Carolyn Andrews, MOT, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist


Carolyn is the owner of Children's Choice For Therapy. She has a Bachelor's degree in Special Education from the University of South Florida . Carolyn taught learning disabled students here in the Hillsborough County School System for four years. She then went on to pursue a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from Nova Southeastern University .

Carolyn specializes in the area of sensory integration and is Sensory Integration and Praxis Test Certified . Her knowledge in this area is extensive and she enjoys attending conferences in order to keep current on the subject. Carolyn has attended numerous conferences some of which include: “How Does Your Engine Run”, “Sensory Integration for those with Developmental, Learning Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders and Dyspraxia”, “Sensory Defensiveness and Related Social/Emotional and Neurological Problems by the Wilbargers:, "Practical Sense in Sensory Integration”, "Advanced Practical Sense in Sensory Integration”, "Sensory Integration Intervention in Autism”, “Handwriting Without Tears”, "Hints for Horrible Handwriting”, “From Eyesight to Insight: Visual/Vestibular Assessment & Treatment”, “Clinical Assessment and Practical Interventions for Praxis”. Because of her strong background in sensory integration, Carolyn especially enjoys working with children on the autistic spectrum.

Carolyn is also certified in Therapeutic Listening . She has attended “Listening With The Whole Body” which provides her access to Modulation and Somonas CD's as well as “Advanced Listening With The Whole Body” which are the Fine Tuning CD's. Carolyn is also a certified Interactive Metronome provider.

Carolyn evaluates and treats children in the office on a daily basis. Carolyn is a certified RDI Consultant. RDI (Relationship Development Intervention) is a developmental program that focuses on the remediation of autism.



Andrea Kelley Walter, MS, CCC-SLP
Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist


 




In Loving Memory of Carolyn Bentley -
Pediatric Occupational Therapist:
October 9, 1960-September 5, 2015


Carolyn graduated from Eastern Kentucky University. Her professional interests included working with children with sensory processing disorder especially those on the autistic spectrum. Carolyn was a part of the Children’s Choice for Therapy team from January of 2009 until her passing in September 2015. She will forever be in our hearts and always a member of our therapy team!!!!



Rachel Fisher Sauve, M.A., CCC-SLP
Pediatric Speech-Language Therapist


Rachel received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Florida. She continued her education as a Gator, earning her Masters in Speech-Language Pathology from UF as well. Before coming on board at Children’s Choice, Rachel completed her clinical externship at Shands Hospital, specifically at the Speech and Hearing Clinic and at Magnolia Parke, an outpatient rehabilitation center for children. Her other clinical experiences have ranged from private practice to a residential community for developmentally disabled adults. Rachel has experience working with children with apraxia, hearing impairment/cochlear implants, Autism Spectrum Disorders, cleft lip/palate, and language delay.

In June of 2009, Rachel moved to the Tampa Bay area. She spends her time hanging out with her family and friends, keeping up with Gator football, reading, and enjoying as much of the beautiful Florida sunshine as possible!


Maria Sarantis, MS, CCC-SLP
Pediatric Speech/Language Pathologist


Maria received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of South Florida, in 1997. She received her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Mississippi University for Women in the Spring of 1999. Her professional interests include language delay, fluency, articulation disorders, Down Syndrome and dementia.

Prior to joining Children's Choice for Therapy Maria has worked in the school setting as a K-12 therapist and Pre-K diagnostician, in a geriatric setting at a Skilled Nursing Facility, privately in the home and preschool setting and provided PRN services for one of All Children's Hospitals outpatient facilities.


Britny Went Leaf, M.S., OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist


Britny was born and raised in Tampa, Fl. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Community Health and her Masters of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, FL. Britny has had the opportunity to gain experience in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, school systems, and outpatient pediatric clinics in the Fort Myers and Tampa Bay areas. She enjoys working with children of all ages with developmental delay, Autism Spectrum disorders, and sensory integration dysfunction.


Dylan Jacobs, MOT, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist


Dylan received both his bachelor’s degree in health sciences and his master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Florida (Go Gators!). Dylan has had the opportunity to gain experience in a variety of settings including a local outpatient pediatric clinic, outpatient rehab at the VA Bay Pines, and a hand therapy clinic in Clemson, SC. Pediatrics is where he has found his home; he loves the creativity it allows and the opportunity to positively impact many lives!

Dylan enjoys books, nature, dancing, and Star Wars.


Melanie Pacetti, B.A., SLP-A
Pediatric Speech/Language Pathology Assistant


Melanie received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Disorders and Deaf Education from Utah State University in 2015. Prior to that she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Central Florida in 1997. Before joining Children's Choice for Therapy in 2018, Melanie worked as a Preschool teacher in Pinellas County for 8 years. She enjoys working with children of all ages.

In her free time, Melanie enjoys spending time with her husband and three boys, exercising and watching sports.


Vivian Lee, MOT, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist


Vivian is a Tampa native and received her B.S. degree in Biomedical Sciences at the University of South Florida and then went on to pursue her Master’s degree in occupational therapy at Nova Southeastern University. She has had the opportunity to work in a variety of clinical settings including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, schools, and outpatient hand therapy. Pediatrics is the reason Vivian entered the field of Occupational Therapy and enjoys working with children of all ages to reach their goals and to live fulfilling lives.

In her free time she enjoys painting and drawing, spending time with her family and pets, and trying out new restaurants with friends.


Maria del mar Rivera, MS, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist


Maria was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She has a Bachelor’s degree in General Sciences and her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Puerto Rico. Maria specializes in the area of sensory integration and is also certified in Therapeutic Listening. She has had the opportunity to gain experience in a variety of settings such as school systems and outpatient pediatric clinics in both Puerto Rico and Tampa. She enjoys working with children of all ages with developmental delay, autism spectrum disorders, and sensory integration dysfunction. Maria especially finds satisfaction in helping them achieve their greatest potential.

During her free time, Maria enjoys running, traveling, going to the beach, watching football and spending time with her two daughters and husband. Maria is bilingual-Spanish and English.


Monica Yap, M.S., CCC-SLP
Pediatric Speech/Language Pathologist


Monica received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of South Florida in 2019. She continued at USF to receive her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2021. Before joining the team at Children’s Choice, Monica completed her clinical externships in pediatric outpatient and adult/geriatric outpatient rehab centers as well as acute care. Monica loves working with the pediatric population with the goal to make children confident in their communication abilities.

In her free time, Monica enjoys playing with her new puppy, checking out cool restaurants with friends, cheering for the Tampa Bay sports teams (Go Bolts! Go Bucs!) and making weekend getaways to amusement parks and beaches!!


Abbigail Brown, M.S., CCC-SLP
Pediatric Speech/Language Pathologist


Abby received her bachelor’s degree in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2019. (Go Vols!!) She moved to the Tampa Bay area to pursue her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and graduated from Gannon University. Before joining the team at Children’s Choice, Abby had experience in various clinic settings including schools, private practice, prescribed pediatric extended care (PPEC) center, home health, and a community support center. Although the majority of her experience has been with babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children; she also has experience working with adults with aphasia. Abby specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of speech, language, and feeding disorders. She is especially interested in working with children with a variety of disabilities and complex medical diagnoses. Abby believes in providing empathetic care utilizing evidence-based treatment and education to all clients, family, and caregivers.

In her free time, Abby enjoys going to the beach, drinking coffee, reading, and checking out cool new restaurants in the Tampa Bay area.


Allie Hendry, OTD, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist


Allie was born and raised in Tampa. She has a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of Mississippi (Hotty Toddy!) and her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Before joining Children’s Choice, Allie gained experience in inpatient rehabilitation, specifically Spinal Cord injuries and pediatric Hippotherapy. She completed her doctorate project on Service Dogs and how they can assist Veterans with PTSD. Allie loves working with the pediatric population, adapting children’s environments to promote success in everyday activities!

In her free time, Allie also coaches rowing at a local high school. She enjoys reading, watching movies, and hanging out with her dog.


Morgan Calzon, M.S., OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist


Morgan received her bachelor’s degree in health science at the University of Florida, followed by the attainment of her Master of Science in occupational therapy from Florida Gulf Coast University. Morgan has experience in various fields of occupational therapy including outpatient pediatrics, inpatient pediatrics, acute care, and outpatient neurological rehabilitation. Her passion lies in the field of pediatrics, where she dedicates herself to assisting kids achieve their unique goals and reach their full potential.

In her free time, Morgan enjoys reading books by the beach, traveling, cheering on the Florida Gators football, and spending time with friends and family!


Lindsay Goldring, CFY, SLP
Pediatric Speech/Language Pathologist


Lindsay received her Bachelor’s degree in Family and Child Sciences from Florida State University in 2020. She continued her education by earning her Master’s in Speech Language Pathology from the University of South Florida in 2023. Lindsay has experience working with pediatric and adult/geriatric populations in many settings, including outpatient clinics, preschools, elementary schools, and in acute care. She has always loved working with pediatric populations, and wants to make a difference in the children’s lives she works with!

In her free time, Lindsay loves to explore new Tampa Bay restaurants, spend time outside (beach, hiking, anything!), checking out coffee shops, and spending time with her friends!


Jasmine Lopez, OTD, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist


Jasmine received her bachelor’s in Applied Nutrition from the University of Delaware and her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Nova Southeastern University where she continues to teach. Jasmine’s doctoral capstone project was beginning a program to provide occupational therapy services to children currently in foster care where she continues to support that program. Jasmine also has completed her certificate in Sensory Integration from the University of Southern California.

Jasmine loves all things Disney, music, dogs, and the beach.


Abby Viglia, M.S., CCC-SLP
Pediatric Speech/Language Pathologist


Abby received her bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders at Eastern Illinois University and her master’s degree in speech language pathology at Governors State University. Once her clinical fellowship year was completed in Chicago, Illinois; Abby decided to move down to Tampa, Florida for some sunshine in her life!

Before Children’s Choice for Therapy, Abby had experience working in various clinic settings and school settings. Although Abby has had experience working with a variety of populations ranging from ages 2-21; her love for children and play based therapy within natural environments is her passion!

In her free time, Abby enjoys yoga, exploring countries, going to farmers markets, and playing with her daughter Lilah!


Children's Choice For Therapy
Veterans Professional Center
6924 W Linebaugh Ave • Tampa, FL 33625
(813) 962-6766