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In This Issue
Sponsors
Intensive Training
New Certification Page
Scholarships
Nominations
Evaluators
Equine Tips
Community Connections Corner
HHRF Letters of Intent for Research Grant
UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup
Member-Get-a-Member
Region Conferences
Workshops and Certifications
Quick Links
Join our list
Donate to PATH Intl.
PATH Intl. Sponsors
If you have questions about sponsoring PATH Intl. or exhibiting at the 2015 PATH Intl. Conference and Annual Meeting, please contact Kaye Marks

 

Title Sponsor - $20,000+  

 

 Purina,

the official feed of PATH Intl.

 

Platinum Sponsor - $15,000+  

English Riding Supply      

 

Gold Sponsors - $10,000+ 

Bayer HealthCare Animal Health

Kentucky Performance Products

Markel 

 

Silver - $7,500+   

Adequan
Cavallo  

Equisure

 

Bronze - $5,000+   

Bimeda/Equimax  

Equus Foundation 

SmartPak

 

Pewter - $2,500+   

ACTHA 

Breyer   

Equicizer 

RevitaVet 

Triple Crown Nutrition 

WESA    

Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International

Title Sponsor: Purina, the official feed of PATH Intl.

 April 7, 2015  

PATH Intl. Intensive Training a Success

volunteer hugging a horse On March 26, 28 PATH Intl. Certified Instructors gathered at BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center, a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center in Harvard, IL, for a PATH Intl. intensive training focusing on working with military veterans in equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT). The event was funded by a grant to PATH Intl. from the Veterans Administration.

The course was a blend of classroom presentation, small group activities and arena hands-on instruction. Topics included Veteran populations, suicide prevention, contraindications to EAAT, mental health first aid, horse retention and teaching techniques to challenge riders. After-hours opportunities were also offered for attendees to teach with veterans and gain feedback from course instructors.

 

"Over the last six years we have been working to build and grow our program," said attendee Colleen Kimener Trepen, Veterans Lead at Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding, Inc., a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center in Johns Island, SC. "In that time there have been many changes in the veteran community from the way our local VA refers veterans to the semantics in referring to veterans and their challenges. I found the workshop to be relevant and current. Keeping current can only help us brand our programs in attracting veterans and those whom refer them."
 
Colleen continued, "It was also great to have a learning opportunity outside of the traditional certifications. I am so glad PATH Intl. is beginning to offer more webinar training and more hands-on workshops and certificates like this one. It is great to encourage continued learning in our industry and thank you for making that one of your goals." 

 

Another workshop attendee noted on the PATH International Equine Services for Heroes? Facebook page, "This was a great training opportunity. Ready to serve hundreds of vets."  

What's New for Instructors and Mentors

Spring is upon us, and in tandem with the season of renewal, PATH Intl. has made many updates to our forms, policies and procedures. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the revamped, user-friendly PATH Intl. Certifications webpage which includes the following: 

  • Reasonable Accommodation Policy
  • New compliance form
  • New CEU policy and guidelines
  • New CPR & First Aid procedures
  • Separate booklets for Registered Instructor Application, Certification, Criteria, Glossary, and Policies and Procedures 

If you have questions, contact Bret Maceyak, PATH Intl. Certification Coordinator. 

Apply Now for Conference Scholarships

PATH Intl. continues to work diligently to obtain funding sources to ensure the maximum opportunity to underwrite registration scholarships for the PATH Intl. Conference and Annual Meeting.

The 2015 conference scholarship application and the 2015 Marjorie V. Kittredge Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy and Learning Scholarship application are due by email to Karen Province no later than June 20, 2015.
 
Everyone is encouraged to apply! Click below to download applications or find them on the 2015 PATH Intl. Conference page.

 

2015 PATH Intl. Conference and Annual Meeting Scholarship
 
2015 Marjorie V. Kittredge Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy and Learning Scholarship 

Nominations Open for PATH Intl. Recognition Awards

Nominations of those certified professionals, equines, volunteers, veterinarians and equestrians to be recognized at the PATH Intl. Awards Banquet, November 6, 2015, are due by May 20.  

 

The James Brady nomination forms and award criteria have been updated for 2015. Click here for information about the new criteria and for the nomination forms.   

 

Click here for all the PATH Intl. award nomination forms.

Attention PATH Intl. Evaluators

Don't forget to submit your annual Evaluator Compliance forms to Bret Maceyak at the PATH Intl. office by April 31st. (Deadline has been extended from April 1st.) The form can be found on your 2014 Evaluator Update flash drive or in the Riding Evaluators Hightail dropbox.

Please be sure to regularly visit the PATH Intl. Community Connections Riding Certification Evaluators group to stay abreast of updates and changes throughout the year. 

Equine Tips From the PATH Intl. Equine Welfare Committee
Creating a Team

By Cathy Languerand, PATH Intl. Equine Welfare Committee Chair

I have a feeling this will be a year for creating imaginative solutions that deepen the healing moments that happen between our center horses and all who work with them. Sometimes life pushes us to find these solutions. Yesterday was one of those days. Read more

The PATH Intl. Equine Welfare Committee is making a commitment to refine and deepen our perspective of equine well-being to include the physical, mental and emotional well-being of our wonderful four-legged partners. Join us on this journey. Please add your thoughts on the PATH Intl. Community Connections page. It is our desire that these tips start a further discussion on Community Connections. Any thoughts? We appreciate hearing from you!  

Community Connections Corner
community connections banner If you are interested in meeting other PATH Intl. members, discussing topics of interest, sharing resources, posting events, emailing members directly from the site and supporting each other in the work you do, join Community Connections, the PATH Intl. social media platform and discussion forum! Community Connections will showcase a topic that is new or is generating a lot of discussion. Join in the conversation or create your own!

In the Spotlight
From the Instructor Community:
I have a potential new student who suffers from Neurofibromatosis. The lesson is 45 minutes long and I'm hoping other instructors are able to suggest/share tips and experiences of what they included in their lesson plans for this condition. I'm focusing on upper body strength and balance but wonder if I'm missing anything else beneficial.

Read the responses here and add your feedback.
HHRF Calling for Letters of Intent for Research Grant
The Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) has posted its Letter of Intent Guidelines for those wanting to submit a proposal for the research innovation grant. Research grants will foster research focused on new ideas that have strong potential for a meaningful impact to bridge the gaps in our understanding of horse-human interactions.The goal of the program is to advance the scientific understanding of the relationship between horses and humans and their role in contributing to the wellness of people.

The deadline is May 15, 2015. Click here for information.
UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup Launches Assisted Walk and Trot Class
The United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA) Exceptional Challenge Cup committee has announced the launch of an Assisted Walk and Trot Class to be held at the 2015 UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show, November 10-14. This new class will open the Exceptional Challenge Cup program to many new participants and will broaden the UPHA's visionary reach toward providing positive competitive goals for all equestrians.

Information for this class is available on both the Exceptional Challenge Cup Facebook page and on the UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup page on the UPHA website. They are also available by contacting the Committee Chair Renee Biggins at (502) 722-5068.

If you are interested in hosting a UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup class, please contact the UPHA office at (859) 231-5070 or email Renee Biggins.
Recruit New PATH Intl. Members
PATH Intl. recognizes that our current members are the best possible source for new members who could benefit from all PATH Intl. has to offer.

With the annual Member-Get-A-Member drive, we've made referring colleagues to PATH Intl. easier than ever! Forward an application to them or direct them to the PATH Intl. store to join online. Ask your friend to enter your name as his/her "referred by." Then tell another friend... and another... and another to win prizes.

This year the grand prize drawing is a $250 American Express Gift Card. Second prize is a $100 American Express Gift Card. Every member who makes a referral will be entered into a drawing for $75 PATHBucks.

Thank you for your efforts for all members recruited by
June 30, 2015

Region Conferences Update

Check the Region Conferences Calendar for dates, locations and registration information.    

 

Exhibitors
PATH Intl. is offering exhibitor opportunities at several of the regional conferences. Exhibitors may purchase this regional package, which includes one table, two chairs and listing in region-specific conference eblasts, for $100.   

Click below to download the exhibitor flyer and form for regions currently accepting exhibitors. If you know of anyone interested in exhibiting, please share the information with them. If you have questions please contact Jaime Covington, ext. 125. 

 

Region 7 Conference

Region 9 Conference

Region 10 Conference 

 

Presenting at PATH Intl. Region Conferences - Influence Your Industry
At this time PATH Intl. is conducting a call for papers for the following regions. Presentation topics vary and may include, but are not limited to, riding instruction, hippotherapy, equine-facilitated mental health, driving, vaulting and administration. Conference abstracts can be of a practical nature and do not need to be based on research. Click on the conference title to begin the abstract process.


2015 PATH Intl. Region 5 Conference, July 31-August 2, Jasper, AL
2015 PATH Intl. Region 8 Conference, July 31-August 2, College Station, TX (accepting presenters from Region 8, along with CO, KS, MO, MS, NM and TN)  

 

Silent Auction

If you have items to donate for the region conference silent auctions please bring them with you to the conference. Any revenue generated helps offset region conference expenses, which helps to keep registration fees down. If you have questions, contact Amanda Walters, ext. 105. 

PATH Intl. Events Calendar

Unless otherwise noted, contact Bret Maceyak 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 contact information under Find a Center on the PATH Intl. homepage or on the PATH Intl. events calendar.

For a full list of events, including onsite workshops and certifications, visit the PATH Intl. events calendar.  

  

Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning 

High Hopes Therapeutic Riding

Old Lyme, CT  

April 11-14, 2015

 
GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center
Milford, PA
April 16-19, 2015 
Central Kentucky Riding for Hope
Lexington, KY
April 27-30, 2015 
Click here for flyer  
GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center
Milford, PA
June 11-15, 2015 
Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources
Cicero, IN
August 10-13, 2015 
Maryland Therapeutic Riding
Crownsville, MD
September 10-13, 2015 
Hearts and Horses, Inc.
Loveland, CO
October 21-24, 2015 



 

Advanced 
University of New Hampshire Therapeutic Riding Program
Durham, NH
April 17-18, 2015 
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center
Old Lyme, CT
May 27-29, 2015 
Heartland Therapeutic Riding, Inc.
Stilwell, KS
July 13-15, 2015 
Healing Strides of VA
Boones Mill, VA
August 2-4, 2015 
Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center
Redmond, WA
August 29-31, 2015 
 


Driving

Horse Power at Touchstone Farm

Temple, NH 03084

Dates: April 8-12, 2015

*Start time 5 p.m. on the 8th*

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. member database will prevent you from receiving all email correspondence including event notices and other time-sensitive correspondence.