Treat Puzzles

Occupational Therapy
Written By Julie Robertson

Intervention Summary

Goals: Fine motor control, hemiparetic weightbearing
Patient task: Load the treat puzzle for the dog
Dog task: Eat the treats!
Scale: Positioning, puzzle difficulty
Equipment needed: Treat puzzles

Intervention Overview

If your patient wants to spoil your facility dog while also working on their OT goals, this is the activity for them! Have your patient load treats into a treat puzzle and then watch your facility dog solve the puzzle.

Patient Instructions

  • Sitting or standing

  • Load treats into puzzle using impaired hand

    • Note: for hemiparetic weightbearing, patient bears weight onto hemiparetic arm while loading puzzle using non-involved hand

Dog’s Role

  • Dog sits nearby and waits for puzzle to be filled

  • Interaction level: passive

Scaling

Make it easier:

  • Patient in sitting position

  • Use treat puzzle that is easier to load

Make it harder:

  • Patient in standing position

  • Use treat puzzle that requires more manipulation and fine motor control to load

Additional Notes

Julie Robertson
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