OTD Capstone Projects

Abstract

Inpatient rehabilitation at Stallworth has shown a need for a comprehensive overview of pet care as an IADL along with resources to assist in guiding patients in determining the appropriate steps to ensure their pet is well taken care of. This need was found through surveying the therapy team as well as shadowing therapists and connecting with patients. This project was centered around creating tools such as an IADL kit with instructions for therapists to use with patients, a resource bank containing adaptation recommendations and pet care service apps, a resource explaining how to certify animal as service animal, emotional support animal, or therapy animal, an infection control protocol for therapy animals at Stallworth, and finally an idea bank for activities to do when therapy dogs are present at Stallworth. These tools were completed and presented in an inservice to the therapy team at Stallworth to gain feedback and make necessary changes. In order to ensure the continuation of this capstone project, an OT was designated at Stallworth to initiate the return of therapy dogs at Stallworth and advocate for pet care being addressed with patients before discharge.

Publication Date

Spring 3-31-2022

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Carlene Johnson OTD, OTR/L

Department

Occupational Therapy, School of

College

Health Sciences & Nursing, Gordon E. Inman College of

Document Type

Poster

Degree

Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Degree Level

Doctoral

Degree Grantor

Belmont University

Keywords

Therapy dogs, Inpatient, IADLs, TBI, SCI, Cognition, motor, motivation

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