Bio
Heather Kassel was born and raised in rural Western New York, where she developed a deep connection to animals, nature, and community. She began her academic journey pursuing pre-veterinary medicine, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Biology/Pre-Veterinary Medicine from Medaille College in May 2017. Shortly after, she married her high school sweetheart and began managing a pet-boarding and doggie daycare facility, where her passion for animal care flourished.
A herniated disc sustained during her work led Heather to physical therapy, which ultimately inspired a career change. After discovering the field of Physical Therapist Assisting (PTA), she made the leap just days before classes began and found her true calling. Heather graduated with her PTA degree in May 2021 and has since dedicated herself to helping patients achieve their rehabilitative goals with functional, patient-centered care. Her diverse experiences have given her a unique understanding of the skills needed to guide patients back to the activities they love.
Heather remains deeply passionate about animal rescue and rehabilitation, volunteering with Akron Canine Rescued Angels and fostering rescue animals. She and her husband share their home with three rescue dogs, two rescue cats, and inherited chickens, and they routinely foster a fourth dog. Outside of her professional life, Heather enjoys traveling, gardening, and spending time in nature. She’s also a dedicated DIY-er, learning the art of home renovation through her first fixer-upper.
A woman of faith, Heather brings compassion, resilience, and a strong drive to her work, helping her patients overcome challenges and return to the activities that bring them joy.