In this presentation, the presenter will briefly go over important knowledge, competencies, skills, and documents needed to practice animal assisted OT ethically and responsibly, as well as some brief tips for the next steps in pursuing this area of practice if it's of interest to you.

Bailee Rousso, OTD received her doctorate in occupational therapy from Washington University in St. Louis, and completed her capstone at Dogwood Therapy Services. She is certified to provide first aid and CPR to dogs and cats, and is considered an entry-level animal assisted treatment clinician.

Learning Objectives (for full version)

• SUMMARIZE the scope, core principles, and ethical foundations of Animal-Assisted Occupational Therapy (AAOT), informed by interdisciplinary standards and best practices.

• IDENTIFY the essential competencies, knowledge areas, and training requirements for ethical and effective practice in AAOT, based on guidelines from leading organizations (e.g., AASI, IAHAIO, AVMA, ACA, etc.).

• DESCRIBE key skills and responsibilities involved in working with therapy animals including animal handling, welfare, communication, and safety considerations.

• EXPLAIN the day-to-day operational aspects of integrating a therapy animal into OT sessions, including planning, hygiene, documentation, and client interaction protocols.

• REFLECT on personal and professional readiness to pursue AAOT and outline actionable next steps to explore or begin training in the field.