Guest: Morgan Starkweather

• Email [email protected]  
• Ithaca College’s Occupational Therapy Program 

Topics we Uncorked:

• In the intro, I mentioned my episode on personal goal setting. Check it out here: 
  • February Growth Goals 
• Raising an assistance dog
  • What is the role of the raiser?
  • What does the dog learn while living with the raiser? 
• Role of assistance dogs in enabling participation and engagement in people with ASD
  • Speciality commands that match the handler’s needs
  • How dogs keep their handlers safe
  • How dogs can help their handlers with ADLs like eating and dressing
  • Dogs can encourage their handlers to participate
  • Freedom for the family to not have to explain themselves in public 
• Different types of assistance dogs (guide, hearing, and service)
  • Assistance Dogs International 
  • Pepper is a guide dog
  • Many organizations that raise and train assistance dogs
  • Morgan raised Pepper through Guiding Eyes for the Blind 
• The possible role of OT with assistance dog agencies for matching dogs with handlers  
• The benefits of doing a Masters thesis 
  • Learn how to advocate for OT in emerging practice areas
  • Learn new methods for learning about people’s experiences 

Wine we Uncorked:

• Paxis Red Blend (Bulldog)
  • Portugal, 2013
  • My take:  aromatic, but the taste was a bit tart and chalky
    • Pros: less than $10
    • Cons: I’m not likely to buy this vintage again, but I hear the 2017 and more recent vintages are much better, so I may give those a chance
•  Lucas Vineyards Sangria
  • Finger Lakes, NY, USA  

Book Recommendations:

• Room by Emma Donoghue 

More from OT Uncorked: 

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• Questions? Email me at [email protected]