Therapod Podcast
The Therapod podcast is a valuable resource created by a team of experienced clinicians- Hosted by Banu Balaji, an experienced occupational therapist. Joining us as Co-host this season we have Georgie Cooney, dedicated teacher, author, and dyslexia specialist with years of experience supporting learners with Specific Learning Difficulties.
This podcast aims to provide accessible and practical information for parents, caregivers, and professionals working with children, especially those with additional needs. Banu and her seasoned colleagues share their insights on various topics such as sensory strategies, communication, neurodevelopmental assessments, and promoting both physical and mental health in children and adolescents. They bring their years of training and experience to the table in a way that makes it accessible and meaningful.
The emphasis is on the importance of parents providing timely support and help when needed and aim to reduce overwhelm and bring joy to parenting. The podcast delves into the evolving challenges of modern parenting, the impact of changing environments on children, the significance of play in learning and development, and the value of balancing structured activities with free play. Through their discussions, therapod highlights the importance of understanding individual needs, fostering positive relationships, and supporting children's growth and well-being in today's complex world.
Therapod Podcast
What is Animal Assisted Therapy? part 1 ( with Karol Santisteven and Matthew Knight)
In this episode of the TheraPod podcast, we first dive into the world of animal-assisted therapy with Karol Santisteven, an occupational therapist based in Casper, Wyoming. Karol, who runs her own practice called Ropes and Roses, integrates nature and animals into her therapeutic approach, helping clients of all ages—including children with trauma and adults dealing with PTSD—connect with themselves in a meaningful way.Karol explains the unique benefits of working with horses in therapy, highlighting how equine movement can aid physical rehabilitation and emotional regulation. She discusses hippotherapy, where the movement of the horse mimics human gait to stimulate muscle and brain connections, as well as equine-assisted therapy, which focuses on relational dynamics and communication skills. We also hear from hear from Matthew Knight, the founder of the Feed Ducks Initiative, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inspired by his young son Oscar's fascination with wildlife, Matthew started taking him to their local park in Carrigline, Cork, to feed ducks. Noticing that many people were feeding bread—something harmful to the birds—he sought to create a solution that would promote healthier feeding practices.
Matthew shares his personal experiences with his son and how it hepled him engage more with his surroundings and develop communication skills through interactions with the ducks and find joy in this activity. Matthew emphasizes the initiative’s goal of providing families with a fun and purposeful activity that fosters connection and well-being for both children and adults. Join us on this fun and informative episode about how animals can help people connect and bring people together! You can contact Mathew Knight or The Feed Ducks Initiative
mjk@feedducks.com
www.feedducks.com
and Karol through her social media
https://www.ropesandrosestherapy.com/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057399311577
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karol-santistevan-971a3a43/
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@therapodpodcast on instagram
@therapod pod on facebook
Or email us at therapodpodcast@gmail.com.
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