Painted Paw Occupational Therapy
Animals | Art | Nature
Painted Paw Occupational Therapy, PLLC provides occupational therapy services to children, adolescents, and adults in Ithaca, NY, integrating animal interactions, nature, and artistic approaches to support social-emotional, sensory, cognitive, motor, and daily living skills.
A holistic approach
At Painted Paw OT, sessions are designed to feel engaging, supportive, and meaningful. Evidence-based occupational therapy strategies are combined with specially trained occupational therapy dogs and horses, nature-based experiences, and creative activities to support growth in ways that feel natural and motivating.
Whether working on emotional regulation, motor development, sensory processing, or everyday routines, therapy is individualized to each client’s strengths, goals, and interests.
Areas of Support
• Emotional regulation and social skills
• Gross and fine motor development
• Developmental delays
• Handwriting and academic participation
• Activities of daily living (ADLs)/self-care
• Hand-eye coordination
• Sensory processing and feeding/eating challenges
• Trauma-responsive care
• Parent, caregiver, and family education
Not sure whether occupational therapy is the right fit? Schedule a free consultation to discuss your goals and current concerns.
The role of animals, art & nature
At Painted Paw OT, therapy sessions may incorporate specially trained dogs and horses, along with nature- and art-based approaches, to support individualized goals in meaningful and engaging ways.
Research suggests that interactions with animals, creative activities, and natural environments can support emotional regulation, sensory processing, attention, stress reduction, and overall wellbeing.Animals are respected as partners and co-facilitators in the therapeutic process. Clients learn to read and respond to their choices and body language, supporting social skills and perspective-taking.
Humans and animals share similar autonomic nervous system responses, which can support emotional regulation and engagement during therapeutic interactions. Sessions incorporating animals may facilitate social-emotional development through consistent, relational, and sensory experiences that support co-regulation and participation.
Dogs often enhance play, social connection, and engagement, while horses can support grounding and regulation through rhythmic movement, environmental awareness, and structured interaction.
Nature- and art-based approaches further support these goals by promoting sensory exploration, attention, self-expression, and stress reduction through calming, creative, and embodied occupational experiences.
About Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy helps people participate more fully in the activities that matter most in daily life: learning, playing, working, socializing, leisure activities, caring for themselves, and engaging in meaningful routines.
When emotional, sensory, physical, developmental, or life challenges interfere with everyday functioning, occupational therapy provides individualized strategies and supports to build confidence, independence, and wellbeing. At Painted Paw OT, sessions incorporates animals, nature, and creative approaches to make sessions both effective and engaging.
Meet your occupational therapist
Katie, MOT, OTR/L, C-AAIS, is a licensed occupational therapist providing holistic, client-centered care for children, adolescents, and adults. She has experience across pediatric, outpatient, rehabilitation, home-based, and telehealth settings.
Katie specializes in integrating animal interactions, nature, and creative approaches into evidence-based occupational therapy. With advanced training in animal-assisted interventions and over a decade of experience working with dogs and horses, she prioritizes ethical, force-free, and relationship-centered practices that support both client and animal wellbeing.
Her goal is to create a supportive and engaging environment where clients can build skills, confidence, and meaningful participation in everyday life.
FAQ
Who Do You Work With?
We address a wide range of concerns and goals for all ages.
To see some of the common areas we support.
How Long Is Your Waitlist?
At this time, Painted Paw OT is pleased to offer immediate or near-term availability for new clients, allowing you to begin services without an extended wait.Services integrating horses are anticipated to begin in August/September 2026.
Session Cost & Length
Most sessions are 50 minutes to allow time for individualized treatment, transitions, and therapeutic pacing. However, sessions are occasionally shortened if deemed appropriate as part of your plan of care.Evaluation: $150
Treatment Sessions: $130
Do You Accept Insurance?
We do not accept insurance at this time. However, we can provide you with a superbill to present to your insurer for reimbursement. We are happy to answer any additional questions to facilitate the process.
Where Do Sessions Take Place?
Painted Paw OT operates out of a shared space with Healing Rein Farm at:
330 W Dryden Rd
Freeville, NY 13068
Sessions may take place in a variety of settings depending on your goals and needs, including indoor climate-controlled therapy spaces, an indoor arena, or outdoors across the 82-acre property. This variety allows for flexible, functional, and nature-based occupational therapy experiences.
What About Bad Weather?
We encourage outdoor exploration in all seasons when appropriate, but we also prioritize safety and comfort for both clients and animals. In cases of extreme cold, heat, or other inclement weather, sessions can be moved to our indoor, climate-controlled treatment spaces.
When travel is unsafe, telehealth services may also be available so you can continue care without interruption.
Meet The Animals
Sierra
Sierra is a Bernedoodle (Bernese Mountain Dog × Poodle) with experience working as a college campus dog, service dog, volunteer therapy dog, and occupational therapy facility dog alongside Katie.With extensive training, over 60 learned commands, and multiple AKC titles, Sierra helps make therapy sessions engaging, individualized, and meaningful. Her calm and intuitive nature supports connection, emotional regulation, motivation, and social engagement across a wide range of ages and settings.
Tessa
Tessa is an American Paint Horse who first inspired Katie’s path into occupational therapy through partnering together to provide equine-assisted activities for individuals with disabilities.Tessa is known for her gentle, attuned presence and strong sensitivity to human emotion, often helping individuals feel calm, grounded, and understood. Curious and playful, she enjoys learning new tasks and engaging in interactive ground-based activities. And her favorite treat? Bananas.
Quigley
Quigley is a Bearded Retriever (Poodle × Labrador Retriever × Golden Retriever) currently in training to become a part of the Painted Paw team.He brings a joyful, energetic presence to every interaction and genuinely loves connecting with people. Quigley enjoys interactive games and movement-based activities that support engagement, participation, and motivation during therapy sessions.We hope Quigley will begin participating in sessions on a limited basis in Fall/Winter 2026.
Contact
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to support you on your journey to improved well-being and independence.
Healing Rein Farm
330 W Dryden Rd
Freeville, NY 13068Fax: [000-000-0000]
Email: [email protected]