Correctional facilities are an excellent place to introduce leisure based services. The focus of the treatment can be geared toward bringing out the best in people, team building exercises and emotional release activities. Inmates benefit by accelerating the rehabilitation and the eventual need for inclusion back in society while providing a safe, healthy environment for emotional release that may lead to decreased violence and improved relationships in the prison. Opera was introduced into prison setting and use in a therapeutic manner. The inmates reportedly had many breakthroughs such as a sense of self forgiveness and less aggression. An RT professional should without a doubt be involved in creating such modalities for prisoners.
Traditional based animal therapy commonly involves horses and dogs to help facilitate an intervention in a person with disabilities' life. Often times this relationship between the client and the animal is effective at helping develop relationships, understand what it is to care for another and also provide sensory stimulation that may help with overall motor skills. A new and exciting alternative is Dolphin Assisted Therapy, or DAT for short. This intervention is set in a marina and uses dolphins as an effective tool to help those with disabilities improve several types of functioning. These interventions can be focused on maintaining eye contact, overall motor skills and attentiveness. An RT professional is best suited for this position to ensure the proper measurable goals are set for the clients.
As previously mentioned the delivery systems for Recreational Therapy are almost endless. In any RT or healthcare setting, it is important the goals are clear and measurable and to the client's benefit. These two non traditional settings that are new to the industry, correctional facilities and marine life based interventions, are just a small sampling of how Recreational Therapy can be integrated into almost any setting to provide a more leisure based treatment. As the next generation of RT professionals venture out into the industry and open their own practices, it is important to continue to innovate and bring new exciting ideas to light.
Click the Links Below to Learn More
Dustin, D., & McKenney, A. (n.d.). A Night at the Opera.
Humphries, T. (n.d.). Effectiveness of Dolphin-Assisted Therapy as a Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Disabilities. Bridges, 1(6).
Keller, J. (n.d.). Looking Forward: The Future of Recreation Therapy/Therapeutic Recreation Education. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 49(4), 223-225.