and growth Here you are part of an organization on the cutting edge ndash helping to bring new technologies breakthrough treatments and community education to countless men women and children We know that a thriving organization starts with thriving employees we provide a competitive benefits program designed to ensure worklife balance Every moment matters And this is your moment As an Equal Opportunity EmployerAffirmative Action employer the organization will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicantrsquos race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin and veteran or disability status Associatersquos degree in psychology animal behavior health or related field requiredBachelorrsquos degree in psychology animal behavior health or related field preferredExperience SkillsMinimum yearsrsquo experience in volunteer management or related human relations roleStrong animal handling and behavior assessment skills requiredExperience with therapy dog programs and animal assisted interventions preferredBackground as a pet therapy volunteer preferredExperience in healthcare settings preferredProfessional certifications preferred Professional Dog Trainer experience such as Karen Pryor academy certification CATCH trainer or Certified Behavior Consultant Canine CBCCPet Therapy Certifier experience Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist C AAIS or equivalent We take great care of careers With locations around the state Hartford HealthCare offers exciting opportunities for career development and growth Here you are part of an organization on the cutting edge ndash helping to bring new technologies breakthrough treatments and community education to countless men women and children We know that a thriving organization starts with thriving employees we provide a competitive benefits program designed to ensure worklife balance Every moment matters And this is your moment As an Equal Opportunity EmployerAffirmative Action employer the organization will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicantrsquos race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin and veteran or disability status