OBSERVER Photo by Natasha Matteliano Chautauqua Physical and Occupational Therapy cut ribbon on its new Dunkirk office on Friday.

Chautauqua Physical & Occupational Therapy held a ribbon cutting at its new Dunkirk location on Friday.

Branching out from their Mayville and Jamestown offices, Chautauqua Physical & Occupational Therapy now has an office in Dunkirk, at 51 E. Third St.

Dr. Patrick Green, owner and physical therapist, said he was happy to finally open the doors to the public of this third location.

“This was supposed to open in March, but then the COVID-19 pandemic hit,” said Judi Goerke, patient development director. “But we were able to work through that and open our doors today.”

Many elected officials joined in cutting the ribbon, including Mayor Wilfred Rosas, state Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, R-Jamestown, and County Executive PJ Wendel.

They all took turns congratulating Dr. Green and Wendel even gifted a certificate of congratulations to the new location.

“This is really a good example of perseverance,” Wendel said. “To take on a project during a worldwide pandemic when we’re concerned about everything. But you can see the work you’ve done, the effort that was put in from contractors and staff, and it’s great to see now the triangle, Jamestown, Mayville, and now Dunkirk.”

Chautauqua Physical and Occupational Therapy has equipped their new location with all new equipment and tools, including stationary bikes, stairs, and other tools for therapy. Each piece of equipment has a card on it that is velcro, one side reading “clean” and the other “dirty” to mark which need to be cleaned and which have been cleaned.

“All of the equipment here is brand new,” Green said. “Everything has been a challenge during the pandemic, getting equipment delivered and getting the contractors in. … But we are very happy to be in Dunkirk, it’s a great opportunity and I look forward to having many years of successful services to the patients that come to us.”