Two women, both wearing sunglasses, are smiling and standing next to a brown horse with a white stripe on its face. One woman has blonde hair and is wearing a light-colored plaid shirt, while the other has light brown hair and is wearing a floral shirt. They are outdoors, with a grassy area and a wooden fence in the background.

Therapy Strides was founded by Pam Benson and Karen Carver, inspired by their shared passion for using horses to help children with communication challenges.

Karen Carver, M.A., CCC-SLP

Karen Carver has been a Speech-Language Pathologist for more than 36 years, serving as a clinical supervisor at The Ohio State University’s Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic and as a licensed Special Education Administrator in public schools. She has also contributed to shaping education policy in Ohio and was recently honored with an invitation to review the Ohio Board of Speech and Hearing Professionals’ Pillars of a Healthy Caseload Approach for school-based practitioners.

Karen is Co-Founder and Director of Educational Programming for Therapy Strides, Inc., which in 2025 partnered with The Ohio State University to launch a pilot camp combining equine interaction with speech and language therapy. The program was featured in local news and professional publications for its innovative approach and measurable outcomes.

As she transitions from her role in Columbus City Schools, Karen is focused on expanding Therapy Strides’ equine-based clinical services and building university-community partnerships to support children with communication disorders.

Pam Benson

Pamela Benson was born in Dayton, Ohio, and is the youngest of four children. She pursued higher education at The Ohio State University, earning her bachelor's degree in 1987. Her academic journey then led her to Capital University Law School, where she became a member of the Capital University Law Review. She graduated with a Juris Doctorate in 1990.

It was during her time at Capital that Pamela met her future husband, William Benson. The two were married in September 1990 and together, they raised four children—three sons and one daughter.

Professionally, Pamela has dedicated her career to serving the Federal Government and the Department of Defense (DoD) since 1990. She began her tenure as a federal prosecutor for the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA), where she worked until 2018. In that year, she transitioned to a role as a federal administrative judge for DOHA, where she has since focused on safeguarding the nation's classified information.

Nadine Whiteman

With over 30 years of experience, Nadine Whiteman brings expertise and energy to the field of speech-language pathology. Specializing in speech sound disorders and oral and written language, she has helped countless children and families discover the power of communication. Since 1996, Nadine has shared her knowledge as a dedicated preceptor at The Ohio State University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, guiding graduate clinicians as they grow into confident professionals.

University Partner

A woman with short white hair and glasses, smiling, wearing a blue top, outdoors.