Pet therapy 🐾
Explore animal-assisted therapy volunteer opportunities and work exchangesA work exchange is an arrangement in which a traveller contributes an agreed amount of help to a host in return for benefits such as accommodation, meals or learning opportunities. Conditions vary by host. connected to projects where animals play a structured role in human care, support, education or therapeutic activities.
Opportunities may involve caring for therapy animals, maintaining their living areas, supporting the facilities where programmes take place or assisting qualified practitioners with appropriate non-clinical tasks. The volunteer role should always be clearly distinguished from professional therapeutic responsibilities.
What is pet therapy? 🐾
Pet therapy is a commonly used term for programmes in which appropriately selected animals take part in therapeutic, educational or supportive activities with people. Professional organisations increasingly use terms such as animal-assisted therapy or animal-assisted services, depending on the type and purpose of the intervention. Simply caring for animals or volunteering at a shelter does not in itself constitute pet therapy.
Volunteering with animal-assisted programmes
Volunteer activities can include feeding and grooming animals, cleaning stables or animal areas, preparing equipment, maintaining facilities, administrative support or other practical tasks that help a programme operate. Some projects may also allow volunteers to observe or appropriately assist during animal-assisted activities under supervision.
Animal-assisted therapy itself should be delivered or directed by people with suitable professional qualifications. Volunteers should not be expected to provide healthcare, psychotherapy, occupational therapy or other professional treatment unless they hold the required qualifications and are legally permitted to do so.
The welfare of the animals involved is equally important. Ask how animals are selected and trained, how much rest they receive, how stress is monitored and who is responsible for their health and daily care.
How to use this page
Check the publication date and confirm the volunteer activities, supervision, required experience, weekly hours, days off, accommodation, meals, minimum stay and any fees or other costs directly with the host. If the opportunity involves healthcare, vulnerable people or formal therapeutic activities, also clarify safeguarding procedures, professional boundaries, insurance and any qualifications or legal requirements.
Publication on Voluntouring.org does not constitute verification or endorsement of therapeutic claims, professional qualifications, animal welfare standards or health outcomes.
Related opportunities: Animal care · Animal welfare · Horses · Healthcare
Last reviewed: October 2026.
Browse animal-assisted therapy volunteer opportunities 🐾
Browse the projects below for volunteering and work exchanges connected to animal-assisted therapy or related structured programmes. Confirm what volunteers actually do, as caring for therapy animals does not necessarily mean participating directly in therapeutic sessions.
Do you coordinate an animal-assisted programme where volunteers can provide appropriate practical support? You can submit your opportunity to Voluntouring.org for editorial review.
