Julie Sandvig, OTD, OTR/L

Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy

Saint Gianna School of Health Sciences

About Me

I am a native North Dakotan and have been blessed to found a career working with people of all ages as an occupational therapist. I am passionate about helping others gain confidence and independence. Thorough my experience having fieldwork students learn from me as their clinical educator, I realized teaching was another passion of mine. I love seeing students understand concepts and apply them when working with individuals in our community through fieldwork and clinical opportunities. My passion is pediatrics, but I've truly enjoyed all age groups to work with, especially incorporating animals into my practice.

Why I’m At Mary

After spending the beginning of my occupational therapy in Washington State to expand my horizons, I was a travel therapist. That career choice brought me to Florida, California, and the East Cost for short term job opportunities. Through that experience, I realized my roots were on the prairie in North Dakota. There is something so special about the kindness of people in the Midwest. Mary was the obvious choice for transitioning into academia due to their strong commitment to their mission and passion for service. The partnerships in the community I've been able to form have grown my professional skills and have nurtured my passion for serving others.

Expertise

I have ten years of experience as an occupational therapist, primarily in the pediatric setting, but I have diverse experience in all age groups. I have certifications in the AEIOU Pediatric Feeding Approach, the MRNI Maximizing Brain Potential Approach, LSVT BIG Treatment for Individuals with Parkinson's Disease, Herman and Wallace Pediatric Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation, and Natural Lifemanship-an Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Treatment. I have additional education in Sensory Integration treatments and Neuro-Developmental Treatment Approaches.

2021 — “Effects of Mindfulness Group on Anxiety and Quality of Life in Elementary Aged Students in the Upper Midwest,” [Poster}. NDOTA, Bismarck, ND. 2021 — “Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy,” NDOTA Webinar.
2020 — “The Impact of Experiential Learning in a Pro Bono OT Clinic on Clinical Reasoning Development,” AOTA Education Summit.
2019 — “Travel Occupational Therapy,” Pi Theta Epsilon Student Lead Conference.
2018 — “Therapeutic Riding: An Occupational Therapy Perspective, ” Therapeutic Riding for Heart and Soul PATH Certification Workshop, Bismarck, ND. 2017 — “Therapeutic Riding for the Heart and Soul,” 2nd Annual North Dakota Power Up Health Conference, Bismarck, ND.
2013 — “Structured Group Activities for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities In a Day Program: Effect on Engagement and Affect,” [Poster]. American Occupational Therapy Association National Conference Poster Presentation, San Diego, CA.

Education

DOT: University of Saint Augustine School of Health Sciences, 2018
MS (Occupational Therapy): University of Mary, 2011

Feature Content

Using animals to help individuals is a passion of mine. I have a certified volunteer therapy dog through Love on a Leash that I enjoy taking to nursing homes and other service opportunities. Violet visits my students on campus often, and the positive effect she has on them is easily seen. I also am doing research on utilizing concepts of Natural Lifemanship that use the connection individuals have with horses to heal their trauma. My students and I have worked with a group of adolescents who have experienced trauma, using the horses and expertise from a non-profit therapeutic riding facility TR for Heart and Soul.

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”-Anatole France.