Bathing

Occupational Therapy
Written By Julie Robertson

Intervention Summary

Goals: ADL training
Patient task: Give the facility dog a bath
Dog task: Sit calmly while patient gives bath
Scale: Adaptive tools, positioning
Equipment needed: Shower supplies

Intervention Overview

Have your patient give the facility dog a bath for ADL training! It can address skills for bathing themselves, children, or pets by working through all the steps of a shower — shampooing, rinsing, towel drying, and blow drying.

Patient Instructions

  • Patient set up at edge of tub or shower

  • Bathe and groom facility dog:

    • Wet dog with handheld showerhead

    • Open/close shampoo bottles

    • Rub shampoo all over dog

    • Rinse

    • Use towel and/or blow dryer to dry off dog

    • Brush fur and put working vest back on

Dog’s Role

  • Position dog inside tub or shower

    • If needed, use lick mat for distraction

  • Interaction level: passive

Scaling

Make it easier:

  • Use adaptive tools (like shower mitt or adaptive brush)

  • Patient can sit in chair

Make it harder:

  • Patient in standing or kneeling position at edge of tub

Additional Notes

Julie Robertson
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Nail Painting