On the Record - 2016 | Page 13

STEPS TO FOLLOW WHEN PROVIDING DOCUMENTATION

1 . Determine Your Own

Competency Occupational therapists are expected to consider the OT scope of practice and their own personal competencies when determining whether it would be appropriate to provide a client with service animal documentation .

2 . Conduct an Assessment OTs are required to ensure that an appropriate assessment has taken place in accordance with the Standards for Occupational Therapy Assessment and that client records regarding the request for documentation follow the Standards for Record Keeping .

“ Occupational therapists have been identified as one of nine regulated health professions that can provide documentation to confirm that a person requires a service animal for reasons relating to that person ’ s disability .”

3 . Provide Documentation of the Need There are no specified templates or required forms . A written letter from an OT would constitute documentation for this purpose . Careful consideration should be given to the content of the letter as the letter may be requested in many different situations , and should therefore ; only include the personal health information necessary for the purpose of the letter .

Resources : Canadian Transportation Agency
https :// www . otc-cta . gc . ca / eng / publication / travelling-with-animals-provide-disabilityrelated-assistance

Employers & the AODA

OTs need to be aware of other important AODA changes that apply to all organizations in Ontario with one or more employees . If you are an employer , please ensure you are familiar with the current legislation .
Please review the legislation at www . ontario . ca for further information .
Ontario Government https :// www . ontario . ca / laws / regulation / 110191
College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario ON THE RECORD 2016
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