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In This Issue
Corporate Sponsorship
APHA
Disaster Relief
Call for Papers
Adaptive Sports Training Survey
HHRF Call for Proposals
Loop Abroad
America's Horse Cares
PATH Intl. Veterinarians Receive Humanitarian Award
Equine Tips
Volunteer Opportunity
Workshops and Certifications
Quick Links


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PATH Intl. Sponsors
If you have questions about sponsoring PATH Intl. or exhibiting at the 2013 PATH Intl. Conference & Annual Meeting, please contact

Megan Ream Ferry

 

Title Sponsor

Purina

 

Platinum Sponsor
Bimeda/Equimax

Equine Network/AIM
Tekna Saddles 

 

Gold Sponsors

Bayer Healthcare Animal Health

Markel 

 

Silver  

Adequan 

Equisure

 

Bronze    

American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)  
AQHA  
Ariat  

 

Pewter

Breyer  

Populous
Triple Crown Nutrition 
WESA      

Corporate Members

Advertise your product to 7,500 PATH Intl. Instructors and 850 Member Centers. Join PATH Intl. as a Corporate Member. Corporate members receive discounts on advertising in PATH Intl. Strides, exhibiting at the international conference and social media posts.

 

Check it out on the PATH Intl. Corporate Sponsorship page. Any questions, contact Megan Ferry or call her at (303) 452-1212, ext. 107.

PATH Intl. and APHF Team Up to Provide Scholarships

PATH Intl. and the American Paint Horse Foundation have teamed up to provide scholarships for PATH Intl. therapeutic riding certification. Designed to benefit those who wish to further their education, this alliance will provide scholarship assistance to potential instructors of therapeutic riding. Click here for more information. Applications must be postmarked by March 1, 2013.  

PATH Intl. Gives Back

Hurricane Sandy devastated the eastern seaboard of the United States in late October and early November 2012. Unfortunately, the buildings of Staten Island Recreation Association, a PATH Intl. Center in New York, were also completely destroyed. Because of past donations from members, the PATH Intl. Disaster Relief Fund is able to help fund the feed and care of their horses while the center rebuilds this spring.

 

Please contribute to the Disaster Relief Fund and hopefully help meet the needs of the next disaster victim. Thank you for your support!    

Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International

    February 19, 2013 

PATH Intl. Region 7 Conference to Be Rescheduled Due to Impending Winter Weather

Due to the treacherous weather being forecast to hit the Omaha, NE, area, the hard decision has been made to try to reschedule the PATH Intl. Region 7 conference for September.

 

Safety and well-being are the cornerstones of this association. And those ideals not only apply to your participants, but in this instance they apply to you, the members, who might be driving in dangerous conditions. We apologize greatly for any inconvenience this rescheduling may cause.

 

Upon the decision regarding a rescheduled date, all registrants will be notified and any amendments to the standard cancellation policy will also be addressed at that time.

 

A huge thank-you goes to the hard-working host committee who worked tirelessly to put together this excellent schedule and event. We will make every attempt to retain all of the speakers scheduled for this weekend. (As of this morning two of the speakers had already canceled due to the ominous forecast.)

 

Stay safe and warm! We will get back to everyone ASAP with rescheduling information.
2013 PATH Intl. Conference Information

conference logo Call for Papers 

You, your organization or your research can help improve the equine-assisted activities and therapies field. Individuals interested in presenting at the 2013 PATH Intl. Conference November 6-9 in Orlando, FL, are invited to submit a completed abstract submission form to PATH Intl. Abstract submission will be handled electronically only.

 

Click here for information and guidelines.

 

Click here for the abstract submission form.

  

Awards

Do you have a talented equestrian at your PATH Intl. center? Do you admire a particular instructor or an equine specialist in mental health and learning? Does a special horse, mule or mini who has a priceless attitude call your center home? Do you know of a volunteer or veterinarian who generously gives time at a PATH Intl. center?

 

Now is the time to recognize their efforts and submit an award nomination for these special individuals and animals. Nominations are due no later than 12 midnight, MDT, May 20. Click here for information and for the fillable nomination forms.  

 

Be an Exhibitor  

If you are interested in selling your products to nearly 1,000 instructors, executive directors and other decision makers, be an exhibitor at the 2013 PATH Intl. Conference and Annual Meeting.

Detailed information on exhibiting in Orlando can be found here.
PATH Intl. Input Solicited for Adaptive Sports Survey

Adaptive sports play an important role in the health, happiness and overall well-being of individuals with disabilities. As a provider of adaptive sports services, PATH Intl. Centers strive to provide safe and effective instruction and coaching for your program participants. Fielding a team of trained staff and volunteers, instructors and coaches is key to the success of your participants and athletes.

 

The Bob Woodruff Foundation has funded a study to examine how adaptive sports programs prepare volunteers and staff, instructors and coaches to meet the needs of students and athletes with disabilities. This survey is being conducted by Northeast Passage at the University of New Hampshire, in collaboration with U.S. Paralympics and Disabled Sports USA. Your participation in this survey is important and will help to develop a complete picture of strengths and areas of need for training within the field of adaptive sports.

 

The results of the survey will be used in summary form. Your individual responses will remain confidential. If you have questions about the survey, email Cara Carr at the University of New Hampshire. A link containing survey results and training opportunities will be disseminated to all study participants in April 2013.

 

This survey will take between 10 and 35 minutes to complete based on the number of adapted sports your program offers. If you complete the survey by February 28, 2013, and supply contact information, you will be entered to win one of five $50 gas cards.

 

Click here to begin.

 

Thank you for your participation in this important study.

$50,000 Available to Researchers Investigating the Therapeutic Effects of Horses on Humans

Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) announces an open call for proposals to investigate the therapeutic effects of horses on humans. HHRF is accepting applications for grants up to $50,000. The Foundation's broad research agenda includes basic research as well as clinical studies that will ultimately impact physical and mental health and quality of life for those engaged in equine-assisted activities and therapies. Deadline for submission proposals is June 15, 2013.

Click here for information

Student Volunteer Opportunities in Thailand Could Help Your PATH Intl. Center Receive $500

If your center has high-school age volunteers who would be interested in volunteering in Thailand, Loop Abroad offers experiential summer programs in Thailand for high school students. Many of the programs feature a week living and working as a volunteer at the Elephant Nature Park. Programs also include a two-week veterinary service program, where students can volunteer alongside a vet, working at a dog rescue and at the elephant sanctuary. Any student who volunteers with Loop Abroad through a PATH Intl. Center will have $500 of their tuition donated to the PATH Intl. Center of their choice.

Contact Loop Abroad for information.  

Changes to AQHF's America's Horse Cares Grant Program

The American Quarter Horse Foundation announces changes to the America's Horse Cares grant program, which is designed to support the equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) industry.

Beginning in 2013, its general program, which helps fund educational grants for PATH Intl., will expand to include educational grant funding for member facilities of the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA), Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) and the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA).

The deadline for applications is March 1, 2013. For a complete list of the program criteria and approved curriculum, please visit AQHA's  website.
   

Welcome to New Centers

welcome  

PATH Intl. welcomes these centers who joined in January 2013.

 

Berkshire Equine Therapeutic Riding Center, Lanesboro, MA

Therapeutic Riding at Drakestown Equestrian, Long Valley, NJ 

Equine Tip From the PATH Intl. Equine Welfare Committee
Alternative Medical Treatments for Our Equines
By Brittany Aspen, PATH Intl. Equine Welfare Committee member

Taking care of the older horse can be difficult; special diets, maintaining body condition
 and keeping them happy and sound can be a full time job. The horses in the equine-assisted activities and therapies industry are usually older and have a stressful, yet rewarding, job.

At the facility where I work, we are always looking for ways to keep our horses happy and comfortable so they don't suffer from burn out. In the past three years that I have been the equine coordinator at a facility of more than 30 horses, we have tried many different techniques--chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture--but the most successful treatment so far has been light therapy. Read more.


The PATH Intl. Equine Welfare Committee encourages positive and engaging educational exploration from our readers; we'd love to hear your feedback! Let us know if you have any questions about our tip or have a suggestion about specific topics you would like covered in the future. Email Kristin Mason, EWC chair. Thank you!

    

Join us in the online PATH Intl. Equine Welfare Community!

Participate in lively, thought-provoking and sometimes controversial discussions in the PATH Intl. Equine Welfare Community. No matter your specific interest (EFP, therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, carriage driving, interactive vaulting, etc.), they ALL involve partnering with equines. Exchange ideas, ask questions, offer comments and suggestions, and "pick the brains" of some of our industry's most experienced and qualified people. Access the forum through the PATH Intl. website by clicking on the Community Connections button in the left menu. If you have any questions about joining the PATH Intl. Equine Welfare Community, please email Moderator Patty D'Andrea

PATH Intl. Center Featured in Magazine Article

Congratulations to Bitterroot Therapeutic Riding, a PATH Intl. Center in Corvallis, MT, which was featured in the December/January 2013 issue of Ranch & Reata Magazine, The Journal of the American West.    

Volunteer Opportunity for Path Intl. Site Visitors and Center Representatives to Be on Accreditation Work Group

The PATH Intl. Accreditation Committee is looking for association members to serve on a work group. The task of the group will be to review the accreditation process and to recommend appropriate changes to the Accreditation Committee. If you have not previously served on a PATH Intl. work group or committee and fulfill the following requirements, you are encouraged to apply:

  • Good knowledge and understanding of the PATH Intl. Standards for Certification and Accreditation and the accreditation process
  • Active site visitor or a center representative who has gone through at least one accreditation visit
To apply, please complete a volunteer application form. Return application and resume to Corey Campbell or call her at (800) 369-7433, ext. 104.
Ask the Experts

No matter what questions you might have, there are experts who are willing to help you find the answers. Do you have questions about what to expect on an accreditation site visit? Are you unsure how to interpret a specific standard? Do you want to find out how your center can comply with the standards? Ask the experts! The PATH Intl. Accreditation Subcommittee and your fellow PATH Intl. Members are on Community Connections to answer your questions. Log in to PATH Intl. Community Connections, join the Standards & Accreditation community and receive expert advice. 

PATH Intl. Events Calendar

Unless otherwise noted, contact Denise Fager at (800) 369-7433, ext. 114, with questions. All dates are subject to change. To register for an event, please contact the host site directly. You can locate its contact information under Find a Center on the PATH Intl. homepage or on the PATH Intl. events calendar.

PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning Workshop and Practical Skills Testing
May 21-24, 2013
R.O.C.K., Ride on Center for Kids in Georgetown, TX

September 11-15, 2013
Special People United to Ride (SPUR) in Lincroft, NJ

September 27-30, 2013
Horse Power at Touchstone Farm in Temple, NH

October 23-26, 2013
Hearts and Horses, Inc., in Loveland, CO

PATH Intl. Driving Workshop and Certification combination event
Workshop is held the first 2-1/2 days, certification held the last 2-1/2 days. Specific schedule sent by host site.
June 29-July 3, 2013
BraveHearts at the Bergmann Centre in Poplar Grove, IL

October 15-19, 2013
Horse Power at Touchstone Farm in Temple, NH

PATH Intl. Advanced Certification Event
February 19-20, 2013
Good Hope Equestrian Center, Inc. in  Miami, FL


March 14-16, 2013
Equest in Wylie, TX

March 22-24, 2013
Horses Help in Phoenix, AZ

May 28-30, 2013
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding in Old Lyme, CT

PATH Intl. Vaulting Workshop/Certification Event      

April 20-23, 2013
Hands and Hearts for Horses in Thomasville, GA 

 

PATH Intl. Mentor Training
February 9-10, 2013
St. Andrews Ride Like A Knight in Laurinburg, NC
 
Please visit the PATH Intl. events calendar for a list of 2013 Registered On-Site Workshops and Certifications. 

Please direct correspondence about this newsletter to PATH Intl. eNews coordinator. PATH Intl. eNews is a benefit of Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International membership. No portion of this publication may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, scanned or electronic process without written permission from PATH Intl. PATH Intl. reserves the right to reject, accept and edit submitted material. PATH Intl. eNews is intended as an information exchange and an opportunity for communication for members in the field of equine assisted activities. The opinions, practices or products presented in PATH Intl. eNews do not necessarily reflect PATH Intl. policy, imply PATH Intl. endorsement or comply with PATH Intl. standards.

 
If you prefer not to hear from us, just click on the "safe unsubscribe" below and we will remove you from our mailing list. Removing your email address from the PATH Intl. members database will prevent you from receiving all email correspondence including event notices and other time-sensitive correspondence.