Empowering independence for all people by developing competence and confidence in life skills in the community, work and at home. That’s the mission of Zion Dixon, occupational therapist and owner of Empower Therapy Services.  

“Our goal is to see teens and adult individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities achieve their highest level of independence and the highest level of quality of life through skills development at home and in the community through a skilled client-centered, strengths-based practice approach,” Dixon said. “We achieve this through occupational and speech therapy.” 

Dixon was born and raised in North Idaho. He’s a Lake City High School graduate and earned a master’s in occupational therapy at the University of Idaho in 2022. He began his career in habilitative support in pediatric occupational therapy clinics in North Idaho. He also worked as an occupational therapist in the McCall-Donnelly School District and was a staff member at Specialized Needs Recreation (SNR) in Coeur d’Alene.  

In August of 2023, Dixon opened Empower Therapy Services, an in-home, community-based occupational therapy practice.  

“I always had a passion for working with developmental disabilities, and that's where I feel like my heart is. But after working in a skilled nursing setting for 15 months, I was getting burned out because it was not the population I was super passionate about,” Dixon said. “I knew that there was an unmet need for skilled services for teens and adults with developmental disabilities and wanted to help them achieve their goals and dreams — to turn hopeless into hope —  their cant’s into can-dos and the impossible into possible.” 

Dixon said several pediatric clinics in North Idaho offer services for children and school-aged kids who suffer from developmental disabilities. But those facilities, he added, are scarce for individuals transitioning into adulthood. 

“There’s a big drop-off in what’s available for kids 18-to-21 years old who are finishing up their education and entering the workforce,” Dixon said. “And so that prompted me to try to meet that need — to try to help those individuals who are entering into that new phase of life — taking on new responsibilities and learning how to be independent. It’s a whole new set of learning skills.” 

It’s a big responsibility for Dixon as well, one he can’t tackle on his own as his client list has greatly expanded over the last three years. 

“I currently have two full-time occupational therapy assistants and a speech therapist. Collectively, we are conducting 30 to 35 sessions a week,” Dixon said. “I just hired another occupational therapist and a therapy assistant who’ll start in September.” 

Despite the heavy workload, Dixon said he thoroughly enjoys helping empower individuals with developmental disabilities. 

“I love what I get to do. I am super grateful that I get to wake up every morning and do a job that I'm passionate about,” Dixon said. “I get to help people and see the difference that my employees and I are making in their lives. I love hearing the feedback from our clients about new skills that they're learning.” 

Empower Therapy Services is currently working with clients in Kootenai and Bonner Counties. Dixon said he accepts insurance payments. 

“Insurance will cover the sessions. Clients need a referral from their doctor for occupational therapy services,” Dixon said. “We also take Medicare and Medicaid.” 

Visit www.empowertherapyservices.com or call 208-819-4327 for more information. 

Now the TidBits  

New and Upcoming 

• Mor Furniture for Less, located in the Prairie Shopping Center in Hayden, is open.

• The Flying Pickle, a state-of-the-art pickleball facility, is now open at The Pointe in Post Falls on 140 N. Beck Road.  

• The Crescent Moon Bakery at 315 E. Walnut in Coeur d'Alene is now open.

• Golden Rule Brake at 3637 N. Government Way is open for business.

• Jefe's Tacos and Tequila at 761 N. Idaho St. in Post Falls is now open.  

• Dragon Fly Support Services, a mental health and substance use counseling facility, is now open at 601 E. Seltice Way in Post Falls.  

• Les Schwab Tire Center is now open at 1656 N. Nicholson Center in Post Falls.

• Sierra Ranch Chili in the Silver Lake Mall is now open.

• The Coral Cafe is open at 1524 E. Sherman Ave. in Coeur d'Alene.

• The Mad Baby Thrift and Consign is open at 5380 E. Seltice Way in Post Falls.

Ongoing Projects    

• American Universal Storage is planned for Spirit Lake along Highway 41, across from the Jiffi Stop.    

• The Ross Point Gas Station is under construction at 310 N. Ross Point Road in Post Falls.   

• Coeur Dance Arts is a new dance studio under development at 4131 Early Dawn Ave. Suite 105B, Post Falls. Classes are expected to begin mid-summer; check coeurdancearts.com.   

• A new commercial building is planned for the Riverstone development at 1570 W. Tilford Lane and will bring at least one new dining option to the area. The 7,500-square-foot mixed-use building's targeted finish date is this summer.    

• The 33-unit, mixed-use "Nonna" building across from Post Falls City Hall on Spokane Street is anticipated to be completed by October of 2026. 

• A five-story, 173-room Hilton Dual Brand Hotel is planned for a 2.71-acre parcel of land off Lee Court and Appleway Avenue in Coeur d'Alene. The project's start and completion dates haven't been determined.

Post Falls Business Licenses Filed

• Legendary Paw Spa, LLC

• A Touch of the Cascades Landscaping, LLC

• Inland Motors

• Two Left Feet, LLC

• Nightshade Alchemy, LLC

• • • 

Have a tip on happenings in the local business world? Contact Bob at [email protected].