Reflection- This is just the beginning

                      "Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened"
                                                                        Anatole France

As I sit here reminiscing over the past two months, and putting what I have learnt into prospective into my own life, the numerous times my dogs have assisted me achieve some form of goal, or greeted me no matter what mistake I had just done, I feel extremely lucky to have had that in my life. I choose Occupational Therapy (OT) as a career after my Father suffered a stroke, hard to believe it was ten years ago and I am only weeks away from completely my degree. I wanted to help people, the way the amazing OT's helped my Dad, and enabled him to walk again, go back to work, play golf, drive a car and most importantly, stay being Dad. Three years ago I never would have thought I could incorporate my love and passion for animals into a career which is already so incredible rewarding.

Three days ago I was lucky enough to attend a talk by Belinda Simpson, an OT working in New Zealand and using animals as interventions for many of her clients. It was amazing to see Tana, her golden retriever in action and the things he could do. My older posts have explained a variety of settings and types of goals which clients achieve, due to the interaction, presence, and touch from an animal. Although there is a solid amount of research out there, suggesting the benefits of AAT, unfortunately New Zealand has not quite got there yet. There is very little websites which explain AAT and advertise this type of therapy. Off course there are sites explaining pet therapy and assistance dogs, but as we learnt from post 2, there if a number of differences which separate them all.

I asked a question on my first post, "Is there a place for Animal Assisted therapy in Occupational Therapy". I can quite confidently say ABSOLUTELY. Over the course of my training, my lectures have spent a great deal entrenching appropriate interventions into us, such as; environmental modifications, activity analysis, meaning occupation and so on. I hope one day, animal assisted therpay is as recognized as the above mentioned.  

Animals, no matter what size, colour, or type have the ability to work silent miracles. In their presence individuals are able to accomplish the unthinkable and surprise even themselves as they find a new piece of motivation within them.

I hope you have enjoyed this topic as much as I have. Watch this space, within three years I aim to be a practicing Occupational therapist and working alone side me, will be my golden retriever 'Baxter'. To add to my bucket list of wishes, I will also visit Winter- Better start saving!!!!!!

This is just the beginning of great things for New Zealand and Animal Assisted Therapy, I hope in my profession I add to the growing body of research, and continue to make a difference incorporating animals into practice.