Hippotherapy Program
Sundance Circle Hippotherapy
(253) 251-9994
(253) 251-9994
John Payne, DPT, OCS
Physical Therapist
Owner
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Dupa Midnight Films. Executive Producer: Nathan Corpus
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John received his B.S. from Brigham Young University in Exercise Physiology. He then went on to receive a Masters of Physical Therapy at the University of Utah. He moved to Washington where he worked in a private practice in outpatient orthopedics and then returned to the University of Utah a year later to complete a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. John has worked in outpatient orthopedics for 16 years and has a board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS). He enjoys employing manual therapy skills with exercise and movement to help his patients restore their active life styles. John is a busy father of four and enjoys the outdoors; hiking and camping when he can but most of his time he can be found working on home improvement projects around his house and farm. He also owns and operates a horse boarding facility, where he performs hippotherapy. Education: Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Physiology from Brigham Young University Masters and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from University of Utah |
Courtney Courbertier, PT, DPT, CLT
Physical Therapist
Clinical Director
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Dupa Midnight Films. Executive Producer: Nathan Corpus
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Courtney was born and raised in Sammamish, Washington. She stayed "local" for college going to Eastern Washington University, but then decided to explore a new place graduating from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2019.
Courtney started her career working in an outpatient orthopedic setting, but her first true physical therapy love has always been working with pediatrics and people with disability. She has had a passion for hippotherapy from an early age, volunteering at multiple hippotherapy facilities throughout her high-school and college years, eventually leading her to join Sundance Circle Hippotherapy as a treating therapist. When not at work, Courtney enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, hiking and exploring the beautiful mountains and landscape of the PNW, and cheering on the Seahawks! |
Tiffany Roark, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
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Tiffany received her B.S. in art education from Kansas State University. She spent 10+ years working with children both in a school setting as well as a caregiver for numerous families. Once she learned about occupational therapy she realized this would be the perfect fit for her and her love of psychology, science, and child development. She completed her Master’s in occupational therapy from University of Puget Sound in 2021 through Covid, having 3 children, and moving from Seattle to Tacoma. In addition to Sundance, she works with adults in the acute care setting. She is passionate about increasing children’s outdoor time and providing motivating environments to increase autonomy and independence. She also has a passion for helping children better connect with their bodies in order to increase engagement in daily activities. She loves spending time with her family which includes her husband, 3 young kids, 2 cats, and a dog. Some of her favorite activities include biking, running, kayaking, backpacking, or just taking a nature stroll with her children. She also loves working on house projects or creating fun play spaces for her kids (usually in the backyard). She grew up riding horses with her older sister and enjoys bringing her children to the clinic to inspire the same equine connection she had as a child.
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Emma McMormick, M.S. CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
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Emma is a graduate of Northern Arizona University. She moved from the warm sunshine of Arizona out to the rainy Pacific Northwest in 2019. Emma's experience includes early intervention, coaching, feeding, articulation, phonology, language, supporting gestalt language processors and supporting use of all AAC modalities. She strives to provide services which are strength and interest based. Emma's hobbies include hiking and cooking. As well as playing with her 3 legged dog named Quill (Named after Peter Quill from Guardians of the Galaxy).
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Melanie Acheson, PTA
Physical Therapist Assistant
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Melanie received her Bachelors of Science in Physiology at California University at Fresno State, and furthered her education in Physical Therapy receiving her associates as a Physical Therapist Assistant from Denver Technical College in Denver, Colorado.
Melanie is passionate about healing, nurturing, and making a positive impact assisting patients of all ages to gain, return, and progress functional mobility. With over 20 years of experience as a Physical Therapist Assistant, she has had the privilege of helping countless individuals and families learn and regain their strength in a variety of settings. When she found the opportunity to work here at Sundance it was truly a dream job. As a long time therapist with that little girl heart for horses it allowed her to meld the two wonderful worlds together. It’s allowed her to further her skills and see another avenue to the power of movement. Adapt and overcome is a motto that Melanie strives for everyday in the big and little things of daily life. When she is not helping others recover, you'll find her balancing the demands and chaos of being a busy mom of two active and awesome teens. She enjoys outdoor adventures , gardening, and long walks. Swimming and staying active fuel her soul and keep me energized |
Carolyn Needham, COTA
Occupational Therapist Assistant
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Carolyn Needham is a nationally certified, state licensed, occupational therapy assistant, at Sundance Circle Hippotherapy. Carolyn is a Washington native who received a bachelor's degree from Central Washington University and an associate degree from Bates Technical College. After graduation, Carolyn has worked in outpatient pediatric clinics across Pierce and King County. Carolyn selected this special pediatric setting for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and their families in her local community.
Carolyn lives in Kent with her husband Billy. During her free time, she enjoys working in her garden, camping, and spending time with family and friends. |
Adaptive Riding Program
About Maddy DeMaris, CTRI, PATH Int. BA (Psychology), WSU
Fully Certified PATH International Riding Instructor
Maddy has been around horses since she was eight years old and has very fond memories of one of her first ponies, Miss Marbles. She has worked at horse camps with multiple horses and children and competed in Polo at college level. As well as teaching on our adaptive program, Maddy is the barn manager at Sundance Circle Hippotherapy. She knows the horses fantastically well, which enables her to flawlessly match horses to riders. Maddy is passionate about adaptive riding and says:
"I love helping people gain a level of riding skills and independence that they can use throughout their riding career, and transfer into their daily life."
Fully Certified PATH International Riding Instructor
Maddy has been around horses since she was eight years old and has very fond memories of one of her first ponies, Miss Marbles. She has worked at horse camps with multiple horses and children and competed in Polo at college level. As well as teaching on our adaptive program, Maddy is the barn manager at Sundance Circle Hippotherapy. She knows the horses fantastically well, which enables her to flawlessly match horses to riders. Maddy is passionate about adaptive riding and says:
"I love helping people gain a level of riding skills and independence that they can use throughout their riding career, and transfer into their daily life."
