Occupational Therapy students complete interactive projects within the community

Students in UNE’s Occupational Therapy program have been busy, actively engaging with community members over the past six weeks:

Kirstin Russel, Angela Brunette, Laura Crossley-Marra, Nicole Trifone, Josephine Balasz and Sara Durgin, MSOT ’15, conducted a qualitative research study on equine-assisted experiences of riders, parents and volunteers at Riding to the Top (RTT), a local therapeutic horseback riding program in Windham, Maine.

The unique meaning found in the important occupational roles of rider, parent and volunteer is important for recruitment, payment and public relations for the organization.

This project was an interprofessional endeavor led by Kathryn Loukas, M.S., OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, clinical professor, RTT board member; and Sarah Bronson, PT, executive director of RTT.

Graduate students Norah Brennan, Kyle Jerdan and Brittany Peters recently completed six weeks of program development and implementation of a social skills group for children at the Westbrook Community center. In six short weeks, the four children’s social skills showed marked improvement, which will help them participate more fully and meaningfully within the community. The group was supervised by Elizabeth Crampsey, M.S., OTR/L, BCPR,  assistant clinical professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy.

MSOT ’15 graduate students Gabby Bryant, Laura Crossly-Marra, Iris Wilbur-Kamien, Allie Frazier, Kat Sloyan, Josee Balazs and Jennifer Taylor also recently ended their six week series called, “Aging in Place.”

This series was implemented at the Park Danforth senior living community, and was well-received by residents. A Jeopardy-style game was held during the final session of the program to test participant knowledge from the previous sessions.

Students collaborated on this program with Nancy MacRae, M.S., OTR/L, FAOTA, associate professor, and Annette Crosby, resident coordinator of Park Danforth.