Lecturer
Overview
Jess has worked as a paediatric occupational therapist in private practice since graduating from her undergraduate degree. She gained additional training in animal-assisted therapy (canine and equine) in 2015 and became interested in the role animals could play in facilitating client motivation and engagement within therapy sessions. This interest led Jess to complete her PhD exploring the efficacy of canine-assisted occupational therapy with autistic children. Since completing her PhD Jess has continued her research into the impact of human-animal interaction to human and animal health and wellbeing resulting in a number of publications. In line with this research Jess is also the Co-director of The University of Queensland Animal-Assisted intervention Alliance, and the Community Engagement Manager for Animal Therapies Ltd. Jess is also qualified as a personal trainer and has clinical and research experience working to support people with disability engage in physical activity. Jess is a current researcher and coach within the UQ ParaSTART Program.
Research Interests
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Supporting physical activity participation for people with disability
Methods and strategies to support regular participation in physical activity for people with disability. -
Autism spectrum disorder
Clinical reasoning and decision making for evidence based intervention, client-centered, family-centered practice -
Animal-assisted services
The safe and ethical incorporation of animal-assisted services including assistance animals, therapy animals and companion animals
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours), C.Sturt
Publications
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Journal Article: The physical activity advice continuum-a guide for physical activity promotion in health care
Freene, Nicole, Barrett, Stephen, Cox, Emily R., Hill, Jessica, Lay, Roger, Seymour, Jessica, Szeto, Kimberley and Gomersall, Sjaan R. (2024). The physical activity advice continuum-a guide for physical activity promotion in health care. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 1-5. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2023-0748
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Hill, Jessica, Massey, Elise and Gullo, Hannah (2023). Understanding the experience of community-based fitness professionals supporting people with disability to engage in sport and exercise: a national survey. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1-11. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2246890
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Clanchy, Kelly, Hill, J., Fenning, M. and Tweedy, S. (2023). Community-based physical activity promotion confers broad-spectrum benefits for military veterans with chronic and complex conditions: evidence from 4 years of rehabilitation consultant referrals. BMJ Military Health e002375. doi: 10.1136/military-2023-002375
Grants
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(2023–2027) NHMRC MRFF PPHR - Effective Treatments and Therapies
Supervision
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Effectiveness of an Occupational Therapy intervention using a sensory enriched and parent coaching approach with toddlers (18 to 42 months) with tactile defensiveness and their caregivers.
Doctor Philosophy
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Understanding and influencing sedentary time in workers with a disability
Doctor Philosophy
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Understanding the OT role in the process of psychiatric assistance dog placement
Master Philosophy
Publications
Book Chapter
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Animal-assisted occupational therapy
Hill, Jessica (2020). Animal-assisted occupational therapy. Animal-Assisted Interventions for Health and Human Service Professionals. (pp. 271-293) Hauppauge, NY United States: Nova Science Publishers.
Journal Article
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The physical activity advice continuum-a guide for physical activity promotion in health care
Freene, Nicole, Barrett, Stephen, Cox, Emily R., Hill, Jessica, Lay, Roger, Seymour, Jessica, Szeto, Kimberley and Gomersall, Sjaan R. (2024). The physical activity advice continuum-a guide for physical activity promotion in health care. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 1-5. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2023-0748
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Hill, Jessica, Massey, Elise and Gullo, Hannah (2023). Understanding the experience of community-based fitness professionals supporting people with disability to engage in sport and exercise: a national survey. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1-11. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2246890
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Clanchy, Kelly, Hill, J., Fenning, M. and Tweedy, S. (2023). Community-based physical activity promotion confers broad-spectrum benefits for military veterans with chronic and complex conditions: evidence from 4 years of rehabilitation consultant referrals. BMJ Military Health e002375. doi: 10.1136/military-2023-002375
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Hill, Jessica, Driscoll, Carlie, Cawdell-Smith, Judy, Anderson, Stephen and Ziviani, Jenny (2023). Investigating dog welfare when interacting with autistic children within canine-assisted occupational therapy sessions: a single case study. Animals, 13 (12) 1965, 1-15. doi: 10.3390/ani13121965
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Milgate, Wendy, Copley, Jodie and Hill, Jessica (2023). Failing professional practice placements in allied health: What do we understand about the student experience? A scoping review. Advances in Health Sciences Education. doi: 10.1007/s10459-023-10243-w
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Hill, Jessica, Vogler, Jessica and Gullo, Hannah (2023). Occupational therapists' understanding of supporting physical activity participation when working with children and adolescents: a national survey. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 70 (3), 303-313. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12854
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Copley, Jodie, Turpin, Merrill, Justins, Emma, Colclough, Sarah and Hill, Jessica (2023). Building Expertise in the Workplace: Occupational Therapists Learning Upper Limb Hypertonicity Practice. Australian Journal of Clinical Education, 12 (1). doi: 10.53300/001c.75473
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Meredith, Pamela, Strong, Jenny, Condon, Lara, Lindstrom, Danica and Hill, Jessica (2023). Understanding the occupational role of dog ownership through the lens of attachment theory: a survey study. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 86 (3), 205-214. doi: 10.1177/03080226221133036
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Commentary on "Development of LDPAQ: learning disability physical activity questionnaire"
Brooker, Katie and Hill, Jessica (2022). Commentary on "Development of LDPAQ: learning disability physical activity questionnaire". Tizard Learning Disability Review, 27 (2), 122-126. doi: 10.1108/tldr-07-2022-0013
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Hill, Jessica, Ziviani, Jenny, Driscoll, Carlie, Teoh, Ai Lin, Chua, Jia Min and Cawdell-Smith, Judy (2020). Canine assisted occupational therapy for children on the autism spectrum: a pilot randomised control trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50 (11), 4106-4120. doi: 10.1007/s10803-020-04483-7
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Canine-assisted occupational therapy for children on the autism spectrum: parents’ perspectives
Hill, Jessica Rachel, Ziviani, Jenny and Driscoll, Carlie (2020). Canine-assisted occupational therapy for children on the autism spectrum: parents’ perspectives. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 67 (5), 427-436. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12659
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Hill, Jessica, Ziviani, Jenny, Cawdell-Smith, Judy and Driscoll, Carlie (2019). Canine assisted occupational therapy: protocol of a pilot randomised control trial for children on the autism spectrum. Open Journal of Pediatrics, 09 (03), 199-217. doi: 10.4236/ojped.2019.93020
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Canine-assisted occupational therapy for children on the autism spectrum: Challenges in practice
Hill, Jessica, Ziviani, Jenny, Driscoll, Carlie and Cawdell-Smith, Judy (2019). Canine-assisted occupational therapy for children on the autism spectrum: Challenges in practice. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 83 (4), 030802261985885-219. doi: 10.1177/0308022619858851
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Hill, Jessica, Ziviani, Jenny, Driscoll, Carlie and Cawdell-Smith, Judy (2019). Can canine-assisted interventions affect the social behaviours of children on the autism spectrum?: s systematic review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 6 (1), 13-25. doi: 10.1007/s40489-018-0151-7
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Portal hypertension in pregnancy – concealed perils
Morton, Adam, Laurie, Josephine and Hill, Jessica (2018). Portal hypertension in pregnancy – concealed perils. Obstetric Medicine, 13 (3), 1753495X1880146-144. doi: 10.1177/1753495x18801464
Other Outputs
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Canine-assisted occupational therapy for children on the autism specturm
Hill, Jessica (2021). Canine-assisted occupational therapy for children on the autism specturm. PhD Thesis, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/a214312
Grants (Administered at UQ)
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(2023–2027) NHMRC MRFF PPHR - Effective Treatments and Therapies
PhD and MPhil Supervision
Current Supervision
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Effectiveness of an Occupational Therapy intervention using a sensory enriched and parent coaching approach with toddlers (18 to 42 months) with tactile defensiveness and their caregivers.
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
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Understanding and influencing sedentary time in workers with a disability
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
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Understanding the OT role in the process of psychiatric assistance dog placement
Master Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
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Failing a professional practice experience in Occupational Therapy: the student experience.
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
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Interventions to increase physical activity in children and youth with Autism
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
