Animal Assisted Therapy Benefits a Wide Range of Patients Receiving Occupational Therapy
Animal assisted therapy is a highlight for OTs working in occupational therapy jobs where specially trained canines interact with patients. These furry friends facilitate more independent functioning and development of skills following a patient’s bout with an injury, surgery or illness. The method is showing favorable results in different cities across America; notably in Austin where an animal assisted therapy organization sends a group of dogs to visit with wounded war veterans.
In settings ranging from hospitals, schools and nursing homes animal assisted therapy seems to enhance recovery from illness, change behavior for the better and improve the patient’s experience with the rehab team. Animal assisted therapy has been used on patients with decreased immune function, Alzheimer’s, recovery from breast cancer, lung transplants, hypertension, heart disease and more. Interested occupational therapists can look to organizations like the Delta Society to learn more about the health benefits that come with animal companionship.
Man’s Best Friend Helps Occupational Therapists Who Work with Children
Some occupational therapists use dogs as a modality to help children achieve independent functioning in the areas of self-help, play and learning. Because these animals promote a sense of fun, and create a more relaxed environment, children are likely to interact with the animal, and improve in everyday activities like dressing, grooming and feeding—fun tasks the patient may practice with the therapy dog under supervision of an OT. The kinds of young patients said to benefit most from animal assisted therapy are those with special needs, like autism and sensory processing disorder.
In addition to dogs, animal assisted therapy is making headway using horses as well. Occupational therapists with an interest in all things equestrian will be happy to note that The Horses and Humans Research Foundation has awarded generous research grants to OT programs in occupational therapy schools that use horse movement (Hippotherapy) in studies that benefit children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
American Traveler Allied Stays On Top of The Latest Trends, Featuring OT Jobs in Top Hospitals
Occupational therapists who work with us have their pick of top paying jobs in all 50 U.S. states, the majority of them with enacted autism insurance reform; this law not only enables patients with autism to seek more progressive therapies, but provides affordability and increased access to all medical providers. In addition to great therapy career resources offered by a top staffing agency, OTs can also rely on literature like ADVANCE for Occupational Therapy Practitioners to educate them on alternative trends in allied healthcare; the biweekly magazine has lots to say about dolphin assisted therapy helping facilitate communication, socialization, fine and gross motor skills among patients with autism.
Stay abreast of all groundbreaking news in allied healthcare and work in high paying occupational therapy jobs in America’s best hospitals. Call 1-800-617-0608—or apply online. Come join your peers in therapy jobs that broaden the smiles of mankind and pets alike.
