Submitted Photo Minot Center for Pediatric Therapy team members, from left, are Cassie Sheppard, Lauren Anderson, Nichole Brunner, Summer van Rooyen, Taylee Hertz, Mackenzie Bachmeier, Kylee Geer, Annie Miller, Geena Schmidt, Kelsey Ziegler and Jessica Braunberger. 

Minot Center for Pediatric Therapy is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with appreciation events next week.

Hitchin’ Kitchen will be in the center’s parking lot at 2201 36th Ave. SW, serving lunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Throughout the week, the center will be giving away school supplies and cookies from Cookie Crumbs and will have drawings for prizes for children who attend therapy at the clinic. 

MCPT opened in August 2012 as a solo practice, operating in the Main Medical building in downtown Minot. The clinic has been in its current space for almost five years. 

The team and clinic space have grown over the years, but owner and speech-language pathologist Kylee Geer said she is most proud of how staff’s understanding of how to support children with special needs and complex medical issues has grown.

The clinic sees children from birth to age 21. Many of the children have a medical diagnosis, such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, developmental delays, sensory processing disorders, traumatic brain injuries, feeding disorders, history of trauma and vision or hearing deficits. 

MCPT has a team of six speech language pathologists, three occupational therapists and two office assistants. The team provides speech-language therapy, occupational therapy and feeding therapy. They help children learn to communicate effectively with others, complete everyday tasks such as dressing and hygiene, manage emotions and behaviors and learn social skills for interacting with peers.

Some team members have been with the clinic for much of its history. Speech-language pathologist Cassie Sheppard has been with MCPT for eight years, speech-language pathologist Mackenzie Bachmeier just celebrated six years, and occupational therapists Summer van Rooyen and Lauren Anderson will soon have their five-year work anniversaries. 

“Our team is what makes our clinic successful,” Geer said. “We really focus on extending our support for children beyond their time at our clinic. We support local programs such as Bio Girls, the Sertoma T-ball league, Minot Public Schools and Hello Sunshine Ice Cream & Books. We host the Minot Walk for Autism and our annual event, Bloom, a night which brings mothers of individuals with disabilities together.

“I enjoy working with children with disabilities and finding ways for everyone to feel included,” she added. “When families feel like they are seen and included, they may feel more at ease participating in community events and seeking out other services our area offers.”