S3:E13 Navigating NDIS - Third Parties, Animal ASSISTED Therapy vs 'Animal Therapy'

Quick recap

Sam discusses the complexities of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and its impact on therapy sessions, emphasizing the importance of understanding the distinction between animal therapy and animal-assisted therapy. She also clarifies the role of tools and objects in therapy sessions, and the use of animal experiences in therapy, arguing that therapists should (and do) have the autonomy to use evidence-based tools without interference from the NDIS. Lastly, she shares her experiences with therapy dogs in psychology and allied health settings, and emphasises the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and correct documentation of therapy sessions involving animal-assisted therapy.

Key Points

• Allied health professionals to ensure their case notes and reports focus on evidence-based interventions rather than overemphasizing animal interactions.

• Practitioners to include a separate section in case notes for animal-assisted therapy observations, without drawing clinical conclusions solely from animal interactions.

• Clinicians to document how animal presence does not detract from providing professional services in their notes.

• Therapy dog handlers to be prepared to justify the expense and value of animal-assisted therapy tools if questioned by third-party payers.

• Animal-assisted therapy practitioners to collaborate on risk management strategies in preparation for potential future regulatory challenges.

Enjoy!

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