University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Institute of Occupational Therapy
Seminar Description
Animal-Assisted Therapy: Improving Treatment Outcomes
Tuition: $545
Hours: 15 or 1.5 CEUs
Prerequisite: None
Who Attends: Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants, and
other healthcare providers.
Seminar Description:
Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), or use of a goal-directed intervention in which an animal that meets specific criteria is an
integral part of the treatment process, is offering promising outcomes in many arenas. Meant to be used in conjunction with
conventional therapies and delivered by health/human service professions within their scope of practice, AAT may be a valuable component designed to promote improvement in human physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive functioning. This
seminar will explore the history, theory and research outcomes related to animal-assisted therapy and in particular the use of
dogs as a therapeutic tool.
Learning Objectives:
• Expose learners to the history and background of use of animals in a therapeutic manner.
• Examine rationale for use of animals to improve treatment outcomes in therapeutic settings.
• Compare and contrast the evidence citing the use of animals in a therapeutic setting.
• Highlight successful implementation of select programs throughout the nation.
• Experience opportunity to interact with and observe animals used for therapeutic benefit.
Learning Outcomes:
At the completion of this seminar the attendee should be able to:
• Discuss history and background of use of animals in a therapeutic manner.
• Analyze rationale for use of animals to improve treatment outcomes.
• Utilize the evidence citing the use of animals in a therapeutic setting for future practice.
• Cite reasons for success of animals (dogs) in a therapeutic setting.
• Discuss the motivational reasons for the therapeutic use of animals.
• Explain how dogs can be used to achieve specific therapeutic goals.
• Demonstrate knowledge in development and implementation of an AAT program relevant to individual practice.
• Review the risk and safety obstacles inherent in use of AAT.
DAY ONE
DAY TWO
8:30 - 10:00
Intro to AAT including history/Initial survey
8:00 - 10:00
Student AAT “project” presentations
Review risk and safety obstacles inherent in use of AAT
10:00 - 10:15 AM BREAK
10:15 - 12:15
AAT Background
Rational for use of AAT
10:00 - 10:15 AM BREAK
10:15 - 12:00
Project BARC
AAT lesson plan sample/demo 12:15 - 1:15 PM LUNCH
12:00 - 1:00 PM LUNCH
1:00 - 3:00
1:15 - 3:00
Discussion-Success and motivational basis for AAT use Highlights/videos
Briefing-animal demo
3:00 - 3:15 PM BREAK
3:00 - 3:15 PM BREAK
3:15 - 5:00
3:15 - 5:30
Wrap up, questions, discussion , case study
AAT evidence review
Presentation of student AAT “project” guidelines
1 University Boulevard • St. Augustine, FL 32086-5799 • Registration: 800-241-1027 • Tel.: 904-826-0084 • Fax: 904-826-0085
Website: www.usa.edu • E-Mail: info@usa.edu
Over
3/13
Lori Redner, Instructor
BS
MOT
OTD
Western Michigan University
University of Indianapolis
University of St. Augustine
Lori is a practicing clinician with 29 years of experience. She received her bachelor degree from Western Michigan University
and her master’s degree from the University of Indianapolis. In December, 2010, she completed her doctorate from the
University of St. Augustine. Lori has worked with various populations in the areas of mental health, acute care, the school system,
and home health. She is an author with articles published in several peer-reviewed journals and has co-authored a book on the use
of sensory integration with adults diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness. Lori is a certified non-violent crisis
intervention instructor and in addition to clinical practice enjoys opportunities in staff training. She is co-developer of Project BARC
(Building Adolescent Responsibility and Compassion), a nationally recognized AAT program currently being implemented at the
Kent County Juvenile Detention Center in Grand Rapids, MI, in collaboration with the Humane Society of West Michigan.
Anne Schefke, Instructor
BS Wayne State University
MA Michigan State University
OTD University of St. Augustine
Anne’s occupational therapy career spans the past 35 years. After completing her undergraduate degree from Wayne State
University’s Occupational Therapy Program, she went on to pursue a Master of Arts degree in Family Studies from Michigan State
University. A specialty certificate in Holistic Health from Western Michigan University followed along with training as an OrtonGillingham reading tutor, also through WMU. Certification as a driver training instructor from Central Michigan University
provided the next endeavor as a foundation for a long-standing curiosity of adaptive driving. An interest in animal-assisted therapy
(AAT) spurred a spe- cialty certificate in AAT. Anne earned a doctorate of occupational therapy degree from the University of St.
Augustine in December, 2010. She is a co-developer of Project BARC (Building Adolescent Responsibility and Compassion), an AAT
program developed as a collaborative project with the Kent County Juvenile Detention Center and the Humane Society of West
Michigan.
Deb Schuitema, Instructor
BS
MOT
OTD
Western Michigan University
University of Indianapolis
University of St. Augustine
Deb is a practicing clinician with 25 years of experience. She currently works with students with a variety of needs in the public
schools, specializing in those with sensory processing disorders and assistive technology needs. Deb is also currently providing
community based OT for individuals and families through Community Mental Health. Prior to working in the public schools, Deb
worked as an occupational therapist in mental health, acute care, home health care and extended care facilities. While practicing as a
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, she received her bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University, and then went on to
receive her master’s degree from the University of Indianapolis. Deb earned a doctorate of occupational therapy from the University of
St. Augustine in December, 2010. She is a co-developer of Project BARC (Building Adolescent Responsibility and Compassion), an
AAT program developed as a collaborative project with the Kent County Juvenile Detention Center and the Humane Society of West
Michigan.
1 University Boulevard • St. Augustine, FL 32086-5799 • Registration: 800-241-1027 • Tel.: 904-826-0084 • Fax: 904-826-0085
Website: www.usa.edu • E-Mail: info@usa.edu