7985 Knight Road
Gainesville, GA 30506
102 Memorial Drive
Dahlonega, GA 30533
770.781.4899
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Gainesville, GA 30506
Dahlonega, GA 30533
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Nicole is a graduate of Brenau University where she received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in occupational therapy. During her years of practice, she has worked as an occupational therapist in various settings including the school system, home health care for all populations, clinic-based therapy for all populations including upper extremity rehabilitation and equine assisted therapy. Her intensive continuing education background includes Sensory Integration theory and practice, including studying at The Temple Grandin School in Arizona, Neuro-Developmental Treatment, Equine Assisted Therapy and oral motor/feeding and eating therapy, including the Beckman Oral Motor Protocol. Nicole has received her Board Certification in Pediatrics and her Specialty Certification in Feeding, Eating and Swallowing from the American Occupational Therapy Association. Nicole is the President/CEO and owner of Walker Therapy Services, LLC.
Celina is a native of Miami, Florida. She joined Walker Therapy Services in 2018 and works diligently with our families on the new patient process. She is bilingual and provides translating services for our therapists and parents. Celina volunteers her time with Saddle Buddies Therapy and lives in the North Georgia mountains with her husband and four children.
Nolina received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in occupational therapy at Brenau University. She also is a graduate of Florida State University with a Bachelor of Education in rehabilitation counseling. Nolina worked, for three years, establishing behavior programs at Community Intervention and Research Center, Inc. in Tallahassee, FL. After moving to Atlanta, GA, she worked at Shepherd Center in the capacities of Life Skills Trainer, Behavioral Specialist, and lastly as an Occupational Therapist. Nolina has also been a private occupational therapy contractor working with the Lumpkin County School System and in home health. Ever since then Nolina has enthusiastically been providing occupational therapy through equine assisted therapy at Walker Therapy Services, LLC. Prior continuing education experiences for Nolina include certification at The Tangram Behavioral Center in Texas, completion of Sensory Integration theory and practice courses, completion of visual and visual motor courses, and completion of “Horse Talk”, the equine assisted therapy course. Currently, Nolina is living in Cumming, GA with her husband and three children.
Kristen received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Master of Science in physical therapy at North Georgia College. During her first 5 years of practice, she worked as a physical therapist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta-Scottish Rite. She also worked part-time in acute care at Dunwoody Medical Center caring for adults. As a independent contractor, Kristen has served the pediatric population through home health in Hall, Lumpkin, Dawson and Forsyth counties for the past 9 years. Her intensive continuing education background includes completion of courses in Neuro-Developmental Treatment, Sensory Integration theory, Equine Assisted Therapy, Aquatic therapy, and pediatric gait training. Pruitt is now excited to be working for Walker Therapy providing physical therapy through equine assisted therapy, land-based therapy and aquatic therapy. She currently lives with her husband and five children in Gainesville, Georgia.
Allison received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from North Georgia College & State University. Allison has continued her studies in hippotherapy, aquatic therapy and Neuro-Developmental Treatment. She lives in Dahlonega Georgia and enjoys spending time with her husband and family.
Meredith Boyd Stevens received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology from Georgia State University. Meredith continued her education at University of North Georgia where she received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. During her graduate studies, Meredith conducted research on whole body vibration as a therapy for children with anoxic brain injuries, and their response in regards to functional mobility. After graduating from UNG, Meredith began working at Walker Therapy where she has continued her studies in hippotherapy and Neuro Developmental Treatment. Meredith lives in Cumming with her husband and three children. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and taking care of the family pets.
Kathleen Hardgrove-Amukamara, M.A., CCC-SLP has been a speech-language pathologist for over 30 years. Kathleen earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Douglass College, Rutgers University and her Masters Degree in Speech Pathology from Kean University. Professional experience includes hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private special education schools, public schools, and home health care with children and adults. She is a member of the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). A native of New Jersey, Kathleen and her family moved to Georgia in 2009. Kathleen lives in Cumming with her husband, three daughters, and their pet dogs.
Anna received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia. Anna completed her pediatric Level II clinical fieldwork with Walker Therapy learning all about equine assisted therapy and aquatic therapy. Her research studies included looking at the Effectiveness of the Stepping-On Program in Reducing the Fear of Falling and the Incidents of Falls in Community Dwelling Older Adults. After graduating, Anna has received her certification in Physical Agent Modalities. Since beginning to work for Walker Therapy in 2014, Anna has continued her studies in pediatrics, hippotherapy and aquatic therapy. Anna is a native of Dawsonville, Georgia. She attends Browns Bridge Community Church. Anna lives in Gainesville with her husband and son. In her free time, Anna enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and her Goldendoodle, Maple.
Jessica Svenson, M.A., CCC-SLP is a native of Dawsonville, GA who earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education with a emphasis in Speech and Hearing Sciences from University of West Georgia, and her Masters Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Saint Louis University. Jessica started working at Walker Therapy in 2019. She is a member of the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Jessica has training in working with children with various deficits including language and articulation delays and feeding, eating and swallowing problems. She especially enjoys working with children using augmentative and alternative communication devices to aid in communication and language development. Jessica lives north of Atlanta and enjoys spending her time with her husband and family.
Emily earned her Master of Science in occupational therapy from Brenau University in 2016, with her thesis focusing on benefits of hippotherapy. Emily started volunteering for Saddle Buddies in 2012, and began working for the clinic later the same year. After graduation, Emily returned to Walker Therapy and Saddle Buddies as an occupational therapist. Emily has continued her studies focusing on hippotherapy and pediatrics, and has served on Saddle Buddies board of directors since 2013. Emily enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, as well as their numerous animals at her home in Dahlonega.
Alyssa earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Motor Behavior from Pacific University Oregon and her Master of Occupational Therapy at University of St. Augustine in San Marcos, California. Before attending OT school, Alyssa managed an aquatics program for people with disabilities, working with all ages and ability levels. Alyssa completed her Level II Fieldwork at Walker Therapy to further her aquatic knowledge, and learn all about equine assisted therapy. After graduation, Alyssa began working for Walker Therapy, and has continued her studies in hippotherapy and executive functioning skills in relationship to pediatrics. Alyssa also has professional experience with adult and geriatric populations, specifically with neurological rehabilitation. Alyssa is a native of Montana, who moved to Georgia in 2015. She currently lives in Gainesville with her husband, where they enjoy activities such as camping and hiking.
Lauren received her doctorate of physical therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences and her bachelors in exercise science and psychology from SUNY University at Buffalo. She is excited to be beginning her career in pediatrics at Walker Therapy at the Gainesville and Dahlonega locations. During her last clinical internship, she developed a passion for hippotherapy. She has advanced manual therapy training with certifications in Myofascial Manipulation and Cranio-facial, Cervical, and Upper Thoracic Spinal Manipulation.
Heidi joined the team at Walker Therapy in June of 2017. She provides physical therapy through the Babies Can’t Wait program in the natural environments of homes and daycares. Heidi also works with children in the Forsyth County School System during the calendar school year. Heidi obtained her doctor of physical therapy degree (DPT) from Georgia State University and her bachelor’s degree in Biology from North Georgia College and State University. She is a childhood cancer survivor and was privileged to intern at St. Jude Children’s Hospital with pediatric oncology patients. Heidi is blessed and grateful for her job as a physical therapist and loves helping children succeed physically through play. She has held the following certifications: a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA and a Certified Vestibular Rehabilitation Specialist through the American Institute of Balance. Heidi loves spending time with her husband and two sons. She enjoys anything outdoors, especially athletic activities of wake-boarding, swimming, skiing, weight training, running, hiking & teaching Zumba classes in her spare time.
Susan (Miss Sue) attended Ohio State University, Governors State University in Illinois for undergrad and graduated from The Richard Stockton University with a masters in occupational therapy. She has worked in a variety of settings, including inpatient, outpatient and long term care pediatrics, from Children’s Specialized hospital in New Jersey, Levine children’s acute in Charlotte NC and a variety of private outpatient clinics. She, along with 2 other colleagues, conducted a constraint camp for 6 years in New Jersey with a published study. Susan enjoys working with all children, with a special interest in musculoskeletal/neurologic populations. Continuing education is one of her hot buttons, she is a Certified Kinesio taping Practitioner L1-3, TMR levels 1- 2, Metronome certified, AHA certified, NDT, Massery breathing, therapeutic yoga, myofascial and craniosacral release, Floortime, visual/vestibular and splinting courses. Presently she is working with 0-3 year is in the Babies Cant Wait network and all age groups in the clinic. Susan teaches Jazzercise and is a personal trainer, she enjoys dancing, water skiing, kayaking and hanging out with her husband of 42 years, their 3 children and 7 grandchildren.
Abbie has her Batchelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in Exercise and Sports Science, and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from University of North Georgia. Abbie completed her Level III clinical fieldwork at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. During her graduate studies, Abbie completed research on the effect of interlimb coordination on gait control. Abbie and her husband reside in Dahlonega, GA. In her free time she enjoys walking her two dogs, working out and baking. Abbie’s drive for being a pediatric physical therapist is to make movement fun and to help kids come alive to their movement potential.
Kellsey received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in occupational therapy at Brenau University. She is physical agent modality certified and enjoys working with clients of all ages and abilities. Kellsey has a special needs sister who is her inspiration and loves working with kids on horseback and in the pool. Prior to getting her degree, Kellsey worked as an assistant coach for her neighborhood swim team and volunteered regularly at Parkwood Farms Therapy Center leading therapeutic riding sessions. Kellsey has experience in outpatient pediatrics, hand therapy, home health, and outpatient neurorehabilitation and has a sweet spot for working with clients who have neurological diagnoses including cerebral palsy, stroke, and dementia. Kellsey is thrilled to be a part of the Walker Therapy Services family.
Lisa Lieberman
Brittany Pearson