Therapy Team
John Payne, DPT, OCSDirector/Owner
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. 
Kim HulserOccupational Therapy Assistant
Kim began her career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) after graduating from Bates Technical College in 2017. Embarking on her second professional journey in Occupational Therapy, she has specialized in the pediatric field, working in private clinics with expertise in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Emotional Regulation, Sensory Processing Disorder, Social Skill Development, and Developmental Delays. Over time, her training and experience have led her to further specialize in Sensory Integration, Mental Health, Anxiety, and Social Skills Instruction. Kim is dedicated to continuous learning and has pursued advanced education in areas such as the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding, Non-Medication Strategies for Managing Challenging Behaviors, and the Impact of Postural Control on Function. Her ultimate goal is to help children and their families achieve greater independence and success in their daily lives. Before discovering her passion for Occupational Therapy, Kim earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington State University. Her first career was as a Juvenile Probation Counselor for King County Superior Court, where she gained extensive experience working with youth of all ages in the criminal justice system. Although Kim has lived in the Puget Sound area for many years with her husband and two children, she grew up in Walla Walla, which she still fondly calls “home.” In her free time, she enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, reading, spending time with her family, and playing with her yellow lab, Winston. 
Alisa CordellOffice Manager
Alisa is a lifelong Washington native. A dedicated professional with a passion for healthcare, Alisa earned her degree in Medical Assisting and spent six years working in pediatrics, where she gained invaluable experience working with young patients and their families. Her career transitioned from the clinical setting to the academic world, teaching medical assisting at a local college. Alisa later became the department chair for the medical assisting program. Her work in academia was deeply rewarding, but after the birth of her twins at 24 weeks, Alisa faced an unexpected and life-changing journey. Navigating the NICU and experiencing the heartbreaking loss of her son led Alisa to develop a deep appreciation for the therapies that support families through difficult times. As she supported her daughter through occupational therapy and speech therapy, Alisa discovered a newfound passion for helping families access the services and care they needed. This passion led her to a position as office manager at a private pediatric therapy clinic, where she enjoyed working closely with families and ensuring they received the best possible care. Alisa is thrilled to continue her professional journey at Sundance, a place that holds special meaning for her as her daughter was once a patient there. Outside of her work, Alisa loves spending time with her family, which includes her husband, daughter, her mother, and their two cats, Ginger and Minerva, as well as Josie, the family dog. When she’s not at the barn or supporting her daughter in dance, Alisa enjoys reading, crafting, and baking. |
Courtney Courtier, DPT, CLTClinical Director, Physical Therapist
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! 
Melanie AchesonPhysical Therapy Assistant
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. 
Jessica WilliamsSpeech Language Pathologist
Jessica earned her undergraduate degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Washington State University. She went on to complete a Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, with a specialized focus on speech-language therapy and therapeutic horseback riding. Following her graduation, Jessica spent her first year as an SLP working at a facility in New Mexico, where she utilized hippotherapy as a treatment strategy. She found the movement to be an effective tool for increasing speech and language skills. Jessica has gained diverse experience across various settings, including private practice and schools. Jessica lives in Puyallup with her husband, daughter, and two small dogs. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and hiking. |
Foundation Team
Demarie McCurdyExecutive Director
Demarie grew up in Washington and graduated from Western Washington University in 2001 with a BA in Human Services. She worked as a Legal Advocate for victims of sexual assault and child abuse until 2007. After marrying her husband, Andy, in 2006, she moved to Puyallup and began her career in fundraising working at Good Samaritan Foundation. Demarie stepped away from work in 2009 when her twins were born 4 months early; her son is blind and on the spectrum, so she has a deep knowledge and compassion for parents/caregivers navigating the medical, therapy, and school systems. She began volunteering at Sundance in early 2023 and fell in love with the kids receiving therapy, as well as the horses. Her son receives hippotherapy at Sundance and her husband and daughter also volunteer here. She enjoys spending time with her family & friends, walking her dogs, visiting the mountains and ocean when she can, and enjoying a good cup of coffee. 
Sarah CochranVolunteer Coordinator
Sarah, a lifelong Seattle resident, has dedicated her career to fostering connections and supporting others. Starting in sales and transitioning to practice management, she gained valuable insights into healthcare and community engagement. Sarah came to Sundance as our Patient Coordinator in 2022, supporting patients and their families while getting started with hippotherapy. Because of her passion for bringing people together, she made a natural transition into the Volunteer Coordinator role here at Sundance. She brings her skills and expertise to this role in volunteer recruitment, supporting volunteers through training and facilitating volunteer scheduling needs. In addition to her professional work, Sarah is also a wife, mother, and grandmother. She is active in her community, and she is passionate about supporting local organizations that help children and families. |
Makenna BlevinsBarn Manager
Bio coming soon! 
Amanda CoreyAssistant Barn Manager
Amanda was born and raised in Washington and began her horse journey when she was five. She has spent the last two decades showing, working, teaching lessons, and training horses. After graduating from Western Washington with an Environmental Studies degree in 2016, Amanda has worn many hats in her career when she finally found a job that stopped feeling like a job. With a background in customer service, sustainability, and animal science, Amanda arrived at Sundance in 2024 as the Assistant Barn Manager, giving the best care to our horses. Along with her passion for horses, Amanda puts her people skills to work by nurturing relationships with our volunteers. After a day of working with horses, she spends most evenings with her horses and then goes home to her two dogs. Amanda enjoys being outside, video games, cooking, gardening, drinking multiple cups of tea, and keeping a full bird feeder. |
Foundation Board of Directors
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Lisa Mulligan, President
Bree Cowdrey, Vice President Pam Giles, Treasurer Andrea Marquez, Secretary Gena Vincent |
