Be on Time! Advertising Deadline: 12 Noon on Tuesday

Friday, December 19, 2025

For PDF version of this weeks paper, please click here...

ABC Therapy Services co-owners reflect on recent expansion, share future plans

By Casper Wehrhahn

Last week’s paper featured the grand opening of the new location for A Better Connection (ABC) Therapy Services. This week, the Neepawa Banner & Press had the opportunity to speak with co-owners Shelby Gillies (Speech Language Pathologist) and Martina Villa (Behaviour Consultant) on the growth of their business and services thus far.

Rapid growth

The therapy service first got its start in Neepawa on Sept. 17, 2024 as ABC with Shelby Gillies, with Gillies as the sole owner and services provider. At that time, the business was located in the east wing of the Breaker 16 Building, just outside of town. Then, in June of 2025, Gillies and Villa’s collaborations began.

“We had been talking on the phone for quite a while, shaping ideas and planning what our collaboration could look like. Things became more official and structured in August 2025, which is when we began actively searching for the perfect clinic space and moved forward with the planning process,” said Villa.

This partnership marked the official change to ‘ABC Therapy Services’, and their subsequent relocation to 41 Main Street East.

“When we expanded into ‘A Better Connection Therapy Services’, finding a space right in town felt natural and practical. Neepawa is growing quickly and has become a central hub for surrounding communities,” said Gillies. “The location helps reduce long driving times for families and makes services more accessible for people in the nearby areas. It felt like the right place to build something that supports both local families and those commuting from nearby towns.”

Stepping into their new space for the first time, and holding their first therapy session, on Nov. 21, 2025 was described by the pair as ‘surreal’.

“Seeing our vision become real feels incredibly accomplishing. We put so much work into every step of this process, and being inside the finished clinic reminds us why we did it. The space holds a lot of significance because it represents growth for the community,” Gillies enthused.

Villa added, “It creates more therapy opportunities for individuals and families in and around Neepawa, which was one of our biggest goals. It also reflects our resilience and commitment as young business owners. Seeing the clinic open and running shows us, and hopefully others, that when you want something and you put in consistent work, you can build something meaningful.”

A major milestone

In addition to their recent move, the co-owners shared that the past six months since their partnership have been full of momentum. With an abundance of encouragement and support from the public, ABC Therapy formed swiftly.

“Families were eager for a clinic that brought Speech Language Therapy and Behaviour Consulting together under one roof. That need pushed our growth forward faster than we expected,” said Gillies. “It has been rewarding to watch the partnership evolve from conversations into a functioning clinic that serves individuals and families. It reinforced that there is a genuine need for accessible, high-quality services in this region.”

Grateful for support

Looking forward to the coming years, the duo are eager to incorporate a ‘sensory gym’. Sensory gyms, also known as sensory rooms, are calming spaces that help individuals manage stress and/or sensory overload. They often include features such as soft lighting, calming sounds and tactile materials and activities.

“It will support our clients during sessions and also act as a drop-in option for families who are travelling long distances and need a safe sensory break,” said Gillies. “We want it to be a welcoming and supportive space for anyone who needs it.”

The ideas don’t stop there, however. Villa expanded further, adding, “We are also planning possible spring break and winter break camps, as well as exploring potential creative and engaging therapy options with other professionals for individuals and families. We also want to create different support groups for individuals and families.”

In the meantime, the pair wished to share a word of thanks for the support they have received thus far in their venture.

“We feel grateful for the trust families have already shown us,” said Gillies. “Building this clinic has been a major milestone, and we are committed to maintaining a warm environment, high-quality therapy, and strong communication. Our goal is to support individuals and families while continuing to grow with the community.”