The scope of occupational therapy in assessment and referral for assistance dogs:

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If a client has trialled all indicated evidencebased therapy, assistive technology and equipment and assistance dog placement is indicated, therapists must identify what ongoing support a client will require. Ongoing training will be required for the handler and assistance dog to maintain the assistance dog’s skills, and ensure they continue to work successfully as a team. The assistance dog and handler will be required to complete an annual reassessment to maintain their public access rights (Queensland Government, 2009). Clients may also require support from the occupational therapist regarding the occupational role of pet care (Hill et al., 2023).

The process of completing an assessment and making a referral for an assistance dog is complex and requires sound clinical reasoning. Further support required to ensure occupational therapists are practicing safely and ethically includes, 1) foundational education specific to assistance dogs included in university occupational therapy programs, and 2) development of additional training and mentoring opportunities for therapists on how to assess, make appropriate recommendations, and support their client when making an application for an assistance dog.

OTA will be hosting a Hot Topic session on animal assisted therapy on Thursday 20 July. Scan the QR code below to visit the Hot Topic landing page for more information.

Dr Jess Hill is a Lecturer in Occupational Therapy at The University of Queensland and has eight years of experience working as an animal-assisted therapist with children and adolescents. Jess completed her PhD at The University of Queensland, exploring the efficacy of canine-assisted OT with autistic children. Jess has continued her research in the field of human-animal interaction including animal-assisted therapy, assistance animals and companion animals publishing in numerous peer reviewed journals, as well as contributing to several book chapters.

Claire Dickson is an occupational therapist at Assistance Dogs Australia in Waterfall, NSW with six years of experience in animal-assisted therapy. Claire has experience training assistance dogs and therapy dogs. Claire has co-authored research published in peer reviewed journals including a pilot research project with the University of Sydney exploring the benefits of OT with a trained dog involved for autistic children and youth. The same research team also completed a scoping review of the impact of assistance dogs on participation outcomes for people with disability.

Nat O’Neill is an occupational therapist at Kites Therapy in Western Australia. She provides animal assisted therapy services for children, as well as being the team leader for the Autism Assistance Dog program. Nat loves working in this field and enjoys volunteering with Story Dogs.