Meet Our Staff

The staff at Paso Robles Physical Therapy has over 100 years of combined experience in physical and occupational therapy. Their diverse background includes training in treating conditions as varied as sports injuries, strokes and neurological disorders, vestibular dysfunction, back and neck pain disorders, shoulder, hip, knee and ankle rehabilitation. Their training encompasses techniques including strength training, joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, ergonomics, balance and vestibular rehabilitation, and neuromuscular facilitation. Since the emphasis of treatment here is assessment of dysfunction, the one-on-one care is essential in accomplishing beneficial outcomes for our patients. Through ongoing post-graduate training, our staff stays at the cutting edge of our respective fields. We encourage you to meet them. Some details of their education, work training, and occupational history are below.

Tony Wallace, PT
Co-Owner
​Director of Atascadero Clinic

Tony Wallace, PT, owner and director of PRPT, was born and raised in Southern California. He graduated from Long Beach State with a degree in physical therapy in 1980. After starting his career at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, he decided to transplant to the California Central Coast in 1982. Bringing his wife and two boys, he settled in Atascadero and went to work at Twin Cities Hospital. He and Lisa added two more boys along the way and love living on the Central Coast. The boys are grown and now there are grandsons to enjoy!

After directing another private PT office in Paso Robles for 13 years, he decided to strike out on his own. The result is Paso Robles Physical Therapy. Tony has had extensive experience in treating all manner of orthopedic difficulties over the years. "I love it all. Everyone is unique and every problem offers a unique challenge for recovery". Of particular interest is acute and recurrent back and neck pain conditions.

Tony has stayed on the leading edge of out-patient rehabilitation through continuing education courses and journal reading as well as an ongoing dialogue with the staff of PRPT. The environment in the clinic is fun and challenging. "I think of PRPT as a family. We love working together."

Wendy Westphal, PT, MPT
Co-owner
​Director of Pediatric Rehabilitation
Director of Lake Nacimiento & Paso Robles Clinics

Wendy graduated from CSU Northridge with her MPT in 2001. She worked at an outpatient orthopedic setting for over one year after graduation in addition to acute and subacute hospital setting dealing with primarily neurological dysfunction. Wendy left this setting to work with children with special needs which included orthopedic, neurological and muscle disorders for children, adolescents and young adults aged 0-21 years of age. She has recently transitioned to PRPT to incorporate all her skills that she has developed through out her career to all age groups and diagnoses. Wendy is excited to be a part of the growth and changes that we are making at PRPT which include utilizing her expertise with children of all ages, myofacial release technique, NDT (neurodevelopmental technique), strength training utilizing traditional methods as well as TRX and functional skills training in the clinic and in the community. Wendy is the proud mother of 31 year old twins. She enjoys running, volleyball, kayaking, hiking, camping, dirt biking, boating and learning to paddle board as well as surf. Wendy also enjoys cooking, scrap booking, card making and other crafts when she has time. She also enjoys teaching strength training classes incorporating TRX, therapy ball, and Pilates mat to develop and enhance postural control for injury prevention.

Jennifer Metzler, PT, DPT, OCS
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist

​Jennifer received her Master’s of Physical Therapy degree from Fresno State in 2008. Soon
after she moved to the Central Coast to work in outpatient orthopedics for over 10 years.
Jennifer completed her orthopedic residency program and obtained her transitional Doctorate
of Physical Therapy degree in 2012. She even worked a couple of years in a home health
setting to provide orthopedic care to those who were recovering from their recent joint
replacement surgeries.
Jennifer became a board certified clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy, is a member
of the America Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and she also completed additional training in concussion management, myofascial decompression techniques and chronic pain science.
In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys swimming/snorkeling, traveling, attending concerts/sporting
events, gardening and spending time with family, friends and her pets.

​Melissa Rasmussen, PT, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy

​Melissa grew up locally in Templeton before she attended CSU Long Beach for her undergraduate degree where she studied Kinesiology and Childhood Development. During college and before attending graduate school, she volunteered at the Women and Children's Hospital of Long Beach, worked as an aide in outpatient physical therapy clinics, and taught ballet classes to children and adults. She received her doctorate of Physical Therapy at Fresno State University and spent her last clinical rotation at Paso Robles Physical Therapy with Wendy Westphal. It was with Wendy that she learned the ins and outs of treating pediatrics in the outpatient setting. Currently she works full time with PRPT with the majority of her caseload being pediatrics. She looks forward to growing the pediatric program through community outreach and awareness!
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Alyson Amenta, PT, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Director or Neurologic Rehab

Alyson earned her Bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) at Fresno State. While earning her Doctorate, she spent time in clinical settings including neurological rehab, orthopedics, and home health. She also participated in and conducted research with fall-risk prevention, balance outcome measures, and the benefits of power training with decreasing fall risk. Her professional career includes work in the acute rehabilitation setting with neurological cases including CVA, brain injury rehabilitation, and Parkinson’s. She has a certification with PWR!Moves and is a Certified Neurological Specialist.  She has a passion for the neurologic population as well as orthopedics, and enjoys incorporating her passions of biomechanics, strength training, and gait mechanics into both neurological and orthopedic cases. Outside of work, Alyson enjoys all things in nature including surfing, paddling, hiking, running, and drinking coffee.

Grace Elgin, PTA

Grace was born and raised on the Central Coast where she received her AS in Math
and Science before moving to Visalia to attend the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at College of the Sequoias. Upon graduating and receiving her PTA license in 2019, she began working at a large orthopedic outpatient clinic. There she developed her skills in treating various pathologies which included post surgical patients, balance
and vestibular, overuse/repetitive use injuries, headaches, cervical/thoracic/lumbar pain, sports injuries, fall prevention, elbow/wrist/hand injuries, and numerous other conditions.
She is also MDT certified for both cervical and lumbar spine. Grace is passionate about treating her patients with the most up-to-date, evidence-based interventions to both efficiently and effectively meet the goals of each individual. When Grace is not at work, she enjoys hiking, mountain biking, working out, playing soccer, rollerblading and backpacking. She also spends time with her family and friends, having home barbecues, and watching live music.

Chelcy Johnson
Director of Operations

Chelcy received her Bachelors degree from Cal Poly SLO with a concentration in Community Recreation and Non Profit Administration. Her education at Cal Poly has afforded her the exceptional ability to manage the administrative ad opertational aspects of all 3 of PRPT's clinics. She is also a Certified Functional Movement Specialist, Personal Trainer, PWR Parkinsons Wellness Recovery Certified, Certified Nutrition Coach, and Registered Yoga Teacher. Chelcy played competitive volleyball in college for Moorpark College and for the University of South Carolina Upstate. Chelcy has worked with children as a volunteer for California Children Services of Ventura County, managed a gym for kids, and coached volleyball. You may find her teaching yoga in local yoga studios and training clients at our locations. She has 2 year old twin boys. She loves  being near the water, and enjoying local wine and beer.

Matt Rodriguez, M.S., CSCS, USAW1
​Exercise Specialist

Matt Rodriguez holds a Master of Science in Kinesiology from Cal Poly Pomona and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) as well as a USA Weightlifting Level 1 (USAW) coach. He has recently moved from the Los Angeles area to the Central Coast and will be serving this new community and region. He has been training clients professionally for 9 years, working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including general population (non-athletes), athletes, and sports teams. Matt has coached two USA Weightlifting clubs, leading weightlifters to local competition medals and national competition qualifications. He has also taught Yoga and Meditation at Cal Poly Pomona for 5 years. He offers individual personal training and small group classes in general strength training, sports performance, and yoga/meditation.

Aimee Neto
​Front Office Manager

​Aimee Neto was born and raised in the Northern Central Valley and has lived on the Central Coast since August 2015. After her and her husband of 20 years had their two children & being a stay at home mom for 6 years she was eager to get back to work! She has years of customer service experience, loves to assist and put a smile on our patients faces. Her on the job training has taught her the skills to be a successful physical therapy aide to our front and back office and she loves being a part of PRPT! On her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, watching her son & daughter in their extra curricular activities & going to the beach!