OTD Capstone Projects
Abstract
This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital. The project aimed to collect patient feedback and preliminary qualitative data on the implementation of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) interventions within an inpatient rehabilitation setting. Project activities included a comprehensive literature review, examination of current AAT practices, collaboration with therapy dog teams regarding their work and certification processes, implementation of AAT-based occupational therapy interventions, and administration of patient surveys following sessions. Outcomes of the project included the development of a practical guidebook to support the implementation of animal-assisted therapy in clinical settings, as well as the collection of patient-reported experiences to inform future practice and research.
Publication Date
Spring 4-21-2026
Faculty Mentor
Alexandria Scherr
Department
Occupational Therapy, School of
Document Type
Poster
Degree
Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Degree Level
Doctoral
Degree Grantor
Belmont University
Keywords
occupational therapy; animal assisted therapy; rehabilitation; inpatient rehabilitation; qualitative research; therapy dog
Recommended Citation
Rosenberger, Anna, "Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Inpatient Rehabilitation: A Reflective Study and Outline for Practice" (2026). OTD Capstone Projects. 281.
https://repository.belmont.edu/otdcapstoneprojects/281
