Our Team
At Advance Occupational Therapy Services in Medicine Hat, Alberta, we have been helping children reach their potential in
school, at home and in the community since 2006!
We love children and we bring a wealth of experience and education to best tailor our services to what your child needs.
We are the main OT providers for Medicine Hat Public School Division and provide some OT services for the
Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education and
Prairies Rose School Division.
We also serve several families through Family Supports for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) and through private services at home and in our 2000 square foot sensory gym (think adaptable playground)!
Occupational Therapist
Danielle Pluth
Hi! I am Danielle Pluth. I was born and raised in Medicine Hat and I love this community! I completed my degree in OT at the University of Alberta in 2002. I worked at the Medicine Hat Hospital in a variety of areas. In 2006 I saw the opportunity to provide OT services
to local school divisions and Advance OT was born.
I have passionately developed our role within the school division helping children develop their fine motor skills. In addition, I have extensively pursued post graduate education in sensory processing which has led to the classroom program of Good Sense, the development of Just Right Rooms in 13 schools and ongoing education and assistance to help teachers, parents and children with their sensory processing differences. I have completed my Sensory Integration and Praxis Test certification. I have continued my passion with opening a sensory clinic in 2014 in downtown Medicine Hat. Here we are able to treat children's sensory differences and progress their sensory motor skills increasing their confidence and potential.
I work hard to collaborate with my staff and the community to continue to meet the OT needs of the children, families and schools that we serve. It has been an honour to
have this opportunity and I continue to love this work!
Occupational Therapist
Ruth Isaac
Hi! I am Ruth Isaac and I am an OT who works with Advance OT. Originally I moved to Medicine Hat thinking I would spend 3 years max here, but I guess time flies when you are having fun as now I’ve been in Medicine Hat for 15 years!
I received my Masters of Occupational Therapy from the University of Manitoba in 2005. I have worked predominantly in Pediatrics, initially through Alberta Health Services, and then with the Advance OT team. I have received a broad range of post-secondary training in the area of Sensory Processing and have my Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) certification.
I am a dedicated and enthusiastic therapist who enjoys working with a variety of projects and strives to promote the profession of Occupational Therapy within the community. Key areas of interest for me are Handwriting skill development and Therapeutic Riding. Advance OT’s vision includes relationship building and I enjoy all the children, families, teaching staff and other professionals that I have had the pleasure to work with over the years!
Occupational Therapist
Tara Krasko
Hello! I'm Tara Krasko. I grew up in Shaunavon Saskatchewan. I then moved to Saskatoon and Edmonton for university. I graduated from university in 2005. Next, I made the move to Medicine Hat where I met my husband. We now have 2 lovely daughters and 1 amazing son. I love being a mom! I enjoy practicing all the Occupational Therapy techniques on my own children.
I worked in a variety of areas of OT with various ages over the years. I found my passion working with children. I particularly enjoy all the connections I get to make with children and the adults working with and caring for those children. I enjoy team collaboration and I am inspired by the work and ideas of others. Continuing education makes my very excited. I love learning about sensory processing, neurobiology, trauma, attachment, sleep....the list goes on. In 2014, I became a certified pediatric sleep consultant. I have also completed the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test Certification (SIPT) and the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Feeding course.
I feel so fortunate to work with the Advance OT team. The vision, work ethic, education, compassion and enthusiasm of this team is exceptional.
Occupational Therapist
Carly Trew
Hi! I’m Carly, an Occupational Therapist with Advance OT. I grew up in a hamlet in central Alberta, with a population about the same as our office. I never saw myself settling in a town, let alone a city, but here I am, happily putting down roots in Medicine Hat. I live on an acreage just outside of the city with my husband.
I joined the team 2 years ago, and have felt right at home since. I knew I wanted to become an OT in the 10th grade after a summer internship at the hospital. After one day with the OT I thought, “I want to be her!” She is so smart! So creative! So kind! She is never bored! She is changing lives. I wanted to change lives, too. I wanted a career I could be passionate about, excel in, and continuously grow with. I wanted to work with my hands, be creative, holistic, and mostly, I wanted to be able to help people. I wanted to be an OT.
Currently, I work in School District 76, serving children from ELP to grade 9. I also see children through Family and Support for Children with Disabilities in the community and our wonderful clinic space downtown. I continue to be an avid learner, absorbing all of the ingenious strategies from the team and signing up for every education opportunity that presents itself. When my OT hat comes off (a rarity), you’ll find me hiking, doing yoga, making jewelry for my small business, and spending time with my family and friends.
Occupational Therapist
Daniel McIntosh
Hi, my name is Daniel McIntosh. I moved to Medicine Hat in August of 2018
from Northwestern Ontario.
Occupational Therapy was not a clear path for me, I’ve only known that OT existed for the past 7 years of my life! I left high school to learn about environmental chemistry and worked in that field for several years before my passion for the human body drove me to go back to school for Kinesiology. It was there that I met my first Occupational Therapist working with Stroke patients, and as she explained more and more about OT and her career, I knew that it was something I needed to explore further.
After working at a clinic as a Kinesiologist helping individuals young and old learn about the muscles and movements of the body, I was accepted into OT school! 2 difficult years later, and here I am, serving the community of Medicine Hat, and what a joy it has been!
When I’m not working with kids, you can find me out with my dog, rollerblading or at the gym! I’ve really enjoyed my time in Medicine Hat exploring the nooks, crannies and larger favourites like Echo Dale and Elkwater!
Occupational Therapist
Gloria Chan
Hi! My name is Gloria Chan, and I am an Occupational Therapist at Advance OT. I grew up in Edmonton, but have spent most of my adult life in Ontario and Manitoba.
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I was first introduced to Occupational Therapy after seeing an array of finger splints that were created by an OT. I was fascinated by how each splint was intricately designed to meet the individual needs of the client. As I learned more about Occupational Therapy, I knew that I wanted to become an OT. I appreciated how holistic the profession was, how all aspects of a person’s life were accounted for, including their physical, social,
emotional, and psychological well-being.
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I graduated from the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program at the University of Manitoba. Through my schooling, I have gained experience in a variety of practice settings including Outpatient Stroke, Chronic Care, Winnipeg School Division, and Low Acuity Medicine. Although I had the opportunity to interact with clients of all ages, I always knew that I wanted to pursue a career in pediatrics.
Since joining the Advance OT Team, I have worked with preschool and school-aged children in the community and at the clinic. The most fulfilling part of being an OT has been seeing children develop in areas that were previously challenging for them.
In my spare time, I enjoy catching up with friends, watching Oilers games, and collecting memorabilia from my favourite TV/Movie franchises.
Occupational Therapist
Ruby Snow
Hi! I'm Ruby Snow, I recently moved to Medicine Hat this past summer (2021) and I am very excited to be joining the Advance OT team. I grew up on a farm in Milk River, AB and then spent about 7 years in Edmonton at the University of Alberta.
After finishing my Degree in Occupational Therapy, I moved to Lethbridge where I spent the last 1.5 years working with school aged kids in several different school divisions.
I wanted to become an OT after attending an information session about it during my second year of university. Before that I had honestly never heard of an OT. I enjoyed learning about how OT's work in so many diverse fields and how much variety it offers on an everyday basis. It sounded like a career that would never become boring and so far that definitely has been true! I also don't think I have yet met an OT who does not like their job which was reassuring as I made my journey to become an Occupational Therapist.
When I am not at work, you can find me walking one or both of my dogs, hiking in Elkwater or exploring and becoming familiar with this new city!
Occupational Therapist
Renee Anderson
Hi, I am Renee Anderson and I graduated with an Occupational Therapist Assistant diploma as part of the second ever grad class from the Therapy Assistant Program at MHC in 1996. I started off my career in geriatrics, first as a Recreational Therapist Assistant, then working in a nursing home and on the surgical and rehabilitation units at the hospital before taking an extended maternity leave.
After enjoying seven years as a stay at home mom to my two boys, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to accept the invitation to join the Advance OT team. I have enjoyed learning and growing in this role since 2013, including the opportunities to train in Therapeutic Listening, Astronaut Training, Core Connections and learning about primitive reflexes and how they affect every day life. I also have a particular interest in trauma and how it impacts the children I work with.
Outside of work, I enjoy cooking (from scratch!) for my family, including my husband of 20 years, and will never turn down an evening of hosting dinner and playing a good board game with my friends and family.
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Joanna Mytton
Hi, my name is Joanna Mytton. I am an Occupational Therapy Assistant. I am originally from Eatonia, Saskatchewan but have called Medicine Hat my home for the last 14 years.
I received my Therapy Assistant diploma from the Medicine Hat College, then worked for Advance Occupational Therapy for 1 year. I then decided to further my education in the helping profession and received a diploma in Social Work. I was able to work with adults who had special needs and developmental disabilities.
A chance run in with Danielle Pluth at Canadian Tire one day brought me back to the world of Occupational Therapy and the wonderful company that I work for, that I have since been with for 5 years.
Pediatric Occupational Therapy has always been a nice melting pot of my passions which was helping others and working with children. I work solely in the Community sites which consist of the preschools and daycares throughout the city.
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Outside of work I spend most of my time with my husband and two young children. I also enjoy spending time with friends whether that be going for coffee, walks, or Sushi!
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Megan Schorr
My name is Megan Schorr and I graduated with honors from the Physical/Occupational Therapist Assistant program at Medicine Hat College in 2018. I joined the Advance OT team January 2019.
I have a passion for working with children and I strive to make sessions enjoyable through creative, imaginative, and active play. I love to learn and look forward to further my knowledge in this field by taking additional courses whenever I am able.
Outside of work, I love to spend most of my free time with my two wonderful children and husband either at home or travelling when w can.
©2017 BY ADVANCE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES. P: 403-528-2037
Email: Contact@AdvanceOT.ca
