Ashley Font Activities Portfolio #10

Facilitation Technique Category: Therapeutic Use of Animals

Activity Title: Fetch
Source: Dattilo, J., & McKenney, A. (2016). Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation
(3rd ed.). Venture Publishing.
Equipment: Dog, Ball for fetch, Dog treats
Activity Description: Animal-assisted therapy is a form of therapeutic use of animals that
includes interaction with an animal to meet specific goals. Animal-assisted therapy purposefully
addresses participants needs. The purpose of this activity is to interact with a dog while playing
fetch and working on needed goals. This activity can help with motor skills, stress management,
coordination, range of motion, sense of touch, leadership and much more. First, have the
participant be acquainted with the dog by petting them prior to playing fetch. Instruct the
participant to play fetch with the dog for 10-15 minutes. The participant is to throw in various
ways, for example an underhand toss, overhand toss, bounce, or throwing the ball straight up into
the air. Explain to the participant that the dog must bring back the ball every time, after every 5 th
time, feed the dog a treat. Finish the session by reviewing the different types of throws used, how
he/she felt while interacting with the dog and playing fetch and discussing the benefits and
difficulties that were experienced throughout the activity.
Leadership Considerations: CTRS functions as the instructor for this activity. It is
recommended that the therapist possesses an animal assisted therapy certification and the dog be
a certified therapy animal. The staff to participants ratio should be 1:1 to minimize any possible
risks and be able to fully focus on the participant. Before starting the activity with the dog,
therapist must explain rules for safety of the participant and the animal, as well as discussing
instructions. The therapist must introduce the participant and the dog through a warm approach.
Have the participant call the animal by its first name and if needed feed it a treat prior to the
activity. Petting the animal is a must to begin. During fetch activity do not let the participant
throw the ball erratically where he/she can hurt themselves. Sun protectant must be worn when
outside. Demonstrate fetch, feeding treats, and petting if necessary.
Adaptations:
Participants with Substance Abuse: Substance abuse is when an individual hazardously uses
psychoactive substances. The abuse of these substances alters judgment, perception, attention, or
physical control (Substance Abuse and Addiction Health Center, n.d.). To ensure a successful
fetch session with participants with substance abuse, take steps to avoid irritation and impulsivity
by focusing on the interaction of the participant with the animal. Prolonging the interaction with
the animal prior to playing fetch gives the participant a sense of safety, trust, and serves as a
relaxant (dogtime, 2015). The physical activity involved with playing fetch also benefits the
participant with substance abuse. Having the participant move around rather than staying
stationary while playing fetch promotes physical activity and strengthens resistance to addiction
(Volkow, 2011).

Ashley Font Activities Portfolio #10

Participants with Cerebrovascular Accident: A cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is when

blood flow to a part of your brain is stopped by a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel (Ellen,
2005). Depending on which side of the brain is affected by a CVA determines which side of the
body is affected as well. Symptoms include weakness of both sides and depending on which side
is affected, loss of speech or language, memory, attention deficits, lowered tolerance for
frustration, decreased reasoning abilities, and/or vision deficits (Ellen, 2005). To ensure a
successful session with an individual with a CVA, therapist should be well aware of what side
has been affected. The individual tends to utilize their more effective side, so by having the
participant throw the ball and grasps the treats with the hand with less strength helps the
individual develop motor skills and gain awareness of that particular side (Dattilo & McKenney,
2016). A pictured task list is helpful to those individuals with a right CVA due to memory
deficits and decreased reading ability to complete the activity at their best. The individual should
call the animals name when retrieving the ball to exercise cognition (SimpleCEUs, 2016).
Demonstration is highly recommended for those individuals with a CVA.
Adaptation References:
Substance Abuse and Addiction Health Center. Retrieved November 10, 2016, from WebMD,
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/substance-abuse
Volkow, N. (2011, March 1). Physical activity may prevent substance abuse. Retrieved
November 10, 2016, from Noras Blog, https://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/nidanotes/2011/03/physical-activity-may-prevent-substance-abuse
dogtime. (2015, June 11). Therapy pets and humans with mental health issues. Retrieved
November 10, 2016, from General, http://dogtime.com/dog-health/general/20839-pet-therapyand-human-mental-health-issues
Ellen, M. (2005). Cerebrovascular accident. Retrieved November 10, 2016, from
http://www.healthline.com/health/cerebrovascular-accident#Overview1
Dattilo, J., & McKenney, A. (2016). Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation (3rd ed.).
Venture Publishing.
SimpleCEUs. (2016). Retrieved November 10, 2016, from
http://simpleceus.com/lesson/implementing-animal-assisted-therapy-into-a-treatment-plan-4/