Animals and Aquatics

 Join host Gina as she delves into the world of occupational therapy education, focusing on the crucial role of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) in student fieldwork experiences. Learn how the OTPF can empower students to navigate the transition from academia to clinical practice with confidence and competence. Gain practical insights and strategies for incorporating the OTPF into your fieldwork placements and max...

 Welcome to Occupational Therapy Month!  This week our podcast episode all about occupational therapy interventions! We'll be discussing practical tips and strategies for success, including how to use the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF-4) in your everyday practice. Join us as we break down complex ideas into easy-to-understand concepts, offering simple ways to enhance your OT practice and make intervention plann...

 In this episode of Animals and Aquatics, Gina delves into the intricacies of utilizing the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) in the evaluation process. She highlights the significance of understanding the OTPF's components and discusses its applicability in various occupational therapy niches, including nature-based therapy, hippotherapy, and aquatics. Gina provides valuable insights and practical examples to gui...

 In this episode, Gina  celebrates April as Occupational Therapy Month by delving into the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) and its application in the unique area of hippotherapy. She explores how hippotherapy promotes the development of activities of daily living (ADLs) and discuss the importance of utilizing equine movement as a therapeutic tool to achieve functional outcomes. Through real-life examples and insights...

 In this episode of "Animals and Aquatics in OT," host Gina explores effective marketing strategies for unique private practices incorporating hippotherapy or aquatics. Reflecting on recent conferences attended and the significance of marketing, Gina discusses the concept of brand storytelling, emphasizing values and mission over traditional branding elements. She shares insights into failed marketing strategies like flye...

 Join Gina and Ryan, an OT couple, in their podcast "Animals and Aquatics" as they delve into the world of continuing education. From workshops to conferences, they explore the importance of expanding one's horizons and stepping outside of comfort zones. With a mix of personal experiences and professional insights, they discuss the diverse range of learning opportunities available to therapists. From niche certificat...

 Swim Skills or Therapy? Understanding the Differences 
 In this episode of "Animals and Aquatic," host Ryan, a certified occupational therapy assistant, delves into the similarities and differences between aquatic occupational therapy (OT) and adaptive swim lessons. Ryan discusses the unique goals, interventions, and documentation requirements of each approach, highlighting the importance of swim skills for children&...

 In this episode of the Animals and Aquatics in OT podcast, host Gina delves into the world of professional conferences in occupational therapy. She shares her insights on the importance of attending conferences, strategies for maximizing the conference experience, and tips for balancing conference attendance with other professional commitments. Gina also discusses funding options for conference attendance, self-care strategies for...

In this episode of the Animals and Aquatics podcast, host Gina delves into the occupation-based phase of occupational therapy (OT) practice in niche areas like animal-assisted and aquatic interventions. With a focus on practical insights and expert advice, Gina discusses the three key priorities during this phase: testing systems, establishing work-life boundaries, and creating a career pathway.

Listeners will gain valuable insights...

 Join Gina on Animals and Aquatics as she explores purposeful steps for occupational therapists and assistants interested in animal-assisted and aquatic therapy. From establishing legal foundations to crafting exceptional client experiences, Gina provides practical advice for navigating the unique challenges of these specialty areas in occupational therapy. Whether you're considering starting your own practice or integrating t...

 In this episode of Animals & Aquatics in OT, co-host Gina delves into the theme of "Getting Started" in unique OT niches like hippotherapy, aquatics therapy, or nature-based therapy. She emphasizes the importance of preparation in three key areas: work, business, and legal considerations. Preparatory activities in OT serve as warm-ups, stimulating sensory systems and muscle groups to prepare clients for functional ac...

 Welcome to the new season of "Animals and Aquatics in Occupational Therapy" with hosts Gina and Ryan. They own a private practice in New Jersey and are passionate about helping OTs and OTAs incorporate animals or aquatics in their therapy journey. The hosts share their experiences, challenges, and valuable insights to build a supportive community for fellow practitioners. Season two promises more series, engaging intervi...

In this special season finale, we embark on a journey through the depths of our inaugural season, celebrating the "Buoyant Beginnings" of "Animals & Aquatics in OT." Join us as we dive into the highlights, memorable moments, and the incredible guests who have graced our show.

We'll take you behind the scenes to explore the challenges, laughs, and learning experiences that have shaped our podcast's f...

In this special Thanksgiving episode, Gina and Ryan, co-hosts of "Animals and Aquatics in OT," take time to reflect on the year and express their gratitude. They share their journey of starting an aquatic therapy program with a sensory focus and the challenges they faced in finding the right practice location. The hosts also discuss the expansion of their program into adaptive swimming, emphasizing the positive impact it ...

 In this episode, we explore the art of session planning for Occupational Therapists working in unique settings such as animals and aquatics. Gina, an experienced OT, shares her journey and progression in session planning, emphasizing the importance of adapting interventions to the specific environment. She introduces the concept of "intervention themes" that streamline session planning, making it engaging and dynamic wit...

 In this episode of "Animals and Aquatics," your host Gina, a mom, wife, occupational therapist, private practice owner, entrepreneur, and OT educator, delves into the crucial topic of seasonal planning for occupational therapists working with animals and aquatics. She highlights the importance of adapting to the changing seasons, particularly in a four-season climate, and shares strategies for planning client care, maxim...

🎃 Welcome to 'Animals & Aquatics in OT' Halloween Special! 🎃

Host Gina, your spirited guide, is here to take you on a spine-tingling journey through the world of occupational therapy nightmares, all with a playful Halloween twist. In this eerie episode, we'll uncover the secrets of safety, risk management, and liability insurance – and, of course, we'll keep it delightfully entertaining!

Get ready for a ghos...

 In this special Halloween-themed episode, join Gina, an experienced OT and host of Animals and Aquatics, as she shares three creative Halloween intervention ideas for occupational therapists. From crafting nature-based Halloween masks to trick-or-treating on horseback in sessions incorporating hippotherapy, and even bobbing for pumpkins in aquatic therapy, Gina's unique approach promises to add a touch of therapeutic magic to...

 In this episode of "Animals and Aquatics," hosts Ryan and Gina explore the concept of growth in non-traditional occupational therapy (OT) practices. They use the analogy of a tree to illustrate the stages of development from a clinician's roots in traditional OT to branching out into non-traditional settings. The hosts emphasize the importance of strong foundational knowledge in OT theory and interventions before em...