Dog Community

Breakthrough on College Situation

Posted : 1/16/2007 11:19:46 PM

I have had a terrible time deciding what I want to do. I started out as Animal Science, then tried music business, marketing, and public relations. None of them really fit me. The good part is that most of the classes I have taken will apply to anything. This semester, I am taking some random classes. Learning to learn, which is basically a class that will help me find better ways to study. Lately, studying has been very hard for me no matter how hard I try. Hopefully, this class will help me become more productive. World of Work. My advisor suggested this. It is a class that helps you find careers you would enjoy and do well in. Animal genetics...this one just sounds fun! Introduction to Art...I have wanted to take this class since freshman year but haven't been able to. Overall, this semester won't really count towards any degree at all but I think it will really help me get back on track. My dad seems to think that I should only take classes that will help me graduate. I would love to do that, but I need help getting on track so I can do well in classes.
But, my breakthrough! I think I found something! Leisure studies with an option in therapeutic recreation. This would include things like equine therapy, something I have wanted to do forever! That could also go for canine therapy, which I have wanted to do even longer! There are so many things that I could do. I love helping people and have thought very hard about some kind of therapy work with addicts. I could combine a few things I love to do! I'm going to be researching it more this semester before I decide for sure, but right now, it is at the top of my list! Does anyone have any experience with this type of program?

TexasDaisy

Posted : 1/17/2007 12:38:08 AM

I've never heard about anything like that, but it sounds really interesting!

ColleenC

Posted : 1/17/2007 12:55:43 AM

This is the definition of "therapeutic recreation."
The primary purpose of Therapeutic Recreation is to assist individuals with illnesses, disabilities or limitations, to use their leisure in ways that restore, enhance and/or maintain their health, independence, and well-being.
I really think this is what I want to do! Ever since I can remember, I have wanted to do therapy with dogs and horses. I have always been very interested in how animals can be one of the best forms of therapy. When I saw this, it just clicked! This is what I should do. I get to work with animals, which is something that I seem to keep falling back to. I would get to help with therapy programs, which is also something I have wanted to do. Plus, I could probably work on developing my own therapy animal program. That would give me a lot of insight into animal behavior which is another thing I love. I really wish I had found this program 4 years ago!

Xebby

Posted : 1/17/2007 7:51:01 PM

I say the only way you will know for sure if you like it is to try it. Take a chance and see what happens.

Last semester I took some classes I didn't exactly need to graduate and I really enjoyed them, was a break from the same stuff I had been doing the last 5 years of college. After doing that I found my world just expanded and I have so many choices now that I never knew about. College is more than just taking classes to do one things, it's about finding out what you truly want in life so if it takes you 4 more years to get that degree do it, do what makes YOU happy.

tashakota

Posted : 1/18/2007 10:25:11 AM

Yes!!! There is a volunteer program here in Bloomington, IN that a good friend of mine started several years ago. PALS, [linkhttp://www.palstherapy.org.%C2%A0]www.palstherapy.org. [/link] I did the website for them and volunteer when I can. It is sooo much fun and very rewarding to help all those people. I'm so jealous of them because they get to ride and have it paid for by insurance.

~

Where are you located? My friend that runs the program also teaches a recreational therapy class at IU for their outdoor ed majors, I think... You could certainly email her with questions, she's very helpful and knowledgeable. If you could manage a transfer, IU and Bloomington are great places to live and study. Plus then you could volunteer at PALS. Or if you wanted to intern there this summer, you could do that too, they take interns for the summer sessions. In addition, if you just wanted to check one out, go to [linkhttp://www.narha.org/Centers/FindCenter2.asp]http://www.narha.org/Centers/FindCenter2.asp[/link] to help you find a center near you.

PS- feel free to PM me or email me if you have more questions!!!