About Us

The Physiotherapy Clinic

Julie Skaling Physiotherapy Clinic (JSPC) opened November 4th, 2004 at 258 Cornwallis Street, Kentville, in a century old house. Julie was the sole physiotherapist with a secretary, working 3 days per week. Within four years, the business had outgrown its location, so in July 2008, the clinic moved to 70 Exhibition Street, in The Valley Professional Centre.

In October, 2013 Julie Skaling Physiotherapy Clinic opened a second Physiotherapy Clinic located in the Wolfville Professional Centre at 4 Little Road. This location has also has experienced significant growth in the past two years.

Currently, Julie Skaling Physiotherapy Clinic has 23 employees which include physiotherapists, massage therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapy assistants, and admin staff.

Julie Skaling, Physiotherapist/Owner

A licensed physiotherapist in Nova Scotia, Julie Skaling is also a trained Therapist in Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) and Combined Decongestive Therapy (CTD), a Canadian Certified Pedorthist, and Custom Compression Garment Fitter. She also successfully completed the acupuncture exams through the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute. Julie graduated from the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy at McGill University (Montreal) with distinction as a University Scholar and was awarded the top mark in her graduating year. For the past 25+ years Julie has worked in the Kentville area as a physiotherapist in private practice and as a pedorthist.

Physiotherapists

Ann Greener

Physiotherapist, Wolfville Clinic
Ann has worked as a physiotherapist for 23 years, the last 17 years at Julie Skaling Physiotherapy Clinic. Ann has treated patients of all ages but takes a special interest in geriatrics and also enjoys doing home visits for patients unable to attend the clinic. Over the last several years, Ann’s professional development has focused on complex concussion management with a specific interest in neuro visual postural therapy and balance and vertigo issues. Ann enjoys working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to best serve the needs of the patient. Ann enjoys treating the wide variety of patients seen in a private clinic and believes that direct, personalized care is an essential part of the therapeutic approach. Outside of work, Ann enjoys walking her dog, yoga, reading, watching her children’s sports and being involved in community theatre.

Alyssa Aquino

Physiotherapist, Kentville Clinic
Raised in the Annapolis Valley, Alyssa started her journey in health care by completing a Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics at St. FX University in 2014. She then went on to complete her Masters in Physiotherapy at Glasgow Caledonian University, graduating in 2017. After graduating, she returned home to work in the private practice setting and enjoys helping patients work towards their rehabilitation goals. When not at work, Alyssa enjoys outdoor activities and staying active in the community through her local volleyball programs.

Mitch Tate

Physiotherapist, Kentville Clinic
Mitch grew up on Grand Manan, NB, a quiet island community in the mouth of the Bay of Fundy. He studied physiotherapy at Dalhousie University following a brief career as a personal trainer in Halifax. Mitch has been a student of martial arts and various methods of physical training throughout his adult life, and currently teaches a Tai Chi class in the community. He lives in Kentville with his wife and three cats.

Emma Presley

Physiotherapist, Kentville Clinic
Born and raised in Ottawa Ontario, Emma attended the University of Ottawa for a Bachelor of Health Sciences. She then moved to Halifax for her Masters in Physiotherapy and graduated from Dalhousie university in 2020. Emma completed her physiotherapy residency in the valley and continues to love serving this community. Emma is proficient is treating a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and is always seeking continuing education opportunities to expand her scope of practice. She is a passionate and skilled physiotherapist with a commitment to evidence based, patient-centered care. Emma's primary focus is on building strong therapeutic relationships with her patients and working collaboratively to create holistic and comprehensive treatment programs.

Kaitlyn Farrell

Physiotherapy Resident, Kentville Clinic
Born and raised on the south coast of Newfoundland, Kaitlyn began her journey of becoming a physiotherapist in 2019 when she graduated with a Bachelors degree in Kinesiology from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Soon after, she relocated to Glasgow, Scotland to pursue her Masters in Physiotherapy, which she completed with Honors in 2022. Kaitlyn has since relocated to Nova Scotia and has recently joined our team as a Physiotherapy Resident. In her spare time, you can find Kaitlyn attending a local spin class or just hanging out with her cat, Pippy!

Christina Elizabeth Chacko

Physiotherapy Resident, Kentville Clinic
Christina was born in Saudi Arabia and was raised in a beautiful little state called Kerala, located at the southwestern Coast of India. She received a Bachelors of Physiotherapy from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in 2017, where she was honored with the best student clinician award. Christina also pursued a diploma in Canadian Health Care Systems in 2020 from Mohawk College. Most recently, Christina has relocated to valley to join our team as a Physiotherapy Resident. In her free time, you will find Christina baking and watching movies.

Massage Therapists

Dana Harrison

Registered Massage Therapist, Wolfville Clinic
Dana graduated from the Canadian College of Massage Therapy in 1998 and has been active in treating patients in the Annapolis Valley since then. She is trained in Vodder Method Lympahatic Drainage, RAPID NeuroFascial Reset, Myofascial Stretch and Pregnancy Massage. She still loves her profession after 25 years and looks forward to working with more valley residents. Dana is passionate in helping to educate patients on their journey to improvement, by teaching them what might be the cause of a dysfunction, and how to help themselves along the way. She works with learning a patient's habits, and previous history, to develop a plan that can address underlying restrictions from previous injuries. Dana enjoys crafts, baking, teaching children new skills, and everything Disney. She is active in her church and enjoys supporting local.

Brianna Merrett

Registered Massage Therapist, Kentville Clinic
Brianna graduated from ICT Northumberland in 2013 and has been actively treating patients in the Annapolis Valley since then. She is trained in cupping, Kinesio Taping, pregnancy massage and myofascial stretch. She loves to specialize in deep tissue massage along with trigger point therapy but is also trained in light general Swedish massage.

Rhiannon Wells

Registered Massage Therapist, Kentville Clinic

Shawna Lutz

Registered Massage Therapist, Kentville Clinic
Shawna was born and raised in the beautiful Annapolis Valley and has always had a passion for helping others which led her to her career as a Registered Massage Therapist. Shawna graduated from the 2200 hour program at ICT Northumberland College in Halifax. Since graduating, she has taken additional courses to benefit her clients such as pregnancy massage, kinesiology taping, cupping therapy, and myofascial stretching. She specializes in deep tissue therapy, but is also trained in light general Swedish massage. Shawna enjoys spending her spare time outdoors with friends and family.

Nicole Melenchuk

Registered Massage Therapist, Kentville Clinic

Occupational Therapists

Tyla Burnett

Occupational Therapist, Wolfville Clinic
Born and raised in the Annapolis Valley, Tyla Burnett (she/her) studied music at Acadia University, lived and worked in Dublin, Ireland, and went on to work with students at Landmark East School. She then discovered the amazing profession of occupational therapy, obtaining her OT degree with honors at Dalhousie University. She has been providing client-centered occupational therapy services for 16 years, and is passionate about helping clients improve their well-being and achieve their goals. Tyla has extensive experience in concussion management, cognitive assessment and rehabilitation, return to work, trauma and mental health.

Chantal Landry

Occupational Therapist, Kentville Clinic
Chantal received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2017 from Queen's University. Additionally, Chantal has a Bachelor of Kinesiology from Acadia University, which she graduated from in 2015. Chantal began her career as a paediatric occupational therapist at Bower Jacquard Psychological Services before joining the team at Quinte and District Rehabilitation in 2018 where she worked as a school-based occupational therapist. Chantal has experience working with the paediatric population in both a clinic and school setting.   Chantal joined the Lifemark team in 2020, providing services to both children and adults with psychosocial and physical impairments impacting their return to work, home, school or other activities of daily living.

Rehabilitation

Anjana Aji

Physiotherapy Assistant, Kentville Clinic

Summer Bezanson

Physiotherapy Aide, Kentville Clinic

Administrative Staff

Mabyn Conner

Administration

Anna Ruggles

Administration

Alison Sivret

Administration

Katana Alders

Administration

Sheila Tupper

Administration

Andrea Lindsay

Administration