Team Members

Lead Occupational Therapist

Facility Dog

Nevada is a 7 year old golden retriever/black lab mix who joined Exceptional Children's Center Team as a facility dog in December 2021. He was formally trained by Canine Companions for Independence and chose to work with Jennifer Dickson as a Facility dog in 2019. He loves working with children with special needs. He was specially trained to complete tasks and follow commands to help motivate the children and maximize their treatment. He has worked in a hospital setting and an outpatient setting completing tasks such as providing deep pressure in a hospital bed, holding string while children string beads, pulling scooters down the hallway, holding and picking things up and overall providing motivation and emotional support for all those who work with him. He also helps out with community events such as T-ball and soccer for increased participation and increase social skills. He loves peanut butter, green beans and sneaking treats when he can. His all time favorite thing to do is take naps and you can often see him sleeping on his bed in the OT office when he is not helping a friend.