Squats
Intervention Summary
Goals: Leg strength
Patient task: Patient squats to retrieve item from facility dog
Dog task: Dog gives item to patient
Scale: Dog positioning, surfaces, assistive devices, resistance
Equipment needed: Bean bags, or other items for patient to retrieve
Intervention Overview
Time for Leg Day! This activity is a great way to get repetitive squats for building leg strength or range of motion, especially when the patient benefits from distraction from pain or anxiety.
Patient Instructions
Start in standing position
Patient performs a squat to reach for an item the facility dog brings to them
Give cues for proper squat form
Dog’s Role
Dog retrieves an item one-by-one and brings it to patient
Can have dog in various positions: on left/right, in stand, in sit, in down position, or dropping item at patient’s feet
Interaction level: active
Scaling
Make it easier:
Dog remains in standing or sit so patient doesn’t have to squat or reach as far
Use assistive device for balance support
Make it harder:
Dogs goes into down position or drops item at feet so patient has to reach to floor
Perform squat on uneven surface (foam balance pad, BOSU ball)
Add weighted vest to patient to increase resistance
Perform without assistive device
Additional Notes
Equipment: we like to use bean bags for this, but you can use any item that challenges your patient appropriately (cones, rings, etc.)
