Registered Physiotherapists

Heather Gillis

Clinic Owner/Physiotherapist

Stratford/New Hamburg

Heather Gillis is an owner of Physiotherapy Alliance. She works at the Stratford location. She is a national examiner, senior instructor and education chair with the Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and a professor at the University of Western Ontario. Heather graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a professional degree in Physiotherapy and completed her Masters in Clinical Anatomy in 2010. Heather also completed her Diploma in Manipulative Therapy in 1999 and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy. Heather has completed training in intramuscular dry needling. She volunteers her time and clinical insights to physiotherapists looking to advance their skills and is actively involved in various community events.

In her spare time Heather enjoys spending time with her two daughters and participating in Canadian stepdancing and clogging.

Darcy Trefiak

Clinic Owner/Physiotherapist

Stratford/Wellesley

Darcy Trefiak is an owner of Physiotherapy Alliance. He works at the Stratford, and Wellesley locations. Darcy graduated from the University of Alberta with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Zoology and then graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy in 1994. He completed his Advanced Diploma and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy. He has also completed the McMaster Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Course. Darcy has extensive experience in sports physiotherapy and has provided physiotherapy services to a wide range of sporting events at local and national levels. Darcy has donated his expertise to our community working with the Stratford Black Swans Rugby teams, Stratford Warriors Junior B hockey team, St. Mary’s Lincolns hockey team and multiple OFSSA tournaments to ensure the safety of our local athletes.

In his spare time Darcy enjoys spending time with his two daughters. Darcy likes to stay active by playing hockey and squash. He also enjoys running and cycling.

Jennifer Harwood

Physiotherapist

Stratford

In her spare time Jennifer loves spending time with her two sons, running, biking, hiking, and skiing.

Robert Docking

Physiotherapist

Milverton/Mitchell

Robert Docking works as a physiotherapist in the Milverton and Mitchell locations. Robert graduated from the University of Western Ontario with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology in 2007 and a Master of Physical Therapy in 2009. Post-graduate education includes courses in manual therapy, McKenzie mechanical diagnosis and treatment of the spine, intramuscular dry needling and acupuncture. He completed the Advanced Manual and Manipulative Physical Therapy Diploma and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy. Robert has provided physiotherapy services at a range of sporting events, including coverage of Black Swans Rugby and Stratford Warriors Junior B hockey and various local high school sports.

In his spare time, Robert enjoys playing and watching several sports, especially hockey and soccer.

Nicholas Wu

Physiotherapist

Stratford

Nick is a physiotherapist at Physiotherapy Alliance in Stratford. Nick completed his Bachelor of Kinesiology with high honours at the University of Toronto, and Master of Physical Therapy at Western University. Nick has a keen interest in sports rehabilitation and volunteers his time outside of the clinic working with the Stratford Warriors. Nick also enjoys lifting heavy weights at the gym, snowboarding, finding good eats and spending time with love ones.

Nick understands that like himself, clients have hobbies and interests that they want to engage in, with full function and no pain. Nick is passionate about getting his clients back to living life to its fullest through education, manual therapy, and guided exercise programming. To provide the highest quality of care, Nick commits to continuing his education in manual therapy and acupuncture courses.

Amy VanSchyndel

Physiotherapist

New Hamburg

Amy VanSchyndel is a Registered Physiotherapist at Physiotherapy Alliance, who primarily works in the New Hamburg location. Amy graduated from Western University with an Honours Bachelor of Medical Science in 2011, a Master of Science in 2013 and a Master of Physical Therapy in 2015. She also completed her Advanced Manual and Manipulative Physical Therapy Diploma and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy. Amy’s areas of interest and post-graduate education include courses in manual therapy, Integrated Dry Needling, concussion management, and vestibular rehabilitation. She is dedicated to providing compassionate, client-centred care through education, manual therapy, and exercise prescription; and is actively taking courses to learn American Sign Language in order to increase accessibility of physiotherapy services to all members of the community. She is also well-versed in the dance industry and has experience treating various dance-related injuries. Amy is the President of the Kitchener-Waterloo District of the Ontario Physiotherapy Association, and has been on the Executive Committee since 2016.

Amy dedicates her spare time to the art of dance, inspiring young dancers to discover their creative passion through both choreography and performance.  She spends the rest of her free time hiking, dancing, doing yoga, and spending quality time with her family and friends.

Heather Dayarathna

Physiotherapist

New Hamburg

Heather is a Physiotherapist at Physiotherapy Alliance in New Hamburg. Heather graduated from Western University with a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours Specialization in Rehabilitation Sciences) in 2017 and a Master of Physical Therapy in 2019. She completed the Masters of Clinical Science in Advanced Health Care Practice – Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at Western University in 2023 and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy. Heather has completed post-graduate courses in manual therapy, and she plans to pursue further education in this area as well as neurological physical therapy.

In her spare time, Heather enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys running, working out, and playing sports such as soccer and ultimate frisbee!

Derrick Owen

Physiotherapist

New Hamburg

Derrick is a Registered Physiotherapist at Physiotherapy Alliance’s New Hamburg location. He began his studies by completing his Bachelor of Science Human Kinetics degree at the University of Guelph in 2013, then went on to complete his Master of Physical Therapy degree at the University of Saskatchewan in 2016. Derrick has a special interest in the treatment of a variety of orthopedic injuries and conditions, vestibular rehabilitation and vertigo, and sports injuries prevention and rehabilitation. He has completed his Advanced Manual and Manipulative Physical Therapy Diploma and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy. He has also completed post-graduate training in Acupuncture and Vestibular Rehabilitation. Derrick looks forward to continuing to pursue further training in these areas of physiotherapy to further expand his repertoire in the near future.

In his spare time, Derrick enjoys spending time with his wife and their daughter. He also enjoys all things sports, especially hockey and golf.

Erin Taylor

Physiotherapist

New Hamburg/Stratford

Erin is a Registered Physiotherapy Resident working at the New Hamburg and Stratford locations. In 2020, she graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with an Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology and Specialization in Health and Rehabilitation. Erin then completed her Masters of Physical Therapy at Western University in 2022. She is looking forward to continuing her education through courses in acupuncture, dry needling, advanced manual therapy and vestibular rehabilitation.

Robert Docking

Physiotherapist

Milverton/Mitchell

Robert Docking works as a physiotherapist in the Milverton and Mitchell locations. Robert graduated from the University of Western Ontario with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology in 2007 and a Master of Physical Therapy in 2009. Post-graduate education includes courses in manual therapy, McKenzie mechanical diagnosis and treatment of the spine, intramuscular dry needling and acupuncture. He completed the Advanced Manual and Manipulative Physical Therapy Diploma and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy. Robert has provided physiotherapy services at a range of sporting events, including coverage of Black Swans Rugby and Stratford Warriors Junior B hockey and various local high school sports.

In his spare time, Robert enjoys playing and watching several sports, especially hockey and soccer.

Jillian Vanhevel

Physiotherapist

Grand Bend

Jillian Vanhevel is a Registered Physiotherapist and co-owner of the Grand Bend location. She graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Health Sciences and an Honours Specialization in Rehabilitation Sciences, in 2011. Jillian graduated from the University of Toronto with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy in 2013. Her post-graduate education includes courses in manual and orthopedic physiotherapy, acupuncture, Integrated Dry Needling, concussion management, athletic and kinesio taping, the McKenzie method, soft tissue release and more. She is a life-long learner and plans to continue taking courses in the future. Jillian is passionate about helping her patients achieve their own goals, and is dedicated to providing care in her local community of Grand Bend.

In her spare time, Jillian enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and being active outdoors.

Meghan Scott

Physiotherapist

Grand Bend/Goderich

Meghan Scott is a Resident Physiotherapist at Physiotherapy Alliance in Grand Bend and Goderich. She began her studies by completing her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree at Indiana University in 2020, where she played collegiate soccer. She then went on to complete her Master of Physical Therapy degree at Western University in 2022. 

Meghan has a special interest in pelvic health, neurological rehabilitation, sports rehabilitation and animal rehabilitation. Meghan looks forward to continuing to pursue further training in these areas of physiotherapy in the near future. 

Meghan grew up involved in many sports including soccer, volleyball, basketball, x-country, and horseback riding. Meghan is passionate about helping others, both human and animal, and looks forward to making a positive impact in her local community. 

In her spare time, Meghan enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her dog. She also enjoys reading, watching movies, and playing soccer for her local club FC London!”  

Andrea Carey

Physiotherapist

Grand Bend

Andrea Carey is a Registered Physiotherapist at Physiotherapy Alliance, working at the Grand
Bend location. Andrea graduated from Western University with a Bachelor of Arts, Honours
Specialization in Psychology and again in 2018 with a Masters in Physical Therapy. She has
completed post graduate courses in manual therapy, soft tissue and myofascial release,
acupuncture and pelvic health. Andrea’s goal with every patient, regardless of age, is to
provide them with the tools to become activate participants in their recovery and health
maintenance.
In her spare time, she enjoys being active and can often be found running, dragon boating and
weightlifting.

Dagny Kane-Haas

Clinic Owner/Physiotherapist

Goderich

Dagny also uses Deep Needling in her repertoire of treatments.

Dagny is part owner of Physiotherapy Alliance’s Goderich location.

She has been living and working in the Goderich area for many years. Her family is made up of two very active boys, husband and their menagerie. She enjoys staying physically fit and living an active lifestyle. When not at work she can be found kiteboarding or snowboarding with her family.

Melayna Sager

Physiotherapist

Goderich

In her spare time, Melayna enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys staying active, especially with outdoor activities

Tim Macleod

Physiotherapist

Goderich

Tim works as a physiotherapy resident at the Goderich location. He graduated from the University of Guelph with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science in 2018, and completed his Masters in Physical Therapy at Western University in 2022. 

Tim is passionate about helping clients get back to doing the things they love. His treatment approach focuses on functional exercise, manual therapy and education.

Tim is excited to continue his physiotherapy education and plans to pursue further education in manual therapy, acupuncture and dry needling. He is looking forward to expanding his skillset with the PT Alliance team.

In his spare time Tim enjoys spending time with family and friends. He also enjoys fishing, woodworking, and staying active at the gym and on the ice.