AAT Toronto
Our TEAM
Ali Cooper
Owner & Occupational Therapist
Ali is a registered Occupational Therapist and former teacher who specializes in Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) to help children reach full potential. She is deeply passionate about her work and continually seeks out learning opportunities to better support the families she works with.
Her interest in the therapeutic power of the human-animal bond began early in her career. In 2012, Ali worked as an Animal-Assisted Therapy Facilitator with Healing Hooves (EAGALA member) in Queensland, Australia, where she planned and implemented equine-assisted therapy activities. In 2013, she furthered her training through Harcum College's Animal-Assisted Therapy course, a comprehensive program exploring the human-animal bond and its therapeutic applications across disciplines.
By intentionally partnering with animals in her clinical practice, Ali creates a high-motivation environment where children feel more engaged and confident while working through challenges.
A graduate of McGill University (B.Ed.) and the University of Toronto (MScOT), Ali combines her classroom insight and experience with a neurodiversity-affirming approach to support sensory processing, regulation, and motor coordination. Whether she is implementing specific curriculums or working on fine motor skills, Ali leverages the human-animal bond to make therapy feel less like work and more like a meaningful partnership tailored to the unique needs of each family.
Summer
Therapy Dog
Meet Summer, a 9-year-old Golden Retriever and the heart of our Animal-Assisted Therapy program. Summer spent the first years of her life working as a breeding dog, and when Ali adopted her in 2022, it was clear from the start that she was truly special. Everyone who meets her feels it immediately. With her gentle nature and sweet soul, Summer has a natural gift for making everyone feel seen and supported. A true professional, she is famous for her love of ear rubs and her subtle way of begging you to never stop. Whether providing a calming presence during a sensory session or acting as a joyful motivator for functional goals, Summer’s love for all people makes her the perfect therapeutic partner in Ali’s practice.