CENTER X EQUINE THERAPY Occupational & Physical Therapy with Equine Movement
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Meet the Team

Clinical & Equine Team

Center X brings together licensed therapy and expert horsemanship. These are the specialists who guide and care for every session.

Kathryn Sarracino, Occupational Therapist at Center X Equine Therapy

Kathryn Sarracino, MS, OTR/L

Founder & Occupational Therapist

A licensed Occupational Therapist with 20+ years in pediatric care, Kathryn blends OT with the therapeutic power of horses to help children grow in confidence and independence.

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About

Kathryn Sarracino, MS, OTR/L is a licensed Occupational Therapist with over 20 years of experience supporting children and families in school, clinic, and community-based settings. She specializes in pediatric occupational therapy, helping children build the skills needed for greater independence, confidence, emotional regulation, sensory processing, motor development, and meaningful participation in everyday life.

Kathryn’s passion for equine-assisted therapy grew when her daughters began riding horses. Watching their experiences, she quickly recognized the profound connection between horse and rider and the meaningful impact it could have on confidence, emotional well-being, regulation, and overall participation in daily life.

Inspired by this experience, Kathryn combines her occupational therapy background with the therapeutic power of horses to create meaningful, relationship-centered experiences that foster growth, connection, confidence, and independence for every client.

Background & credentials

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, University of New England · Licensed in California · NBCOT certified · CPR certified · American Hippotherapy Association Part 1A complete · 20+ years of pediatric OT experience.

Services

Occupational therapy incorporating equine movement; fine-motor, sensory regulation, and daily-activity goals.

Dr. Robyn Wyzinski, PT, DPT, HPCS, CERP

Director of Therapeutics & Therapist

A Doctor of Physical Therapy and Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist with more than 20 years in pediatric care, Robyn leads clinical practice at Center X.

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About

Dr. Robyn Wyzinski, PT, DPT, HPCS, CERP, serves as Director of Therapeutics at Center X. A Doctor of Physical Therapy with more than two decades of clinical experience, she has specialized in pediatric care and in the therapeutic use of equine movement throughout her career.

Robyn earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy and a BA in Human Health Science from Clarke University. She is a Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CERP), trained through the University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical School, and a Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist (HPCS) recognized by the American Hippotherapy Association — specialist-level training in the biomechanics of horse and rider. A lifelong equestrian, she has also served as an FEI physiotherapist at the World Equestrian Games.

At Center X, Robyn shapes the clinical foundation of every program, ensuring therapy is evidence-based, individualized, and centered on the well-being of both rider and horse.

Background & credentials

Doctor of Physical Therapy & BA in Human Health Science, Clarke University · Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CERP), University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical School · Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist (HPCS), American Hippotherapy Association · 20+ years as a pediatric physical therapist · FEI physiotherapist, 2018 World Equestrian Games.

Kristie Bigham, Equine Specialist at Center X Equine Therapy, on a bay dressage horse

Kristie Bigham

Equine Specialist & Head Trainer

A USDF “L” Program Graduate and lifelong horsewoman, Kristie brings a judge’s eye and is, above all, an advocate for every horse in her care.

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About

Kristie Bigham is a USDF “L” Judge Program Graduate, competitive dressage rider, and trainer/instructor whose work spans the full career of the horse. She brings a judge’s eye, a competitor’s instincts, and a lifetime of hands-on experience.

A former NCAA scholarship athlete at Lake Erie College in Ohio, Kristie has built a career grounded in both the science and the art of horsemanship. A USDF Bronze Medalist and diploma holder from USDF University, she has pursued her education with the same rigor she brings to her work as a trainer/instructor. She is a foal and development specialist; her background further includes breeding programs and facility management — giving her a whole-horse perspective that informs every partnership she facilitates.

At Center X, she draws on that full breadth of experience to meet each horse exactly where they are. She is, above all, an advocate for the horse — and that commitment is the thread that runs through every aspect of her work.

Background & credentials

USDF “L” Program Graduate · USDF Bronze Medalist · USDF University diploma · Former NCAA athlete, Lake Erie College · Foal & development specialist.

Board of Directors

Center X is guided by a dedicated board committed to our families, our participants, and the well-being of our horses.

Kelly Russo, Chief Executive Officer of Center X Equine Therapy

Kelly Russo

Chief Executive Officer

Kelly built Center X to bring neuroaffirming, life-changing equine therapy to San Diego families.

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Kelly Russo leads Center X Equine Therapy as Chief Executive Officer. She helped bring Center X to life to provide adaptive riding and hippotherapy to the San Diego community — programs designed especially for children with neurodivergent needs, including children on the autism spectrum.

Center X’s approach draws on the connection, movement, and trust between horse and rider to build physical balance, coordination, and confidence while supporting emotional healing. Under Kelly’s leadership, the mission is twofold: deliver neuroaffirming, life-changing therapy to children, and build a supportive community around each family’s healing journey.

Kelly has carried Center X’s story beyond the barn — she and Dr. Robyn Wyzinski were featured on the podcast Finding Hope on the Spectrum, talking with families about navigating neurodiversity through the unique power of horses.

Ann Dee Lynn Tullie

Chief Financial Officer

Ann Dee oversees Center X’s operations and finances, keeping the mission on solid ground.

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Ann Dee Lynn Tullie helps lead Center X’s operations and finances. She provides general oversight and direction of the organization’s business and affairs and serves as its acting treasurer and secretary, ensuring the nonprofit runs on a strong, sustainable foundation so its therapy programs can grow.

Tiffany Young, Director of Patient Advocacy at Center X Equine Therapy

Tiffany Young

Director of Patient Advocacy

A storyteller and communicator, Tiffany champions families and helps the community understand the power of equine-assisted therapy.

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Tiffany Young serves as Director of Patient Advocacy at Center X, where she champions the families the program serves and helps the wider community understand the impact of hippotherapy and equine-assisted services for children with disabilities.

Based in San Diego, Tiffany brings a background in media and broadcast production, with years of experience as a reporter and storyteller. She puts those communication skills to work for Center X — giving voice to participants and their families, building awareness, and connecting the community to the mission.

Meet the horses

Our therapy horses are chosen for their calm temperament and steady movement.

Melody

Palomino · 13.2 hh Welsh Pony · 25 years old

Bio

A seasoned 25-year-old Welsh Pony and former show jumper, now bringing her steady, experienced presence to therapy sessions.

Calla

Chestnut · 14.3 hh Quarter Horse mare · 19 years old

Bio

A 19-year-old Quarter Horse mare with a rich working past as a rodeo star and ranch horse, now a calm, dependable partner in the arena.

With gratitude — and an invitation

Thank you to our sponsors

Our horses and participants are supported by generous sponsors. See our sponsor recognition and learn how to sponsor a horse or rider on the Support the Mission page.

See Sponsor Recognition

Join our volunteer team

We especially welcome licensed therapists and people with PT, OT, or equine-management experience — but everyone is welcome and training is provided.

Volunteer With Us