2025 ATRA Annual Conference – Session Descriptions
October 18–20, 2025 | San Antonio, TX
The following is the Session Descriptions for the 2025 ATRA Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX. All sessions, times, and presenter information have been confirmed, though final adjustments may occur due to unforeseen circumstances onsite.
For a visual Calendar view, please visit: Schedule at a Glance
For information on our Bonus Day at Morgan's Sports on Friday October 17th, please visit: ATRA San Antonio Bonus Day: Morgan's Sports
Continuing Education (CEUs):
NCTRC approval is currently pending. Please check back for updates prior to the conference.
Note: Poster presentations may be eligible for CEUs in 2025. Final determinations will be reflected once CEU approvals are finalized.
For questions related to specialty certification areas, please refer to the PDF version of the program for designation icons and CEU-eligible sessions.
Code of Conduct:
All attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and guests are expected to uphold the ATRA Conference Code of Conduct.
To review the Code, view it here.
Note on Non-ATRA Activities:
Please note that any events or activities not listed in the official ATRA San Antonio program are independently organized and not affiliated or sponsored by ATRA. ATRA is not responsible for independently coordinated events, meetups or activities not articulated in this program. Individuals interested in non-ATRA sponsored activities should contact their respective organizations directly for details.
Research Institute 3
Session Description
Research Institute 3 contains the following research oral presentations and researchers:
1. "Impact of a Robotic Pets Intervention on Engagement and Mood in Older Adults with Differing Cognitive Skills"
Researchers: Rhonda Nelson Ph.D., MTRS, CTRS, FDRT, Lauren Bade TRS, CTRS, Bailey Palmer, RT Student
2. "Health Benefits of Immersive VR Tai Chi for Rural Older Adults: A Qualitative Study"
Researchers: Jaehyun KimPhD, LRT, CTRS, Yongseop Kim PhD, CTRS, Junhyoung Kimactions PhD, CTRS, CHUNG SUP LEE PhD, CTRS
3. "Adaptive Riding: Improving Function to Prevent Falls in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease and other Neurological Conditions"
Researchers: Betsy Kemeny, PhD, CTRS, Whitney Angelini PT, DPT, CTRI, Chase Elizabeth Decker RT student (will be CTRS by time of conference), Emma Lemire, RT student, Alyssa Snyder RT Student
Each oral presentation will last 15-20 minutes followed by a cumulative facilitated Q&A at the end of the session.
Learning Outcomes
1. Identify evidence-based outcomes of technology-assisted and animal-assisted interventions for older adults and individuals with neurological conditions.
2. Describe research findings on mood, engagement, and fall prevention in RT interventions using robotic pets, virtual reality, and adaptive riding.
3. Explain how to assess, adapt, and implement innovative RT interventions for diverse populations in clinical and community-based settings.
Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply
Community
Military/Veterans
Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine
Research
Target Audience
New Graduates/New Professionals
Educators/Researchers
Mid-Career Professionals
Seasoned Professionals