Puppy Love
What better way to start the day than a little one on one time with a sweet-tempered dog? Well, more like one on 40 time - one gorgeous lab and 40 adoring OTs and OTAs.
That was how the second day of TOTA's conference started for me and a roomful of attendees in a session on animal assisted therapy. The dog, Izzy, had been rescued from a shelter less than a year ago by COTA Jodi M. Valls and trained for animal assisted therapy - something that may not be commonplace in many facilities but certainly could be.
Therapy dogs can be used at SNFs, rehab centers, hospitals, schools, halfway houses, group homes, hospices and patients' homes. They can assist any age population from the very young - Izzy had several memorable visits at an autism day camp, helping children with range of motion and tactile issues - to the very old. For many, there is nothing more comforting than an hour or even just five minutes with a dog or other animal.
And therapy dogs aren't the only pets out there helping patients. There are, of course, seeing eye dogs, as well as hearing dogs, seizure dogs, post traumatic dogs and service monkeys. Animals - trained animals - are a resource therapists should certainly consider if looking for new ways to bring treatment to select patients.