Step Overs
Intervention Summary
Goals: Balance
Patient task: Patient stepping over dog
Dog task: Dog stays still in down position
Scale: Resistance, surface
Equipment needed: None
Intervention Overview
Use your facility dog as a cute obstacle! Challenge your patient’s balance or increase their step height or length by stepping over the dog.
Patient Instructions
Start in standing position next to the dog
Take a large step over the dog, either forward, sideways, or backward
Dog’s Role
Dog in down position
Interaction level: passive
Scaling
Make it easier:
Patient in sitting position with dog at feet, patient lifts legs over dog side to side
Make it harder:
Add ankle weights for resistance
Use an uneven surface to challenge balance
Perform without assistive device
