Dear Innovative Rec Therapist — 

🌼 Welcome to the May 2025 Issue of Rec Therapy Today!

Happy May! 🌟

Every day, you have the incredible opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of the people you serve. Through your creativity, compassion, and dedication, you bring hope, healing, and happiness to your clients — and that is something truly worth celebrating.

At Rec Therapy Today, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our mission is to inspire, encourage, and equip you with ideas, resources, and motivation so you can continue doing what you do best: changing lives through recreational therapy.

In this month’s issue, you’ll find:

• ✨ Featured Articles packed with insights and inspiration

• 🎨 Creative Activity Ideas to energize your sessions

• 📚 Book of the Month to spark your professional growth

• 🎲 Game of the Month to add some fun and purpose to your groups

• 🏆 Rec Therapist of the Month — be inspired by one of your peers!

• …and so much more!

Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom — we’re hosting another exciting monthly giveaway, and we don’t want you to miss out! (We love celebrating you.)

Thank you for being a part of the Rec Therapy Today community. Keep shining, keep creating, and keep making a difference. The world needs more people like you. 💛

Your friend and partner in Rec Therapy,

Danny W. Pettry II, M.Ed., M.S., LPC, NCC, CTRS-BHS

P.S. — Monthly giveaway is at bottom of this page, so you’ll have to scroll to the bottom. 

P.S.S. — Need CEUs? Go here: Click here for online self-study CEUs

Rec Therapy Today — TRUSTED by Rec Therapists Everywhere

How Does Rec Therapy Today CEUs program work? 

Special Spring 2025 CEU Bundle 

Get caught up (or get ahead!) with this special offer:

✅ January, February, March, and April CEU Catalogs
✅ 20 total courses
✅ Each course = 90 minutes 

Total Course Hours:

• 20 courses × 1.5 hours = 30 total hours

• 30 hours = 3.0 CEUs (Continuing Education Units)

Regular Pricing:

• Each monthly catalog bundle is $79.93

• 4 bundles × $79.93 = $319.72

Special May Offer:
Get all four months (20 courses, 3.0 CEUs) for only $197!
That’s a savings of over $120!

Hurry! This discount offer is only avaliable during the month of May 2025. Register now!

Inspiration for the Month

Download and share these graphics on your social media to prompte Rec Therapy! 

Humor for the Month

Infographics for the Month

Holidays and Observations

📅 May 2025 Holidays and Observances (U.S. and Canada)

• May 1 – May Day / International Workers’ Day (U.S. & Canada)

• May 5 – Cinco de Mayo (U.S.)

• May 5 – Red Dress Day (Canada – Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls)

• May 6 – National Nurses Day (U.S.)

• May 8 – National Student Nurses Day (U.S.)

• May 8 – World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day (International)

• May 11 – Mother’s Day (U.S. and Canada) (Second Sunday of May)

• May 12–18 – National Nursing Week (Canada)

• May 12–18 – National Hospital Week (U.S.)

• May 12–18 – National Skilled Nursing Care Week (U.S.)

• May 17 – International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (Global)

• May 18 – Armed Forces Day (U.S.) (Third Saturday of May)

• May 19 – Victoria Day (Canada) (Third Monday of May)

• May 20 – National Rescue Dog Day (U.S.)

• May 27 – Memorial Day (U.S.) (Last Monday of May)

🌟 Month-Long Observances (All May)

• Mental Health Awareness Month (U.S. and Canada)

• Military Appreciation Month (U.S.)

• Older Americans Month (U.S.)

• Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (U.S.)

• Asian Heritage Month (Canada)

• Speech and Hearing Month (Canada)

• Vision Health Month (Canada)

• National Physical Fitness and Sports Month (U.S.)

🛐 Special Weekly Observances (First Week of May)

• National Mental Health Awareness Week (U.S.)

• National Physical Fitness and Sports Week (U.S.)

Rec Therapy Today — CEU Reminders:

Email: Danny(at)DannyPettry.com to learn more about our group/ coporate CEU disocunts. 

Actiivty Ideas for the Month

1. 🌼 May Day Flower Craft

• Supplies Needed: Colored construction paper, scissors, glue, markers

• Instructions: Create paper flowers and assemble them into small “May baskets” to give to peers or staff.

• Benefits: Fine Motor Skills, Self-Expression, Social Interaction, Healthy Distraction

2. 🎉 Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Hat

• Supplies Needed: Paper plates, paint, markers, tissue paper, glue

• Instructions: Decorate a paper plate into a colorful Mexican-style sombrero to celebrate.

• Benefits: Fine Motor Skills, Self-Expression, Social Interaction, Cultural Awareness

3. 💚 Mental Health Awareness Gratitude Wall

• Supplies Needed: Poster board, sticky notes, pens

• Instructions: Participants write one thing they are grateful for on a sticky note and place it on the Gratitude Wall.

• Benefits: Emotional Wellness, Social Interaction, Cognitive/Intellectual, Healthy Distraction

4. 🐾 National Rescue Dog Day – DIY Dog Toys

• Supplies Needed: Old T-shirts, scissors

• Instructions: Cut old T-shirts into strips and braid them into chew toys to donate to a local shelter.

• Benefits: Fine Motor Skills, Social Interaction, Community Service, Healthy Distraction

5. 🌷 Mother’s Day Card-Making

• Supplies Needed: Blank cards, colored pens, stickers, stamps

• Instructions: Create personalized Mother’s Day cards for moms, grandmothers, or caregivers.

• Benefits: Fine Motor Skills, Self-Expression, Emotional Wellness, Healthy Distraction

6. 🏃‍♀️ National Physical Fitness Month Relay Race

• Supplies Needed: Cones, bean bags, stopwatch

• Instructions: Set up a simple relay race with fun challenges like balancing bean bags or hopping on one foot.

• Benefits: Physical Activity, Social Interaction, Team Building, Healthy Distraction

7. 📚 Asian Heritage Month Origami Workshop

• Supplies Needed: Origami paper, instructional sheets

• Instructions: Teach participants how to fold simple origami shapes like cranes or flowers.

• Benefits: Fine Motor Skills, Cognitive/Intellectual, Cultural Awareness, Self-Expression

8. 🎨 Victoria Day Firework Painting (Canada)

• Supplies Needed: Black construction paper, paint, cotton swabs

• Instructions: Create colorful “firework” effects by dabbing and streaking paint on black paper.

• Benefits: Fine Motor Skills, Self-Expression, Healthy Distraction, Creativity

9. 🪖 Memorial Day Remembrance Flags

• Supplies Needed: Small dowel rods, construction paper, markers

• Instructions: Create small American flags and write thank-you notes to veterans.

• Benefits: Fine Motor Skills, Social Interaction, Patriotic Reflection, Emotional Wellness

10. 🧠 Brain Teaser Tournament

• Supplies Needed: Puzzle books, printed brain teasers, pens

• Instructions: Organize a fun tournament where participants solve brain teasers for small prizes.

• Benefits: Cognitive/Intellectual, Social Interaction, Healthy Distraction, Confidence Boost

Featured Article of the Month

🌷 Honoring a Mother of Healing: Florence Nightingale and the Roots of Recreational Therapy 🌷

By: Danny W. Pettry II

In May, we celebrate Mother’s Day — a time to honor those who nurture, heal, and inspire. In the world of healing professions, few figures embody these qualities like Florence Nightingale, often called the “Mother of Modern Nursing.” Yet her legacy also quietly touches the field of recreational therapy.

During the Crimean War, Nightingale not only revolutionized patient care through hygiene and structure but also recognized the profound need for emotional and social healing. She introduced activity-based care, encouraging patients to engage in reading, writing letters, playing games, listening to music, and even tending to gardens. She understood that recovery was not just about treating the body — it was about uplifting the spirit.

Her belief that purposeful activity aids recovery laid an early foundation for what we now practice as recreational therapy.

Today, recreational therapists carry that same spirit forward: using activity, leisure, and meaningful engagement to heal the whole person — body, mind, and soul.

This May, as we celebrate mothers everywhere, let’s also honor Florence Nightingale — a true pioneer who taught us that care means more than cure.

Book of the Month

The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong

In The Emperor of Gladness, celebrated author Ocean Vuong offers readers a tender and deeply moving story about connection, memory, and the quiet work of healing.

The novel follows a 19-year-old boy who unexpectedly steps into the role of caregiver for an elderly woman living with dementia. Through this unexpected relationship, Vuong invites readers to witness the fragility of memory, the resilience of the human spirit, and the power of simple acts of kindness.

The boy’s journey is not just about providing care — it’s about learning how to be present, how to honor a life slowly slipping away, and how healing can happen in small, everyday moments. His patience, humor, and growing bond with the woman reveal the profound impact that companionship and meaningful engagement can have in the face of cognitive decline.

For recreational therapists, The Emperor of Gladness beautifully reflects many of the principles we hold dear:

• The importance of person-centered care

• The role of purposeful activity in maintaining dignity

• The belief that relationships are at the heart of healing

Vuong’s poetic storytelling reminds us that even when memories fade, human connection endures — and that sometimes, the greatest gift we can offer is simply our time, presence, and gladness.

Game of the Month

This May, we are excited to spotlight Molly House — a bold and beautifully designed game that brings history, identity, and community into the center of play.

Set in 18th-century England, Molly House invites players to step into the shoes of “mollies” — members of a secretive and vibrant LGBTQ+ subculture who gathered in safe spaces called molly houses. In the game, players must balance secrecy and expression: working together to form joyful connections while facing the dangers of being discovered in an oppressive society.

Why We Love It:

• 🧠 Cognitive Engagement: Players must strategize, plan, and adapt as the game unfolds.

• 🫶 Social Interaction: Strong cooperative and competitive elements encourage players to collaborate, negotiate, and share experiences.

• 🎭 Self-Expression: The characters and narratives celebrate identity, resilience, and the human need for belonging.

• 🌈 Emotional Reflection: Molly House reminds us of the importance of safe spaces and the strength it takes to live authentically.

Therapeutic Tie-In:
Molly House offers a unique platform to spark meaningful conversations about identity, community, acceptance, and resilience — themes that are deeply relevant to emotional and mental well-being, especially during Mental Health Awareness Month.

Game Basics:

• Players: 2–4

• Playtime: 60–90 minutes

• Genre: Historical Strategy / Social Play

Through careful strategy and heartfelt storytelling, Molly House offers more than just entertainment — it offers connection, empathy, and celebration of the human spirit.

Rec Therapist of the Month

Maria Miller

We are thrilled to celebrate Maria Miller, CTRS, as our May 2025 Rec Therapist of the Month! Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Maria holds a Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation (BTR) and is a proud Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. She is an active member of ATRA Alberta and the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association (CTRA), and she was honored with the Shine Award from NorQuest College during her TR studies.

Maria brings passion and versatility to her work across multiple settings, including acquired brain injury units, acute and forensic psychiatry, long-term care, and consulting for seniors’ health. She serves individuals aged 34 to 99, specializing in acquired brain injury, psychiatric care, and geriatric populations. Her interventions range from art therapy and active games to psycho-educational groups, sports, and leisure education.

Maria chose recreational therapy to be a positive, approachable presence in healthcare—someone patients are drawn to. She finds joy in learning from the people she serves and believes strongly in advocating for the growth of TR into new service areas, more credentials, and eventual regulation under the Health Professions Act.

Maria’s advice to new therapists? “Never be afraid to work in a new area, apply for opportunities to gain experience, and relocate if needed!” She also admires her colleague, Terry Neuman, a talented and compassionate recreational therapist who has been a true inspiration.

We are proud to recognize Maria for her dedication to the field and her commitment to advocacy, growth, and lifelong learning. Congratulations, Maria! 🌟

Featured Ted Talk for the Month

In this insightful talk, Jessica Maguire delves into the profound impact of play on our nervous system. She explains how engaging in playful activities can retrain our nervous system, particularly by stimulating the vagus nerve, which plays a crucial role in regulating stress responses. Maguire highlights the therapeutic potential of play in promoting emotional well-being and resilience. ​

This talk aligns perfectly with the themes of mental health awareness and the transformative power of recreational therapy. It underscores the importance of incorporating play into therapeutic practices to enhance mental health outcomes.

Danny Pettry’s Corner

I specialize in delivering engaging corporate training sessions that empower employees with essential skills. Teaching is not just my profession; it’s my passion! I’m thrilled to share that I’ve received fantastic feedback from participants, highlighting the effectiveness and enjoyment of my sessions.

Here are a few comments:

Well presented and engaging.

Danny made the group interesting;

kept eveyone involved in discussions.

Best training YEY! very interactive.

Kept it very intresting. 10/10.

Recent Blogposts 

• Why We Do What We Do: The Deeper Purpose of Recreational Therapy
• Focus on What’s Strong: A Strengths-Based Approach to Recreational Therapy
• Meeting Human Needs: Maslow’s Hierarchy and the Power of RT
• Healing through Leisure: How RT Supports People with Substance Use Disorders
• Get in the Game: An Overview of Adaptive Sports in Recreational Therapy
• Aging with Dignity: How Recreational Therapy Enriches the Lives of Older Adults
• Empowering Growth: How RT Helps People with Developmental Disabilities Thrive
• Unlocking Potential: How Recreational Therapy Supports People with Intellectual Disabilities
• Cultivating Resilience: How a Growth Mindset Transforms Therapeutic Practices
• Embracing Happiness: The Role of Positive Psychology in Recreational Therapy
• Why Recreational Therapists Are AI-Proof (And That’s a Good Thing)
• Embracing 45: 45 Lessons Learned at 45
• Being Teachable: The Path to Personal and Professional Growth
• Integrity in Recreational Therapy: Building Trust and Respect
• Cultivating a Growth Mindset: The Key to Continuous Learning
• The Power of Grit: Perseverance Over Perfection
• Harnessing Learned Optimism for a Brighter Future

Recent Rec Therapy YouTube Videos 

Fun Pages for All Ages

(Print for your Clients) 

April Winners

The following 16 people won a copy of Danny Pettry’s new book, Life is Brief:

• Ann Bobos

• Jeri Bailey

• Gina Schulz

• Heidi Barnes

• Lynn Elliott

• Julie Stark

• Diana Hastings

• Howard Berger

• Melanie Hunt

• Taylor Claus

• Phoenix Daniels

• Jessica Scrabeck

• Angelina Field

• Charlyn Davis-Hager

• Michelle Lynn Mosser

• Kimberly Schrader-Matthies

$10 Amazon Gift Card Winners:

Winners:

• Heidi Barnes

• Jeri Bailey

• Howard Berger

• Taylor Claus

Enter the May Giveaway

Win a Rec Therapy Today Frisbee!

We’re giving away 25 Rec Therapy Today Frisbees—perfect for outdoor fun, group games, or your therapy toolkit!

Each frisbee comes printed with our logo and a whole lot of Rec Therapy spirit!

 No purchase necessary
 Purchasing does not increase your chances of winning
 Open to all—everyone is welcome to enter
 Deadline: Enter before midnight on May 10th, 2025

P.S. Rec Therapy Today — CEU Opportunities