Date of Award
2025
Document Type
Scholarly Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Department
Occupational Therapy
First Advisor
Andrea Young
Abstract
Introduction: The field of animal assisted therapy (AAT) is growing as the evidence on the effectiveness of incorporating animals into the rehabilitation process evolves; however, there is currently a lack of guidance for occupational therapy (OT) practitioners working with facility dogs in an adult mental health population. In a setting where clients have traumatic brain injuries (TBI), substance use disorders (SUD), and serious mental illness (SMI), it is important to combine best practice for both OT and AAT approaches. The objective of this project was to understand current resources available, conceptualize appropriate interventions, and provide a guide for practitioners using facility dogs in practice.
Methodology: A literature review of the current evidence, terminology, best practice, and related studies into the effectiveness of AAT. Gaps in research related to facility dogs in occupational therapy were also identified. Throughout the doctoral experiential capstone, interviews were conducted with various stakeholders. Observation, participation, co-facilitation of groups, interaction with clients, and practice in handling the facility dog were all important aspects in developing the project. Lectures and podcasts were utilized as relevant sources to gain a broader understanding of adult mental health occupational therapy treatment and AAT. Finally, a product was drafted, tested, and revised, using the Ecology of Human Performance (EHP; Dunn, 2017) as the occupation-based model, and the site mentor provided feedback to ensure relevance and carryover.
Results: The project resulted in development of a guide to incorporating a facility dog into OT practice at an adult mental health setting. The high level of training for the specific facility dog at this site allowed for a wide variety of interventions to be developed addressing the psychosocial, cognitive, and sensorimotor aspects of each client (Dunn, 2017). Additional materials include a screening form for AAT, a categorized facility dog cue list, documentation examples, a treatment planning chart, and outcome measures. Conclusions and Significance In the growing field of AAT, there is still much confusion around terminology and best practice related to facility dogs in OT. This guide fills the gap and provides direction for OT practitioners to provide evidence-based interventions while utilizing facility dogs in practice.
Recommended Citation
Harris, Anneka, "Incorporating a Facility Dog into Practice: A Guide for Occupational Therapists in Mental Health Settings" (2025). Occupational Therapy Capstones. 676.
https://commons.und.edu/ot-grad/676