Recreation Therapy is a health profession dedicated to helping people overcome barriers and engage in healthy and rewarding leisure activity. Recreation Therapy works to optimize health within the scope of a person’s abilities and potential. Recreation Therapy serves people of all ages, with a variety of abilities in a variety of settings, who may be experiencing barriers to leisure and participation.

 

“Recreation therapy is a process that utilizes functional intervention, education, and recreational participation. It enables persons with physical, cognitive, emotional, and/or social limitations to acquire and/or maintain the skills, knowledge, and behaviours that will allow them to enjoy their leisure optimally, function independently with the least amount of assistance, and participate as fully as possible in society.” –Therapeutic Recreation Ontario

 

Recreation Therapists make a difference in people’s lives by helping them get the most out of life and cope with illness, disability or other barriers. Recreation Therapists go beyond personal care and focus on improving quality of life for people of all ages and abilities.

 

The profession of Recreation Therapy in Canada is guided by Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (TRO) and by the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association (CTRA).