Our team
Chris Dove
Chris Dove graduated from Scotch College in 1994 and UWA in 1997, with majors in Anatomy and Human Biology and Anthropology. He entered Curtin University in 1999 as an undergraduate of Occupational Therapy. Since graduating with honours in 2002 he has worked in Perth as a private occupational therapist specialising in paediatrics.
Chris Dove has had 20 years experience in private paediatric practice. He works at a number of schools, has implemented a pilot visual processing program with the Punmu comumunity, in the north of Western Australia, and is involved in contractual work with the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia.
Chris is a member of OT Registration Board, a member of OT Australia WA and has fulfilled working with children, and national police clearance requirements.
Originally in Subiaco and now located in Nedlands, the practice focuses on the positive development of children in learning, movement and psychosocial domains. Incorporating the individual strengths of children is fundamental to intervention and the enjoyment of learning.
Melissa Dove
Melissa Dove graduated from Curtin University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. Since this time she has worked predominantly in Paediatrics with five years experience in the Child Development Service (WA Health Department) and subsequent years in private practice. This has provided her with a vast range of experience working with children and their families.
Melissa travelled to Key Largo, Florida, U.S.A in 2008 to participate in a specialised paediatric program. She strongly believes in evidence based practices and a commitment to professional development.
Melissa took a pause professionally to raise her family, three young boys, however she has resumed working part time. Passionate about working with children and early intervention Melissa is excited to be offering specific programs for 3, 4 and 5 year olds.
Melissa has fulfilled working with children and national police clearance requirements. Melissa is fully registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
Shae Drayton
Shae Drayton graduated from Curtin University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy with honours. Shae’s honours thesis was written on ‘Exploring the physical activity preferences of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder’. She joined the team at Dove OT in January 2021.
Since graduating Shae has continued her passion in paediatrics, working with children from 3-17 years. Shae strives to work with the child’s interests, whilst meeting occupational therapy goals. Shae offers personally developed programs for executive functioning, emotional regulation, sensory processing, and attention control.
Shae is knowledgeable in conducting assessments, writing up intervention programs and running school holiday groups within our practice and at schools.
Shae is a member of the OT Association and has fulfilled her working with children’s check, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency registration and first aid qualifications.
Abby Brierly
Abby Brierly completed her Master of Occupational Therapy degree at Curtin University. Prior to this, Abby completed her Bachelor of Health Sciences (majoring in forensics and psychology) in Melbourne.
Abby enjoys creating engaging therapy sessions for 3–17-year-olds. Abby focuses on incorporating the interests of the client to work towards achieving their goals. Abby offers individual intervention sessions focusing on fine and gross motor development, executive functioning, attention, sensory and emotional regulation, as well as social skills.
In addition to individual intervention sessions, Abby will be running the social skills group throughout the term as well as the holiday group programs targeting school readiness and social skills.
Abby is a member of the OT Association and is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. She has also fulfilled her working with children check and first aid qualifications.
Meg Pope
Megan Pope graduated from Curtin University with a Master’s in Occupational Therapy. Meg’s undergraduate degree was a Bachelor of Health Science in Exercise, Sports, and Rehabilitation Science.
Meg strives to increase her knowledge and skills to provide clients with evidence-based practice. She is passionate about creating engaging and playful sessions for her clients. Meg offers individualised programs that target the development of handwriting skills, gross motor skills, executive functioning skills, attentional control, sensory/emotional regulation and social skills. Meg is experienced in running both our term-based and school holiday groups that target school and social skills.
Meg is a member of the OT Association and has fulfilled her working with children’s check, Australia Health Practitioner Regulation Agency registration, and first aid qualifications.
Sydney Rafferty
Sydney graduated from Curtin University with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy with Honours. Since graduating she has worked closely with NDIS participants and their family members to assist them in achieving their NDIS goals within a not-for-profit setting, and has now joined the team at Dove OT in June 2024.
Since graduating Sydney has worked with clients from the ages of 2-18 years of age and is passionate about creating engaging sessions that work towards individuals and family goals. Sydney offers individualised programs targeting attentional control, sensory processing, emotional awareness/regulation skills, fine and gross motor skill development, executive functioning and social skills that implement client’s interests. In addition to individual intervention sessions, Sydney will also be running holiday groups targeting social skills and school readiness.
Sydney has fulfilled working with children and national police clearance requirements and first aid qualifications. Sydney is fully registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
Tyler Hughes
Tyler has been with our clinic since April 2024 and is a second-year Occupational Therapy student at Curtin University. Tyler is our first point of call for all things admin and our OT assistant.
Tyler’s background includes 2 years of a teaching degree, has previously worked as a support worker for children aged 5-18 years old and an OT assistant in early intervention for 2-9 year olds.
Tyler has previously supported children with a range of ASD levels, developmental delays, speech delays, ADD, ADHD, PDA and non-verbal. Her expertise as an OT assistant in the early intervention space includes supporting children and their families with emotional regulation, social skills, play skills, self-care skills, cognitive, fine/gross motor, coordination, toileting and speech skills.
An OT Assistant is a great opportunity for OT at a lower rate or a faster way to seek intervention whilst on our waitlist. Your child's OT program is formulated and supervised by a Senior Occupational Therapist and then implemented by Tyler.