MEET OUR TEAM

Larry M. Zier, OTD, OTR/L
Some describe their work as a calling, an unexplainable pull to a particular field of interest, or at the very least, an overwhelming desire to make a difference. For Larry, it happened well into a career in business. Its impact was so great that he changed careers, returning to school to work with children in an area that is little understood and certainly underserved.

Larry Zier, OTD, OTR/L, earned his clinical doctorate degree from Creighton University. He has received training in the areas of sensory integration, the DIR/Floortime approach, and therapeutic listening, and holds a Profectum DIR certification. Larry was inspired to become an occupational therapist to create a more relationship-based option for parents and have an opportunity to offer an alternative to power and control.

His passion is working with children and helping them to achieve their highest potential physically, emotionally, and socially. His approach is to treat each child as an individual, always keeping in mind their unique strengths and differences. He strongly believes in the role of family involvement, as well as collaboration with caregivers, teachers, and other professionals, as integral to a child’s growth and overall success. Larry enjoys work on all aspects of family and child development – motor system, sensory system, emotion system, and then tying them all together in dynamic experiences.

Larry and his wife, Peggy are from Omaha, NE, and have four children. Along with his family, he enjoys running, biking, yoga, boxing, and anything that will get him outside. If he wasn’t an OT, we’d probably find Larry restoring wooden boats in Michigan.

   Larry M. Zier, OTD, OTR/L

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Emilee Hunter-Maguire, OTD, OTR/L
Emilee was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, and moved to Omaha to attend Creighton University in 2010. Emilee earned her bachelor’s degree of psychology in 2014, worked for Creighton Campus Ministry and towards her Master’s of Theology in 2015, and graduated from Creighton’s Occupational Therapy program in 2018–a true blue jay! She also holds a Profectum DIR/Floortime level 1 certification. Prior to coming to Zier Institute, Emilee worked with Amy Zier + Associates abroad in Italy.

Emilee is (almost) a 300hr certified yoga instructor, certified in Children’s yoga, and has completed seminar I of John Barnes’ myofascial release training. She teaches yoga in the Omaha area. Her specific areas of research include animal-assisted therapy, time management skills, and a case study where yoga was used as the primary intervention in a child with anxiety. Emilee incorporates several principles of yoga into most of her OT sessions with clients at the Zier Institute.

In her work as an OT at Zier Institute, she’s inspired by meeting people where they’re at and joining them in building a better life, whatever that means for them! Emilee thrives in Zier Institute’s clinic environment as it’s a space for everybody–kids and adults alike. She also thinks she has the best co-workers in the world. Right back at you, Emilee

Emilee grew up in Lincoln, NE. She counts among her defining experiences the summers she spent as a camp counselor, supporting children and teens in meeting their personal goals. She was inspired to become a pediatric occupational therapist because of the comprehensive approach to mind, body, and spirit–and loves that there are so many different settings and populations! 

Emilee enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, Zeus. She also enjoys reading, cooking, playing games (board games and cards are her favorites!), and soaking up the sun with 50+ SPF! 

  Emilee Hunter-Maguire, OTD, OTR/L

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Theresa Kennelly, OTD, OTR/L

  Theresa Kennelly, OTD, OTR/L

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