Fetch
Intervention Summary
Goals: Balance, Arm strength
Patient task: Throw ball for dog
Dog task: Fetch the ball and bring it back to patient
Scale: Positioning, resistance, surfaces
Equipment needed: Nerf ball, tennis ball
Intervention Overview
The most classic dog activity: fetch! Our patients love to practice this activity in order to play with their own dogs at home, or just to watch how happy it makes our facility dog! Add extra challenges to make this a valuable therapeutic activity for your patient.
Patient Instructions
Sitting or standing
Patient throws ball to dog
Dog’s Role
Dog fetches ball and brings it back to patient
Interaction level: active
Scaling
Make it easier:
Patient in sitting position
Use dominant/non-involved arm only
Use lighter weight ball
Make it harder:
Various positions (half kneel, tall kneel, tandem stance, single leg stance)
Uneven surfaces (BOSU ball, foam balance pad, outdoor surfaces like pavers or grass)
Add weight to wrists
Ask patient to step forward while throwing
Additional Notes
Equipment: Nerf ball, tennis ball
