The Vision Therapy Canada (VTC) Therapist Committee is delighted to represent the Canadian Therapist Membership within VTC. Below please find some information on the Therapist Committee Members and details on the programs that are currently running. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions or would like to volunteer.
Who we are
Our committee was founded in 2017 by three eager PVTAP graduates with the intentions to propel the therapist’s voice throughout our Vision Therapy Community. The role of the committee is to liaison and collaborate with the VTC board on matters of interest to Canadian Therapists. With the full support from the VTC Board of Directors, we set out on a journey to create opportunities for therapists to have a larger role, in not only the Practical Vision Therapists Accreditation Program (PVTAP), but also to fill certain niches that we believe Canadian Therapists can make a significant contribution to. The committee is involved in many ways with programs under the VTC umbrella such as the: PVTAP program, education planning and the AGM. We are proud of our current initiatives which include: the Therapist Mentorship Program, the PVTAP Workshop Facilitator role and PVTAP Marking Committee, as well as Online Workshop facilitation. These programs highlight the skills and talents of Canadian vision therapists and provide opportunities to contribute to the association and growth in the field.
Resources
- Application for PVTAP Workshop Positions
- Webinar Instructor Application
- Marketing Committee Application
Current Programs and Positions
PVTAP Mentorship Program: We had the great pleasure of introducing the Mentorship Program to the therapist community in 2018. This is a great opportunity to foster relationships through the community and allow for 1:1 mentorship through PVTAP and your career! Email us for your mentorship pairing today!
PVTAP Workshop Facilitator: What could be better that sharing your knowledge with others who are just as excited as you are to help individuals through VT?! Being a workshop facilitator allows PVTAP graduates to help the next generation of new vision therapists - through activities and experiences in their own VT clinics - to understand big concepts that are imperative to Vision.
PVTAP Marking Committee: Working closely with the VTC Education committee, PVTAP graduates can participate in marking assignments during the PVTAP course and give feedback to augment the lessons of the curriculum.
Webinar Instructor: Hosting a presentation to share a novel idea or an interesting case report can have profound effect on another’s knowledge. PVTAP graduates are invited to share an experience or idea to facilitate continuing education amongst the VT community.
Volunteer Positions including roles for AGM organization and registration, Therapist Panel Discussion at AGM, and many more!
Meet your current committee members
Debra Holtzhauer, BA, CCOA, PVT, COEP-T, COVT, Director of Therapist Relations, Vision Therapy Canada
Debra is a certified vision therapist and the Director of Therapist Relations for Vision Therapy Canada. She was awarded the OEPF Star Award for Excellence in Behavioral Optometry at the 2024 International Congress of Behavioral Optometry. Debra brings extensive experience in neuro-optometric rehabilitation through her leadership roles at multiple clinics. She is passionate about mentoring developing therapists, advancing clinical education, and strengthening professional standards across Canada.
She actively fosters interdisciplinary collaboration through partnerships with allied health professionals and researchers, including those at the University of Waterloo. Debra is currently completing her MSc in Neuroscience with the University of Warwick, integrating research and evidence-based practice into her clinical and organizational work.
Outside of work, Debra enjoys fitness, hiking, and spending time with her family.
Emma Thomson, PVT
Emma is a Vision Therapist at Polaris Eye Care with a genuine passion for helping patients of all ages reach their vision-related goals. Since completing PVTAP in 2023, she continues to grow her knowledge through ongoing courses and workshops. With experience in neurodevelopmental movement (NDM) therapy and a special interest in working with children and brain injury patients, Emma brings patience, empathy, and creativity to every session.
She joined the Vision Therapy Canada Therapist Committee to become more involved in the vision therapy community and to help spread awareness of its life-changing impact. Emma is excited to collaborate with other therapists, share ideas, and contribute to advancing vision therapy across Canada.
Nicole Little, PVT
Nicole works as a Vision Therapist at The Vision Development Centre in St. John’s, Newfoundland. She received her PVTAP designation in 2024. With a background in disability support and childcare, and as a neurodivergent person, Nicole offers a unique perspective and has a desire to make vision therapy fun and engaging for her patients.
A self-described lifelong learner, Nicole is currently studying ASL so that she can communicate more effectively with patients who are a part of the deaf community. She is very passionate about her job and starts each day eager to help others reach their visual goals.
Heather Dillon, PVT, COVT
Heather has been working for the Oakville Centre for Vision since 2001. In 2010, the practice relocated to a larger space with a dedicated Vision Therapy program and Heather became a Vision Therapist.
While she gained a tremendous amount of knowledge within the office setting, she started attending training sessions at the COVD meeting, as well as sessions held at in Vaughn. Interacting with other offices was very beneficial as it expanded her knowledge.
As VTC emerged, there was an opportunity to meet and learn closer to home which included meeting local therapists. She volunteered at the first conventions and got to know more professionals in the field.
Heather decided to work towards her COVT and her PVTAP. When COVD scheduled their 2020 meeting in Toronto, she decided she would do both in 2020 (not a good idea) and successfully completed them.
When she is not working, she lives near Lake Erie on a small hobby farm.
Heather finds Vision Therapy to be one of the most rewarding careers she has had and continues to look forward to seeing her patients each week.
Maxine Jelilyan, BA, PVT, CNP, COVT
Maxine previously served as the Director of Therapist Relations for Vision Therapy Canada and is the recipient of the current VTC Therapist of the Year award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the profession and dedication to excellence in patient care.
Health, Happiness and Gratitude are words that best describe Maxine and her outlook on life. She is grateful for every experience life has given her, and for all the lessons learned that formed who she is today. Helping others is second nature and has been practiced over many volunteer positions, fundraising projects and through her work life - most recently in her career as Vision Therapist at InDepth Vision in Milton, Ontario.
Maxine attended Vision Therapy Canada's Practical Vision Therapy Accreditation Program (PVTAP) and was in the first graduating class where she obtained her PVT certification in 2017.
She has completed courses in Neuro-Motor Maturity: Optimizing Vision Therapy through Testing and Integration of Primitive Reflexes; Neurorehabilitation through the Ontario Brain Injury Association and Brock University; Concussion Management Workshops through Concussion Rehab Works and the University of Toronto; The Exotropia Seminar through the Optometric Extension Program Foundation (OEPF); Concussion Prevention, Detection and Management as a MOOC through the University of Calgary, Faculty of Kinesiology; and continues to expand her knowledge by attending continuing education courses and conferences at every opportunity!
Outside of the field of Behavioural Optometry, Maxine received her Degree in Business as well as a concurrent Certificate in Psychology at Ryerson University and is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner through the Institute of Holistic Nutrition.
Currently, Maxine dedicates her professional time to Vision Therapy and Vision Rehabilitation for patients with learning-related vision problems, visual dysfunctions, Strabismus, Amblyopia, Acquired/traumatic brain injuries, Autism and children and adults with retained primitive reflexes.
With an eye toward all things health related, and a particular interest in helping patients better their lives through Vision Therapy, Maxine is thrilled to be part of the team at InDepth Vision and part of this great community of Vision Therapists and Behavioural Optometrists.
Are you interested in becoming a committee member? Do you have a unique idea or suggestion that you would like to become reality? Would you like to apply for a current position or dedicate your time to volunteer for a role?
Email us at Therapist@visiontherapycanada.com
Join us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/canadianvisiontherapy/