Beth Gaston - Founder
Founder of Strides of Strength Therapeutic Services and Owner of Gaston Farm Road Equestrian Center.
Beth is a native South Carolinian with more than 30 years’ experience in Physical Therapy. She combines a life-long passion for horses, her vast knowledge of the body’s natural healing ability, and her keen understanding of the bond between horses and humans through Strides of Strength Therapeutic Services, Inc., a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization she founded in 2018.
Beth purchased her grandparents’ family farm in 2006 and established Gaston Farm Rd Equestrian Center, the home of Strides of Strength Therapeutic Riding.
“I received my first pony, from Santa, when I was seven. Patty was a black-and-white Shetland, and she was the best equine anyone could ever ask for.
Beth holds a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy, and Level 1 certification in Hippotherapy from the American Hippotherapy Association. Beth is a member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Riding (PATH), South Carolina Woods Ferry Horse Trails Association, South Carolina Upstate Equine Council, assistant coach of 4-H Horse Bowl and Hippology Teams for state, regional and national competitions, and a proud leader of Gaston Farms 4-H Group.
Medical Staff
Sarah Benzing, MS - Occupational Therapist
Marie Gaston - Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant
Anne K. Laing, MS, OTR/L - Occupational Therapist
Sarah received her Master's degree from Lenoir-Rhyne University. She began working in pediatric therapy after she graduated in 2018. Her personal experience with therapy as a teenager is what sparked her passion to become a therapist and help other increase their level of independence. Sarah is currently pursuing her level-one certification in hippotherapy.
Anne K. Laing, MS, OTR/L - Occupational Therapist
Marie Gaston - Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant
Anne K. Laing, MS, OTR/L - Occupational Therapist
Anne attended Wake Forest University and Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine and has been practicing as an OT since 2009. Her clinical interests and areas of expertise include Sensory Integration, handwriting, neurodevelopmental treatment, and feeding. She is certified in Therapeutic Listening and holds a Level 1 Handwriting Without Tears certification. Anne is also an adjunct faculty member in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC. She has loved horses since childhood and competed in one-day eventing as a teenager. Though she mostly keeps her feet on the ground today, Anne is thrilled to be at Strides of Strength and have horses be a part of her occupational therapy practice.
Marie Gaston - Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant
Marie Gaston - Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant
Marie Gaston - Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant
Marie has been practicing as a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant since 1984 in a variety of settings. Her main area of practice has been in-home therapy, which she feels has prepared her for thinking outside of the box and utilizing equines as a therapy tool. Marie has her Level 1 certification in hippotherapy and is also CPR certified.
Equine Staff
Dayna Cabaniss - Horse Handler
Dayna Cabaniss - Horse Handler
Dayna Cabaniss - Horse Handler
With over 25+ years of experience, Dayna has a knowledge for horses like no other. She has been a blessing to our farm for over twelve years. Dayna has been a 4H leader, camp director and is the lead instructor at Gaston Farm Road Equestrian Center. She has a great attitude and work ethic when it comes to handling our horses, and there isn't a horse on our farm that doesn't love Dayna.
JoBeth Holmes - Horse Handler
Dayna Cabaniss - Horse Handler
Dayna Cabaniss - Horse Handler
Growing up, JoBeth always had a special place in her heart for horses but little did she know she also had a special place in her heart for helping others. She was involved with everything and anything horse related, 4H, riding lessons, working on various farms, and the list goes on. It wasn’t until college where she really discovered what she was meant to do. JoBeth joined the fire department and the rest was history. She described being a public servant as a feeling like no other, helping others brings fulfillment to her life. When Strides of Strength was in the making she knew it was something she had to be a part of. Working with horses and helping others is her dream.
Lexi Reinhardt - Horse Handler
Dayna Cabaniss - Horse Handler
Lexi Reinhardt - Horse Handler
Lexi is pursuing a degree as an Occupational Therapy Assistant and soon after hopes to be certified in hippotherapy. She has worked at Gaston Farm Road Equestrian Center since November of 2020; starting out as a volunteer feeder. Lexi has grown up around horses, even taking lessons at Gaston Farm when she was younger. Given the opportunity to work with the therapists, she discovered that hippotherapy is the perfect combination of her two passions, working with horses and helping people. She loves being a horse handler and strives to learn as much as she can about horses and how to help the riders during their sesssions
Office Staff
Leyla Caynak - Development and Marketing Specialist
Leyla has been a member of the Gaston Farm Road Equestrian Center family for eleven years. She and her horse TyeDye (one of our therapy horses) have been partners for twelve years. Leyla graduated from Clemson University in 2021 with a Bachelors of Science in Marketing and a minor in Psychology. With her passion for horses, marketing, and caring for others, she was happy to join Strides of Strength Therapeutic Services and start making a difference.
Volunteer with us!
Join us in making our handmade fresh holiday wreaths! No experience required! Enjoy the fresh farm air, smell of Christmas trees, and the view of horses. Bring your friends and family! Sign up now!