Academy allows PT students to serve

Danielle Bull, a second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) student from Gainesville, Georgia, earned her bachelor's degree in kinesiology with a concentration in exercise science from UNG in May 2025. She was grateful to be able to dive into the existing literature on exercise research as part of a team of nine DPT students to craft workouts for the kids.

"We want to reinforce healthy body movements so they can get stronger and prevent injuries in the future," Bull said. "We will have them slow down and emphasize the importance of developing fundamental movement patterns. There's a lot of science to it. Our goal when building the workouts is to target certain muscle groups while making it fun for the kids."

Bull plans to be a pediatric physical therapist once she finishes her DPT.

"It's great for me because it's what I want to do for a living," Bull said. "We're working with young athletes, and it challenges me to be creative."

Colleen Thorson, a second-year DPT student from Suwanee, Georgia, was a softball player for Agnes Scott College during her undergraduate days. She plans to work as a sports physical therapist.

"This opportunity is confirming that for me," Thorson said. "I enjoy meeting the athletes where they are developmentally."