About the Founder
Bernie DeWit OTR/L started her own therapy company in 2013. Bernie has been a practicing Occupational Therapist since 1988 and has been incorporating hippotherapy in her sessions since 2002. She has extensive experience working in a variety of settings including pediatric home health, aquatic therapy, outpatient therapy clinics, assisted living and adult home health, acute admissions and outpatient psychiatric clinics,
Bernie uses a variety of approaches and techniques, geared towards improving function at home and at school. Her multifaceted approach includes movement, sensory input, behavioral approaches and educational activities.
She is a level one and level two registered American Hippotherapy Association Therapist and a PATH International Certified and Registered Instructor.
Accreditation
American Occupational Therapy Association
*Level II – A therapist who has completed both Level I and II AHA Approved Courses who demonstrates clinical problem solving with respect to clinical reasoning, the Hippotherapy Conceptual Framework and application of the Disablement Model. They have clinical application of NDT, SI and Motor Learning within the hippotherapy treatment strategy.
Meet the Team
Big Stride Therapy is a family owned and family run business with each member providing their essential skills.
Bernie DeWit OTR/L started her own therapy company in 2013. Bernie has been a practicing Occupational Therapist since 1988 and has been incorporating hippotherapy in her sessions since 2002. She has extensive experience working in a variety of settings including pediatric home health, aquatic therapy, outpatient therapy clinics, assisted living and adult home health, acute admissions and outpatient psychiatric clinics,
Bernie uses a variety of approaches and techniques, geared towards improving function at home and at school. Her multifaceted approach includes movement, sensory input, behavioral approaches and educational activities.
She is a level one and level two registered American Hippotherapy Association Therapist and a PATH International Certified and Registered Instructor.
Accreditation
American Occupational Therapy Association
- Certified PATH International Instructor
- Level II American Hippotherapy Association *
*Level II – A therapist who has completed both Level I and II AHA Approved Courses who demonstrates clinical problem solving with respect to clinical reasoning, the Hippotherapy Conceptual Framework and application of the Disablement Model. They have clinical application of NDT, SI and Motor Learning within the hippotherapy treatment strategy.
Meet the Team
Big Stride Therapy is a family owned and family run business with each member providing their essential skills.
Matt DeWit
Matt is the CFO of Big Stride Therapy. He is in charge of the financial and bookkeeping side of the business. He can also be found clearing the trails, upgrading the mounting block and generally supporting the business as needed.
Cara DeWit
Cara has been riding since she was 2 years old and has been involved in Big Stride Therapy since she was old enough to exercise the horses. She has used her extensive horse and riding experience to assist with training and managing the horses to keep them happy, healthy and fit for therapy. In recent years, Cara has been responsible for Big Stride Therapy billing and creating and managing the invoices.
Keely DeWit
Keely has been involved in the business since she was old enough to sidewalk and work with the clients. She is our marketing and media specialist and is responsible for running social media pages as well as helping with the website. Keely graduated in 2024 from the Terry college of business at The University of Georgia.
