Meet the Staff – Learn More
Founding Director
Laurie Landy, OTR/L llandy@specialstrides.com
Occupational Therapist, is the Founding Director of Special Strides since its inception in 1998. What started with a vision, a notebook, a pencil, four clients, and a great deal of passion has grown into a thriving organization dedicated to improving lives through equine-assisted services. Laurie earned her degree in Occupational Therapy from SUNY Downstate Medical Center and has focused much of her professional career in pediatrics, working in rehabilitation, school systems, Early Intervention, and private practice settings. She is NDT certified and has extensive experience in sensory integration and the integration of equine movement into OT practice. Laurie is passionate about teaching and mentoring teenagers, college students, interns, and professionals as they develop the knowledge and skills needed to help individuals reach their fullest potential through the partnership of therapy and horses. In her roles as Founding Director and Events Coordinator, she finds great fulfillment in mentorship, stewardship, and bringing people together to create meaningful community impact. She enjoys working alongside dynamic teams of volunteers to develop events that raise both funds and awareness, fueled by the belief that “all of us is greater than one of us.” Guided by the values of teamwork and possibility, Laurie remains inspired by new strategies, technologies, and approaches that strengthen sustainability and excellence in service delivery while continuing to improve lives in meaningful ways. She considers her superpower to be bringing people together for the greater good and, ever since childhood, making people smile.
Executive Director
Susie Rehr, PT, MS, Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist srehr@specialstrides.com
Susie has been practicing as a Physical Therapist since 1986 after earning her PT degree from Thomas Jefferson University, where the university’s emphasis on holistic practice helped shape her therapeutic philosophy and vision of care. She began incorporating equine movement into her clinical work in 1998 and has been part of Special Strides since its early years, serving as Executive Director since 2002. In 2021, Susie earned her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Quinnipiac University, further strengthening her ability to guide the growth and mission of the organization. Susie is deeply committed to helping clients make meaningful, functional changes that improve daily life while also supporting and educating parents as essential partners in the therapeutic process. A highlight of her career has been clinical education—teaching, mentoring, and inspiring the next generation of professionals in the integration of equine movement into practice. In her leadership role, she has developed expertise across many areas including grant writing, human resource management, technology integration, and organizational development, all while working to bring the mission and vision of Special Strides to life each day. Guided by the values of learning, teamwork, respect, and possibility, Susie believes that every individual has unique strengths to offer and that growth is always achievable. She considers her superpower to be the ability to take complex concepts and transform them into clear, manageable pieces of information that support understanding, confidence, and progress.
Director of Donor Guidance and Development
Beth Miller
Director of Donor Guidance and Development, has worked in nonprofit development since 2011 and has been part of the Special Strides team since 2016. She is passionate about connecting donors with the meaningful impact of their support and finds deep fulfillment in reading and hearing client and family testimonials that bring those stories to life. Beth values collaboration and enjoys working alongside a dedicated team committed to expanding opportunities for people with disabilities. Guided by a belief in possibility, she approaches her work with curiosity and creativity, always seeking new funding opportunities while learning the unique stories behind each donor’s generosity. Outside of work, Beth loves animals and appreciates the lessons they offer in presence, connection, and nonverbal communication.
Therapy Staff
Jane Burrows, PT, DPT, APCS, CHA E/W, IRD, ESMHL
Jane serves in multiple roles at Special Strides, bringing together decades of clinical expertise, educational leadership, horsemanship, and operational experience to support both clients and the organization as a whole. She has been practicing as a Physical Therapist since 1974, earning her BS in Physical Therapy from Georgia State University and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Boston University in 2005. A lifelong learner, Jane began incorporating equine movement into her clinical practice in 2005 and became a Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist in 2010. Deeply committed to advancing the field, she served on the Board of the American Hippotherapy Association beginning in 2011 and became National President in 2013. Since joining Special Strides in 2017, Jane has combined her work as a therapist, instructor, Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning, and Director of Operations to support meaningful progress for clients, thoughtful education for students, and continued growth for the organization. She is passionate about helping individuals build confidence, communication, and connection through interactions with horses, both on the ground and in the saddle, while also creating efficient, supportive systems for staff and horses behind the scenes. Guided by positivity, teamwork, learning, and patience, Jane brings a thoughtful problem-solving approach to every challenge and believes that careful observation, respect, and collaboration are essential to helping both people and horses thrive.
Christine Eiserle, MAT, MS, CCC-SLP
Christine has been practicing as a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2017 and has incorporated equine movement into her clinical work since 2018, the same year she joined Special Strides. She earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Stockton University and has developed a strong background in behavior management and AAC device implementation, supporting individuals with a wide range of communication and behavioral needs. Christine is skilled in creating individualized, client-centered sessions that promote emotional regulation, engagement, attention, and functional communication through both low-tech and high-tech AAC systems tailored to each client’s strengths and goals. She values collaborating closely with families and interdisciplinary teams to encourage meaningful communication opportunities across daily routines and settings. Christine enjoys integrating equine movement into her practice because she has seen how the rhythm, connection, and motivation provided by the horse can support communication, regulation, confidence, and engagement in lasting ways. She finds the greatest joy in building meaningful relationships with her clients and their families while watching those connections deepen through shared experiences with the horse. Guided by a strong belief in possibility, Christine focuses on strengths, adapts creatively to individual needs, and celebrates progress at every stage. Outside of work, she cares for four horses, two goats, and a dog, and credits her animals with teaching her patience, empathy, and the importance of building trust through consistency, kindness, and respect.
Becca Connors, MAT, MS, CCC-SLP has been practicing as a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2021 and has been volunteering and working at Special Strides since 2023. She earned her BS in Psychology and MAT in Special Education from The College of New Jersey and completed her MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Teachers College, Columbia University. Becca holds her ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) and has special interests in supporting gestalt language processors, children with feeding and swallowing disorders, picky eaters, and literacy development. She is a strong believer in neurodiversity-affirming care and strengths-based therapy, creating engaging, client-centered sessions that make therapy feel meaningful, motivating, and fun. Becca especially enjoys incorporating equine movement into her sessions because of the wide range of therapeutic goals it can support and the way it helps set clients up for success across environments. She values collaborating with families and interdisciplinary teams to support communication growth in creative and individualized ways. In addition to her work at Special Strides, Becca is the owner and Lead SLP of Diffabilities Therapy Collective, a teletherapy private practice. Guided by positivity, encouragement, and optimism, she brings a playful and supportive energy to her work that helps clients build confidence, connection, and communication skills.
Samantha Pellecchia, OTR/L has been practicing as an Occupational Therapist for the past three years and has incorporated equine movement into her clinical work throughout her time at Special Strides. Samantha loves having the opportunity to combine her passion for occupational therapy with her love of animals and nature, creating meaningful and engaging experiences for her clients. She values building strong relationships with new clients and families and enjoys working collaboratively as a team to support each individual’s goals. Guided by kindness, Samantha brings a welcoming and supportive presence to everyone she meets at the farm, including clients, families, and volunteers. She considers her superpower as a therapist to be her ability to make sessions fun, playful, and motivating while fostering connection, confidence, and growth.
Michelle Mimikos, OTR/L
Horsemanship Staff
Charlene Skwara, PATH Intl. CTRI
Charlene serves as both an Adaptive Riding Instructor and Barn Manager at Special Strides, where she has been part of the team since 2010. Charlene has been a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor since 2001 and is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University with a degree in Equine Science. Her background includes owning and caring for both show horses and Standardbred racehorses, as well as working as a technician in a large animal hospital. Charlene’s favorite part of her work is watching clients grow into skilled riders while also ensuring the equine herd remains healthy, happy, and well cared for behind the scenes. Guided by the value of teamwork, she believes strong collaboration between staff, volunteers, and horses is essential to keeping everything running smoothly and creating a positive environment for both clients and animals. Outside of work, Charlene enjoys bowling, playing cornhole, spending summers at the shore, and celebrating Christmas in Florida.
Dina Parrello, CTRI
Dina Parrello holds a Masters in Industrial Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a BA in Psychology from Purdue University. She received her PATH Intl. Registered Instructor Certification from TRAC at Centenary College and also holds the PATH Intl. Equine Specialist Certification in Mental Health and Learning. She had been involved with Therapeutic Riding, as a volunteer and then as a teacher since 2003. She is also the President of HRH of NJ, the state organization for NJ centers and programs that provide Hippotherapy, Therapeutic Riding and Equine Facilitated Learning and Equine Facilitated Mental Health Services.
Deborah O’Hare, ESMHL
Danny Mynhier has been part of the Special Strides team since 2024 and serves as a horse leader during therapy and adaptive riding sessions. Danny enjoys the opportunity to work closely with the horses and support clients during their time at the farm. Guided by the value of teamwork, he believes collaboration is essential both in the barn and during sessions, whether it is working together to keep daily operations running smoothly or partnering with the horse to support the goals of each session. Danny has been riding horses since the age of four and brings a lifelong comfort and connection with horses to his role at Special Strides.
Abbie Marra, has been part of the Special Strides team since 2019 and serves as a horse leader while also working toward her PATH Intl. CTRI certification. Abbie enjoys working closely with clients and finds great fulfillment in watching their progress and growth through therapy. Guided by the value of kindness, she believes that a warm smile, thoughtful questions, and genuine encouragement can make a meaningful impact on the people around her. Outside of work, Abbie enjoys spending time with her family, playing with her rescue dog Ozzy, and trail riding her daughter’s retired show pony, Candy.
