Staff
Donna Blem, Executive Director of InStride was raised in Nokomis and has served as Executive Director for InStride Therapy since its inception in 1994. Under Donna’s leadership, InStride has grown from a small grass roots program to being one of the leading Hippotherapy programs in the Southeastern US. Ms. Blem is a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and manages the day-to-day operation of InStride. She successfully developed and managed a two year capital campaign to purchase the current 76 acre site and another to build a complete therapeutic riding facility. Ms Blem was awarded the 40 under 40 Business Award in 2005 and is a recent graduate of the Gulf Coast Leadership Institute.
Donna has evented and ridden dressage for most of her life and is currently working on obtaining her Level 3 in Parelli Natural Horsemanship. She has the perfect combination of a personal love of horses and a professional desire to provide quality services to better the lives of clients throughout the community.
Mary Nastan, Founder of InStride is a true Floridian, native-born in Fort Lauderdale and a graduate of University of Florida Health Related Sciences in Physical Therapy. Mary has served on numerous boards including National-American Hippotherapy Association/Muscular Dystrophy Association, State Early Development Counciland the United Cerebral Palsy Association. Mary has over 31 years of clinical experience in physical therapy with specialization in Hippotherapy, Aquatic Therapy, Pediatric Developmental Therapy, and Cranio Sacral Therapy. Special interests include equine studies, gardening, and boating. Married to Richard Nastan, their daughter Stacey is a recent graduate of USF.
InStride is fortunate to have Sue Button as a senior instructor. Moving from Colorado 9 years ago and with an extensive equestrian background, Sue began as a volunteer with InStride. Her calling to be around horses brought her to InStride, but it was the powerful impact the horses have on the children that has kept her here. Sue is a NARHA-certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and is currently working on obtaining her level 2 in Parelli Natural Horsemanship.
Mike Bigner, Mike joined InStride as Business Development Officer. He has consulted with a variety of community corporations across the United States, with a current emphasis in Florida. His areas of expertise includes planning and change management, Governance, social entrepreneurship, business development, and facilitation. For the past 11 years Mike directed grant making, initiatives, assessments, and research for the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice. During the prior 20 years Mike owned a leading technology company that created large-scale communication and control systems for U.S. hospitals and industry. He has also taught at elementary school and college levels, and served as Dean of Academics for Keiser College. Mike earned a B.A. in Communications and Marketing from the University of Dayton, an MBA in Management from Xavier University and has benefitted from advanced nonprofit governance, leadership and corporate management training.
It only took 8 months in a volunteer role to realize that Cindy Eaton was destined to join the staff of InStride. Cindy’s official title is Program Coordinator – and she is still an active volunteer sidewalker. Born in Michigan, Cindy moved to Nokomis is 1969. In addition to her responsibilities at InStride, she also manages the business side of T &M Construction, Inc. for her husband, Ted.
A native Floridian, Linda Frease left Gainesville in 1997 to join InStride in 1997. Linda, an avid equestrian is a NARHA Registered Therapist as well as an Occupational Therapist. She received her Masters in Health Science and Occupational Therapy from the University of Florida. She has been a registered member of AHA since 1997 and is the Florida state liaison. She is currently participating in the faculty development process with AHA.
Charlene Emmons, a Sarasota native and University of Florida graduate, was introduced to hippotherapy in 1996 by Mary Nastan. In 1998 and 1999 Charlene coordinated Camp Hippo. She has worked exclusively with pediatrics, holding various certifications in Sensory Integration and Pediatric Treatment Perspectives as well as certification in Electro Therapeutic Point Stimulation (ETPS). With the help of many volunteers, she has provided services at Oak Park School for two years.
Coming from Manitoba, Canada, Leah Kain, PT, brings over 20 years of experience, primarily in orthopaedics to InStride. Horses have been a part of her life since childhood which may have been what sparked her interest in hippotherapy during her training at the University of Western Ontario. Leah is an AHA (American Hippotherapy Association) Registered Therapist.
Another long time Physical Therapist is Cindy Cassio. Coming from New Hampshire, Cindy is an AHA Registered Therapist and also employed at Children’s Therapy Works in Sarasota. Along with her expertise in working with client’s physical issues, she has a keen awareness of emotional issues which must be addressed to heal the whole person.
Venice born and raised, Jamie Lane came to InStride Therapy one year ago. After graduating from Venice High School she traveled the United States with friends and practicing natural horsemanship. Owning her own horses have given her excellent insight to share her skills as an Assistant Riding Instructor.