Management of Animal-Assisted Therapy
- 23 October 2026
- 60 – 90%
- Permanent position
- German (Fluent)
About the job
The Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich (PUK) is one of the leading psychiatric clinics in Switzerland. With over 2,500 employees, we are committed daily to the holistic treatment and care of people with mental illnesses. As a university hospital, we combine clinical expertise with research and teaching – in a working environment characterised by interdisciplinary collaboration, trust, and personal responsibility.
For our innovative and nature-based offering "Sandgrueb Animal- and Nature-Assisted Therapy" in child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy at the Egg location, we are looking for a committed and organisationally strong person to start immediately or by arrangement
Management of Animal-Assisted Therapy
60-90%
Your Tasks
- Professional and personnel management of the dedicated team "Sandgrueb Animal- and Nature-Assisted Therapy"
- Coordination of on-site offerings, such as scheduling therapeutic deployments of horses, donkeys, and dogs in close exchange with the veterinary management
- Continuous daily availability on site as the central, coordinating specialist for all involved parties
- Active participation in daily operational tasks on site, including animal-assisted interventions, experiential education, as well as conducting individual and group sessions
- Organisation of patient transfers to the centre managements of child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy
Your Profile
- Completed degree or higher professional training in the field of curative/special education, social work, psychology, medicine, nursing, or a comparable qualification in health or education with a focus on children and adolescents
- Proven experience in a leadership position with solid personnel management, ideally in the field of child and adolescent psychiatry
- In-depth knowledge of pedagogy as well as solid and proven experience in dealing with animals (especially advanced horse competence required)
- Further training or experience in the field of animal-assisted therapy is expressly desired
- Strong skills in interdisciplinary collaboration as well as basic understanding of business processes (budgeting, controlling)
- Communicative, empathetic, and resilient personality with high mediation competence at the interface between clinical requirements and practical nature and therapy operations
Our Offer
- Shape innovation: Participation in pioneering research and development projects
- Together for people: Interdisciplinary collaboration for holistic psychiatric care
- Strong in the team: Appreciative cooperation and mutual support
- Future provision with added value: 60% employer contribution to the pension fund
- Sustainably on the move: Participation in the ZVV BonusPass or general subscription
Contact:
Veronika Mailänder Zelger
Chief Physician
+41 58 384 70 00
is happy to assist you with any questions.
We look forward to receiving your application!
