Our Story

Elaina is the face of One Tree Farm, providing professional therapy services to our clients.

She has been an occupational therapist (OT) for 14 years, working with adults and children in acute rehab, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient settings. She has also been an avid horse enthusiast for 30+ years, having owned and competed horses through 2015. She became an OT to combine her passion for horses with helping individuals improve physically, emotionally, and mentally.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation from East Carolina University in 2006. She then spent three years at Maryland General Hospital (now UMMC Midtown Campus) in the acute rehab unit as their Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). In this role, she worked closely with PT, OT, and SLP teams to promote autonomy through meaningful activities.

In 2012, she earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Towson University, along with an Autism Studies Certificate. For the past three years, she has worked in an outpatient pediatric setting, focusing on helping families connect with their children to encourage independence and self-help skills.

At One Tree Farm, she supports neurodivergent children, adults and their families as they navigate sensory integration to promote growth in areas such as fine and gross motor skills, coordination, balance, handwriting, executive functioning, and activities of daily living.

Larissa works behind the scenes at One Tree Farm, supporting the therapists, clients, and horses. as well as the farm and the business.

Larissa's educational background includes a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (2003) and a Master of Business Administration (2008). She pursued her MBA specifically with an eye towards small business and social entrepreneurship, looking ahead to the creation of One Tree Farm.

For more than 25 years, she has worked in the private and public sectors as a Landscape Architect, marketing professional, and a project and construction manager. Her experience has covered a wide range of sectors including land development, residential and commercial engineering, design of private landscapes and public parks.

While it may seem unrelated, Larissa's professional experience translates well to One Tree Farm - developing and managing a working farm, building a business plan, managing finances and logistics, and even public relations and networking.

She has been riding horses since the early 1990s, has competed in eventing and dressage, and has owned and leased horses. Combining her business expertise with her love for horses, Larissa is excited to bring One Tree Farm to life with her sister.