Emily Perkins, PT, DPT, COMT, CERP, is a physical therapist, educator, lifelong horse girl, and founder of Perkins Equine Therapy. A Fort Wayne native, Dr. Perkins graduated from Bishop Luers High School before earning her bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from Purdue University and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. She is also a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist and Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner. Her career has taken her through acute care, home health, outpatient orthopedics, and now to physical therapy education.
Teaching was always somewhere in the cards. Dr. Perkins grew up watching Gammers, her grandmother and a devoted teacher, make a difference in the lives of her students. That influence stuck with her and eventually inspired her to add educator to her own list of job titles. Today, she gets to combine her love of physical therapy with her love of teaching while helping prepare the next generation of PTs.
Horses, however, came long before physical therapy. Dr. Perkins has been working with them for more than 30 years, and combining her PT background with her lifelong love of horses eventually led to Perkins Equine Therapy. Naturally, one horse was never going to be the extent of the animal situation.
Dr. Perkins and her husband, Andrew Perkins PT, DPT, COMT, AIB-VRC—also a physical therapist!—share their home and lives with what could reasonably be considered a small zoo. The current roster includes: three dogs, Milo, Reggie, and Petey; four cats, Callie, Oliver, Bilbo, and Creature; and four chickens, Audrey, Drizella, Hazel, and Henrietta. Rounding out the crew is Shaq, her AQHA gelding and the undisputed love of her life. Andrew, her husband of 15 years, has accepted his ranking in the household.
When she isn’t teaching, treating, riding, or taking care of someone with four legs, Dr. Perkins loves spending time with friends and family and trying new foods. She is always willing to try a new restaurant and firmly believes that trying something you’ve never had before is part of the fun.
She is also a devoted Halloween enthusiast and roller coaster fan. Every year, the Drs. Perkinses make their annual pilgrimage to Cedar Point to celebrate her favorite holiday at Halloweekends, and ride as many roller coasters as possible. Apparently, spending your free time being launched hundreds of feet into the air at high speed is considered “relaxing” when you live on a farm. At the end of the day, Dr. Perkins is happiest surrounded by the people she loves—with her animals nearby, good food on the table, and the next adventure already being planned.