Ring Toss

Physical Therapy
Written By Julie Robertson

Intervention Summary

Goals: Balance, Standing tolerance
Patient task: Toss rings, retrieve rings from dog
Dog task: Pick up rings, bring them back to patient
Scale: Patient positioning, surface
Equipment needed: Ring toss game

Intervention Overview

Challenge your patient with a game of ring toss! The dog can provide an active distraction while you challenge your patient’s balance, activity tolerance, and use of their affected side.

Patient Instructions

  • Patient tosses rings onto post, then retrieves each ring as the dog brings it back to them

Dog’s Role

  • Dog picks up rings and brings them back to the patient

  • Can change where the dog is positioned (on patients left/right, standing or in down position)

  • Interaction level: active

Scaling

Make it easier:

  • Patient in sitting position

  • Only use unaffected upper extremity

  • Use with assistive device for balance

Make it harder:

  • Change surface patient is sitting/standing on: foam balance pad, BOSU ball, etc.

  • Change patient’s foot positions in standing: feet together, tandem, single leg stance

  • Use affected upper extremity for throwing/retrieving

  • Target patient’s neglect side

  • Perform without assistive device

Additional Notes

Julie Robertson
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