About Response Physical Therapy
Mission
The mission of Response Physical Therapy is to:
- Provide the highest quality, individualized, research based physical therapy.
- Provide a safe, respectful, and enjoyable atmosphere for the patient.
- Collaborate with other healthcare providers to help the patient efficiently reach their healthcare goals.
- Cultivate lifelong relationships that are based on trust and mutual respect.
Dan Cyr, Physical Therapist, Owner and Founder
Dan founded Response Physical Therapy to meet the physical therapy needs of athletes and sports enthusiasts of all ages. He earned his physical therapy degree from the University of New England where he played varsity soccer and club lacrosse. The combination of playing collegiate soccer and his knowledge of the human body has led him to a career specialized in orthopedics and sports medicine. He specializes in the rehabilitation of injuries of the shoulder and knee, orthopedic injuries, and sports injuries. He has 20 years of experience helping injured soccer players, basketball players, golfers, tennis players, and other athletes return to their sport successfully. Dan has served as the head physical therapist for the Carolina Railhawks. He has been a speaker at officially credentialed continuing education conferences. He has created his own ACL injury prevention program and currently conducts education seminars on ACL injury prevention. He offers training and educational seminars for teams, allied health and fitness professionals.
Jeffrey Harrington, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Harrington joined Response Physical Therapy in August 2017 after earning his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from East Carolina University. During his time at ECU, he completed advanced coursework in sports physical therapy and rehabilitation for the injured runner. Prior to physical therapy school, he received his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Appalachian State University.
Jeffrey’s desire to help others return to activity and an overall healthy lifestyle, combined with his passion and knowledge of sports, led him to pursue a career in orthopedics and sports medicine. His clinical interests include injury prevention, post-surgical rehab, and sports-related concussions. Jeffrey believes all patients should receive quality, patient-centered care that is tailored to their specific needs and demands. He is committed to staying up to date on the latest physical therapy evidence and plans to pursue further training related to sports concussions, strength and conditioning, dry needling, and manual therapy.
Jeffrey is originally from Albemarle, NC. He grew up playing soccer, basketball, and baseball, and he has recently enjoyed developing his golf game. He played club soccer while attending Appalachian State University. Jeffrey also enjoys spending time with family and friends, working out, and being outdoors.
Nicole Small, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Small moved to North Carolina to pursue her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Methodist University which she graduated from in 2020. She is originally from Illinois and attended Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science and a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology. As a physical therapist, she enjoys bringing a fun new insight into her patients’ rehabilitation. Her areas of interest include sports and recreational injuries, geriatrics, and post-operative rehabilitation. Her treatment style incorporates a combination of hands-on techniques with a very functional approach to help her patients meet their goals and return to the activities they love.
In her free time, Nicole enjoys the outdoors by hiking, kayaking, and exploring new areas of North Carolina with her fiancé and dog.
Hannah Zhao, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Hannah Zhao is a San Diego native who relocated to North Carolina to attend Duke University, where she competed as a member of the varsity women’s tennis team. She continued her academic journey at Duke, earning her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree with advanced training in sports physical therapy and rehabilitation. During her doctoral studies, she gained valuable clinical experience working with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Dr. Zhao’s background as a collegiate athlete and her commitment to individualized, evidence-based care led her to pursue a career in orthopedic and sports physical therapy. She is currently completing an orthopedic residency to deepen her expertise in managing musculoskeletal conditions and optimizing patient outcomes.
Her clinical interests include working with overhead athletes (such as those in baseball, softball, tennis, and volleyball), injury prevention, and post-operative rehabilitation.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Zhao remains active in the Raleigh Tennis Pro League and enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as exploring the outdoors.
Kevin Outwater, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Outwater is an Ohio native who relocated to North Carolina to attend Duke University, where he earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2022. He specializes in orthopedic and sports physical therapy and is certified in Dry Needling through the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy. Dr. Outwater has experience working with athletes across the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Medicine from the University of Dayton.
Kevin is passionate about helping patients move better, feel better, and return to the activities they enjoy. His approach is shaped by his own experience recovering from sports-related injuries, giving him a unique understanding of both the physical and mental aspects of rehabilitation. He takes a personalized, hands-on approach, integrating strength training, stability work, and movement analysis to address the root cause of pain and dysfunction. His goal is not only to relieve symptoms, but to help patients build long-term resilience and confidence in their movement.
His clinical interests include working with lower extremity athletes—particularly soccer, basketball, and runners—as well as injury prevention and post-surgical rehabilitation.
Outside of the clinic, Kevin enjoys staying active, spending time with family and friends, and traveling and attending concerts with his wife.
Kelsey Smith, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Smith was born and raised in Raleigh, NC and attended UNC-Chapel Hill where she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science. She went on to attend Campbell University where she graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2023. She has orthopedic PT experience treating patients across the lifespan at a variety of outpatient clinics as well as treating a variety of orthopedic conditions including everything from post-surgical rehabilitation to low back pain. Kelsey also has experience treating patients in the hospital within a trauma/surgical intensive care unit. She loves connecting with her patients, learning about their interests, and getting them back to their daily activities and hobbies.
In her free time, Kelsey enjoys going on hikes, rooting on the Carolina Hurricanes, as well as spending time with her family, friends, and two dogs.
Danielle Audain, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Danielle Audain is a physical therapist passionate about helping individuals move better, recover stronger, and return confidently to the activities they love. With a background in inpatient care, she brings a well-rounded perspective and a strong understanding of recovery across all stages of rehabilitation.
Now practicing in the outpatient setting, Danielle works with individuals across all walks of life, with a special interest in active and athletic populations. She combines evidence-based treatment with performance-driven strategies, focusing on acute and post-operative injuries, as well as safe return-to-sport or work progression.
A Raleigh native, Danielle earned her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from UNC Charlotte and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Her background in basketball, volleyball, and track continues to shape her interest in treating athletic injuries and supporting active individuals.
Danielle is committed to creating a collaborative, supportive environment and emphasizes clear communication, individualized care, and long-term injury prevention—helping patients of all ages and activity levels move with confidence.
Outside of the clinic, she continues to expand her skills through continuing education, with the goal of specializing in sports rehabilitation and performance. She is currently certified in dry needling and as an emergency responder for athletes.
Jenny Arostegui, Office Manager
Back to work after 27 years, Dan gave me a chance at a new career. Five great kids with the same awesome guy, I love sports and sappy movies make me cry. We have two dogs but I want a goat, I care about people and what floats your boat. I love to do Sudoku and fish and watch birds, I channel Dr. Seuss because I love rhyming words. Office Manager by day and Super Mom by night, do some things wrong but thankful for the many things that are going right!