Our Staff
Here at Walk it Off, we are blessed to have very talented, caring and dedicated professionals to work with our clients everyday…
Heather Cairns-Mills, BA Psych, ACP
- Founder/CEO
My name is Heather Cairns-Mills. I am the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Walk It Off. In 1994, I received my BA in Psychology from York University, and spent 3 years studying physical education. I earned my Certificate in Ambulance and Emergency Care from Centennial College in 1995 and later received my Provincial Advance Care Paramedic Certificate.
As a paramedic, I had the opportunity to work for 14 years throughout the province in Simcoe County, Halton/Mississauga and with Toronto Emergency Medical Service (TEMS). While I worked for TEMS, I assisted in spear-heading the Canadian Window Balcony Fall Prevention project with the EMS Chiefs of Canada. My experience includes supervising the Toronto Heat Alert Paramedic Program.
I have been my husband, Kevin Mills’, primary care giver since his accident in February of 2009. This tragedy has giving me both a personal insight and the understanding of the extensive medical requirements of living with someone with a Spinal Cord Injury. I look forward to helping you with your recovery.
Rebecca Wheeler, R.Kin, D.OMP, BHK Hon.
- Registered Kinesiologist and Lead Activity-Based Therapy (ABT) Specialist
- Manual Osteopath
- Clinic Staff/Student Educator
Hello, I’m Rebecca; I am a Registered Kinesiologist with the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario (COKO) and a licensed Manual Osteopath with the National Manual Osteopathic Society (NMOS). I have been working with Walk It Off as a Neuro-Recovery Trainer since 2014 and I love coming in to work every day to help individuals on their path to recovery and wellness.
Before Walk It Off, I graduated from the University of Ottawa with an Honours Bachelor in Human Kinetics and a minor in Psychology. During my undergraduate studies, I completed a clinical placement with the City of Ottawa Post-Stroke and Acquired Brain Injury program; this experience lead me to pursue a career in neurological rehabilitation.
Since joining the Walk It Off team in 2014, I have completed a certificate in Disability Management through Dalhousie University and become a certified Barefoot Training Specialist. I have also completed certification courses in Adaptive Training, K-Taping, Post-Stroke Fitness Specialist, and had the opportunity to work alongside and shadow at Project Walk Orlando. I enjoy the ever-evolving nature of neurological rehabilitation and love to continue learning to help keep Walk It Off current on the latest and greatest!
In 2022 I graduated from the Southern Ontario College of Osteopathy to attain my Diploma in Osteopathic Manual Practice (D.OMP). During this program, I completed extensive schooling in manual osteopathic treatment, clinical placement and examinations, and a thesis on An Osteopathic Approach to Regulation of Orthostatic Hypotension in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury. I’m thrilled to combine my passion for adaptive exercise and movement with the holistic, hands-on treatment of osteopathy.
I have always loved being active. I grew up playing and coaching competitive soccer and basketball in the Newmarket area. Now my favourite thing is exploring new hiking trails with my dog and my partner. You can usually catch me enjoying a good cup of coffee or running off to curling.
Kayli Jamieson BScKin, MScPT
- Registered Physiotherapist
- Activity-Based-Therapy Specialist
- Clinic Staff/Student Educator
Hello, I’m Kayli. I am a Registered Physiotherapist with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.
I Graduated from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland with a Master’s of Science degree in Physiotherapy in 2019. Previous to that, I graduated from Dalhousie University with a BSc Kinesiology in 2015.
My passion for neurological rehabilitation really grew back in 2016 when I was a volunteer at Walk it Off, and that passion and desire for knowledge in the neurological field continued throughout my schooling. While completing my Masters I was able to experience a diverse placement experience:
- Paediatric Community Neurology (specializing in Cerebral Palsy)
- Acute-care Stroke rehabilitation
- Intensive Care and Surgical Rehab
- Acute inpatient Geriatric Care
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Growing up I was involved in competitive synchronized figure skating, and leisure water sports. The competitive spirit and teamwork has lent well to helping guide and encourage individuals through their wellness and recovery journeys!
Kristen Shigeishi, BScKin, MScPT
- Registered Physiotherapist
- Activity-Based-Therapy Specialist
Hello! My name is Kristen, I am a Physiotherapist with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. I graduated from Queen’s University in 2024 with a Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy. Throughout the program, I completed several placements across the GTA and one placement in the UK, working in a variety of settings with diverse populations ranging from adolescents to geriatrics. I have also worked with individuals with neurological impairments, such as spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, and traumatic brain injuries; complex traumas, such as amputees and prolonged disorder of consciousness; cardiorespiratory conditions, including COPD and pneumonia; and a wide variety of orthopedic conditions. During my Masters, I completed a placement at Walk It Off where I nurtured a deeper passion for working with individuals with neurological conditions. I strive to creatively adapt exercises and collaborate with clients to holistically work towards their goals.
In 2022, I graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Science Kinesiology. During my undergraduate degree, I volunteered at the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE), where I worked with individuals with spinal cord injuries, stroke, multiple sclerosis, cancer, cardiac conditions, and seniors to assist and supervise individualized exercise programs in collaboration with Registered Physiotherapists and Kinesiologists. Volunteering at PACE sparked my initial interest in working with individuals with neurological conditions. This experience taught me how to adapt my support so that I optimize each individual’s session to best suit their needs and rehabilitation, and showed me the resilience and capabilities of the human body. I also have previous experience working with clients in an orthopedic setting, as well as leading seniors’ exercise classes.
In my free time, I enjoy travelling, watching sports, and spending time with family and friends. I grew up playing a variety of sports, including field hockey and flag football, and you can often find me cheering for the Toronto Maple Leafs with my family.
I look forward to getting to know you, and closely partnering together in your physiotherapy journey.
Maria-Laura Loughran
- Osteopathic Manual Practitioner
Hi! I’m Maria-Laura, an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner. I began my journey in healthcare at Brock University where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. I developed a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and exercise science, which deepened my curiosity about how the body moves, adapts, and heals. During my time at Brock, I completed a placement with PowerCord, a spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery gym, where I taught fitness classes and worked one-on-one with clients of varying abilities.
To expand my knowledge and support people in a more hands-on and holistic way, I then went on to complete an intensive four-year Master in Practice of Osteopathic Manipulative Sciences (M.OMSc) at the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy in Hamilton, Ontario. I am a proud member of OSTCAN and completed over 4200 hours of osteopathic education, including more than 1000 hours of supervised clinical practice.
Throughout my training, I developed a deep understanding of the osteopathic principles that guide my approach to care. I view the body as a dynamic, interconnected unit where all systems work together, and has the ability to self-heal and self-regulate. My osteopathic approach focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of pain and dysfunction, not just managing symptoms. By working with the muscles, joints, bones, fascia, nervous system, and other interconnected systems, osteopathy can help restore balance, improve mobility, and enhance circulation.
My goal is to create a welcoming, supportive space where patients feel heard and cared for. Growing up as a competitive Irish dancer and staying active in many sports, I’ve experienced firsthand the demands that movement can place on the body—and the injuries that can come with it. Having gone through my own recovery journey, I deeply understand the process of healing and the care it takes to regain strength and mobility. I bring this experience into my practice, helping patients move better, feel stronger, and improve their overall well-being.
