By Fairooz Sedick (Head of Occupational Therapy Department)
Alexandra Hospital provide services to clients with Intellectual disability and complex Psychiatric conditions. The facility caters for adult acute and long stay residential care clients. Clients residing at Alexandra Hospital have been institutionalized for several years often experience occupational deprivation, isolation and alienation leading to feelings of loneliness and longing.
The Occupational Therapy department felt the need to ‘MAKE IT BETTER’ for the clients and reduce anxieties and stress, increase social interaction, provide a sense of connection, love and improve the overall well-being of the clients.
The OT department initiated the collaboration with Top(Touch Our Pets) Dogs organization. Top Dogs provide a service known as Dog Therapy or Animal Assisted Therapy. It involves trained dogs and their handlers visiting an organization and providing clients with emotional support, comfort and affection.
Top Dogs have worked alongside the Occupational Therapists to ‘MAKE IT HAPPEN’. The goals for intervention are not only for the patient’s mental wellbeing but also working on physical goals like maintaining or improving range of movement, muscle strength and mobility.
The Dog Therapy encourage reminiscence therapy as many clients can relate to their lives prior to admission, having a dog as a best friend. The engagement with the dogs improve self-worth by having our clients take care of the dogs, taking them for walks, giving them treats and getting them a drink of water.
The dogs give the clients a sense of belonging and connectedness as many of them developed relationships with specific dogs, taking ownership during the visit.
The dogs now own a special place in the hearts of many of the clients as the they care and love unconditionally without any judgement. The clients now look forward to meeting up monthly to share a cherished moment with their best friends.
Last Updated on 28 October 2024 by HPCSA Corporate Affairs