Contacts:Region Rep and State Chairs
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 Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International
Title Sponsor: Purina, the official feed of PATH Intl.
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It looks like Fall has pounced upon our region as fast as the hurricanes and fires
have spread across the South and Northwest. As I sit here watching snow fall in Idaho as it is in Montana, I can't help but wonder how everything changed so fast after a warmer than usual summer. Folks here are blaming me for bringing it down from Alaska, where weather can change in the blink of an eye. (I promise, I didn't.)
But I've learned that we adapt, make the best of it, and go with the flow in Region 9! We can take anything that Mother Nature throws our way and are grateful to live in this beautiful part of our country, from Alaska and Canada in the North, to the Pacific Northwest states of Washington and Oregon, and the wild west of Idaho and Montana. We are a vast and varied region, and I love it!
Our hearts go out to those affected by the recent tragedies across our Nation, but I know how caring and giving our communities are, and it warms my heart to see the helpers and first responders, firemen, police, neighbors and strangers reach out to lend a helping hand. I have a quote on my face book page that reads "We Rise by lifting others", and that is so true now more than ever before all over the country. It is a quote that I have always associated with our EAAT industry. I have never met so many caring, talented and dedicated people as I have in our PATH Int'l. family. You all humble me and when I read all of the incredible things that you are doing in our region in the state reports. You make me want to try harder, learn more, care more, and surround myself with more people like all of you. You are the best!
My next newsletter will be my last, as our new Region Rep will come on board January 1. So I have one request - please , please, please send me news of your center's activities by Dec. 15th, so I can make this next newsletter the biggest and best!
Adios for now,
Annie
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PATH Intl. Region 9 Award Winners
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Our Region Leadership Team would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to all of our Region 9 Award Winners! We will do a full Bio on everyone in the next quarterly newsletter, but for now, please join me in congratulating the winners in the following categories:
Equine: Sherman, Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center
Certified Professional: Evelyn Jones, Spirit Therapeutic Riding Center
Volunteer: Debbie Bacon, Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center
Veterinarian: Dr. Robert Fleck, Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center
We're very proud of all of you!
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2018 State Conferences/Meetings
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As I explained in the last quarterly newsletter, Region 9 has opted to hold
state conferences in lieu of a Regional Conference for just one year, to see if it makes it easier and more affordable for our members to attend and reap the benefits of networking and accruing CE hours. We will have definite dates and locations by the January newsletter, but for now, your Region Leadership Team has
narrowed it down to these locations and "approximate" dates.
Alaska: Anchorage, 3rd or 4th weekend in July
B.C./ Alberta: TBA Karen Tanchak is working on visiting with the PATH Intl. instructors
to deem what will work best for them.
Idaho: Swiftsure Ranch TEC, Bellevue, April
Montana: Eagle Mount, June 1, 2
Oregon: Healing Reins, Bend, June 1, 2
Washington: Spirit TRC, Ellensburg, June 1, 2
Please remember that you can cross state lines and attend any of these conferences or state meetings, as well as being able to attend any other Region Conference in the country. Dates and locations for all Region Conferences are listed on the PATH Intl. website.
Each state chair will be sending out a questionnaire to their members and forming a conference committee, so please volunteer if you have the time, and let us know what you would like to see in educational content.
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| New PATH Intl. Center |
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A big welcome to
Solid Ground Equine Assisted Activities and Therapy Center, located in Klamath Falls, Oregon!
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| PATH Intl. Conference - San Antonio, Texas, November 8-11, 2017 |
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I'm hoping to see many of you in November at the National Conference in San Antonio, Texas. If you haven't already made plans to attend this exciting event,
please look at your recent PATH Intl. eNews emails from Cher Smith, detailing discounts and an extended registration for early bird registrations. The educational content of this year's conference looks outstanding, and of course, the opportunity to network and reconnect with old friends and meet new ones is always exciting.
Our Region Meetings this year will all be held at breakfast (included in your registration fee) on Thursday, Nov. 10th at 7:30 a.m. Tables will be marked with our
Region numbers. And if you happen to bring something to add to our Region 9 basket for the Silent Auction, any donation will be greatly appreciated!
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Alaska News - Carrie Drury, Alaska Chair
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Horse Abilities
Horse Abilities in Kodiak finished up and exciting summer program! Partnering with 4-H for horses and volunteers added to the talent serving close to 30 riders. A good mix of activities including adaptive vaulting, trail riding, sharing through leading and social skills were all implemented during a summer theme of "All Senses". Riders had all their senses involved on Hawaii Day (example: tasting pineapple, smelling tropical flowers, etc.). Other themes like Pirates and Obstacle
Courses were used to give participants the full experience through their senses!
STRIDE Inc.
STRIDE's Barn Dance and Auction Fundraiser was a great success! This year the activities evolved to include a Kid's Auction where every kid received $50.00 Free Auction Play Money. There was an entire table set up for this and the auctioneer h
eld a real live auction where bidding took places and the kids won prizes. The auctioneer was so good at making sure every kid won something, and the kids thought it was great to bid with "real" money. Meanwhile the parents were able to relax, save money and socialize...a Win Win! Combined with Square Dancing instruction, a slideshow featuring the STRIDE activities, a Selfie with Props corner, and the delicious Dessert, Live and Silent Auctions, there was something going on in every corner of the barn! Truly a great team of talent coming together to put on a memorable fundraiser!
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Idaho News - Lindsey Jameson, Idaho Chair
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Rising Stars Therapeutic Riding Center
Rising Stars has had an AMAZING summer! They continued to serve their typical 90-95 therapeutic riding and hippotherapy participants during the summer months, d
ropping back to about 50 participants for September through mid- November. They also tried their first April/May session last Spring, considering it marginally successful due to a Spring full of howling winds and rain. Many of you are aware that they had entered the Lexlin Ranch Gypsy Vanner giveaway. Thanks to amazing support from their face book community far ad wide they came in 16th and were blessed with a 7 year old mare, "Lucky". They all think she was meant for Rising Stars! She is currently in training and they are told that "she is very smart and learning very quickly". Almost simultaneously they received a donation of two 12 yr old Fjord mares. They have integrated Ethel May and Kaela into parts of their program and are continuing to work with them for hopeful integration into their independent rider program. Rising Stars is SO thankful for these gifts! Then, as if their summer wasn't exciting enough, they received an anonymous donation for their capital fund and found the property that was meant for them! August 25th they closed on the 20 acres of property with two houses and a barn outside of Twin Falls.
It had been neglected for quite some time so work parties are currently helping to bring it back to life. It is without any arenas so their next project will be an outdoor arena to make it usable next summer and hopefully and indoor arena soon to follow (dependent on grants and funding). Approaching the end of their 9th season, director Marnie Porath states: "We are so happy to get to work with the people we do on a daily basis. What a humbling and amazing gift!"
And what an amazing gift Rising Stars is to their community!
Running W Ranch
Running W Ranch has literally hit the ground running after hosting our Region 9
Conference in early June. (Another big shout out to Cyndie and Don Wiltsie for their amazing hospitality and generous welcome to all of our Region 9 members). They have been busy this summer with their therapeutic riding program, hippotherapy program, the Her'd Connection for foster girls, and their Seniors on Saddles program for senior citizens. They are also working on a Veteran's program that they hope to get rolling soon., as well as planning their annual big fundraiser in November.
Swiftsure Ranch Therapeutic Equestrian Center
Swiftsure Ranch TEC is thrilled to announce the selection of their new Executive Director, Meg Stamper. Meg officially came on board August 7th. She comes to Swiftsure with 15 years of diverse experience as an executive and entrepreneur.
She has an MBA from Columbia University and has a wealth of knowledge in devising business and operational plans, exploring new sources of revenue, managing teams, and more. She is delighted to be BACK at Swiftsure, as it was her family's ranch growing up! Her experience and knowledge in non-profits, business management and the horse industry, along with her pro-active innovative way of thinking will be a fantastic addition to their team.
I hear that Meg will be joining us in San Antonio next month at the PATH Intl. Conference. If you happen to meet her, make sure to give her a big welcome into our amazing PATH Intl. family!
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Montana News - Maggee Harrison, Montana Chair
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Horses Spirits Healing
This summer brought Horses Spirits Healing some heat as well as quite a bit of fun and new experiences. They hosted their first roping clinic in partnership with a local roping competition team. The group was instructed on roping skills both on the ground and in the saddle, and even had a chance to catch a roping dummy pulled behind a 4-wheeler. They would like to thank their clinicians for offering their time to help them all improve their cowboy and cowgirl skills!
To celebrate the Fall Equinox, they hosted their first Western Rendezvous Open House event on September 23rd. They welcomed current affiliates as well as new members from the community to join them for lunch, music, demonstrations, and other fun barn activities.
Like many in the North West, they also had their challenges with smoke and air quality, and hope that everyone has fared through the summer fire season and continues to stay safe.
They look forward to what Fall will bring, continuing education, volunteer celebrations, and holidays! Program Director Anvia Hampton wishes everyone "Happy Trails from Billings, Montana!"
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Oregon News - Polly Cohen, Oregon Chair
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Forward Stride
Forward Stride has said goodbye to Fox Hollow Farm, their home for many years, and said hello to their new facility, Forward Stride at Feves Family Farm! They are so happy to be in their new home, and excited to be back in regular sessions. On September 22 they held an informal party to celebrate their last and final move.
Congratulations, Forward Stride!
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Washington News - Teresa Bron, Washington Chair
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From Teresa Bron, Washington State Chair:
As Washington State Chair I have had the pleasure to get out and visit some centers this summer. What a fun way to meet people, see lots of horses, and learn about the Therapeutic Horsemanship industry.
Strides Therapeutic Horsemanship, Pasco, WA was my first center visit with a guided tour given by Melissa Rojas, PATH Int'l. Certified instructor. Strides has recently relocated to a new facility north of Pasco with plenty of room for their horses and room to grow. The beautiful farm ground is the perfect backdrop lending peace and tranquility to the setting. I enjoyed meeting some of the riders, therapists, and center volunteers.
Alatheia in Wenatchee, WA was my next visit. I was met with breathtaking views from their location on the hills overlooking the Wenatchee valley, and a barn full of Fjord horses. Heavenly! Nancy Grette and her enthusiastic staff participated in a half day ground driving and long lining clinic that I taught utilizing Alatheia's willing and cooperative Fjords. What a fun group of people and nice horses! The following day I attended Alatheia's yearly fundraising event "Little Black Dress", which was a delightful evening of camaraderie, delicious food, wine, and some inspirational stories. Nancy and her staff put together a beautiful evening and I'm hoping to attend next year as well.
Next stop was
Changing Rein in Graham, WA. Sandra Boe, founder and director, gave me a tour of her facility and we spent some time discussing the future of the therapeutic riding industry. Sandra is passionate about equine assisted therapies and I enjoyed spending time with her and seeing her facility. Changing Rein has a trail course in back of the property that includes a pond and lots of natural foliage. It was enchanting! Changing Rein will be offering a six week, hands on Horses program for 4-6 homeschooled middle schooler's this Fall, under the direction of Toni Hughes, Clinical Social Worker and Equine Professional, and Elizabeth Baer.
The program will be focused on helping students learn relationship skills through connections with horses.
Pegasus Project in Yakima, WA recently did a two day trail course clinic with our EAAT horses at Bolender Horse Park near Mossy Rock, WA. Due to a generous donation the Pegasus staff and horses were able to attend this clinic which gave us a much needed break from our regular routine. Bolender Horse Park is an extreme trail course designed and built by Mark Bolender. The facility includes an indoor and outdoor arena along with several water features and other interesting and challenging obstacles. The clinic began with in hand work in the outdoor arena followed by in hand work through the obstacles building confidence between horses and handlers. The second day we were mounted and worked our way through the various obstacles gaining trust from our equine partners. We were able to see the abilities in our horses that have been hidden during routine therapeutic riding. All of our horses met the challenges with enthusiasm and grew in their abilities throughout the sessions. The horses seemed to enjoy the time away from the center as much as the staff!
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Please direct correspondence about this newsletter to PATH Intl. eNews coordinator. 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. The PATH Intl. Region Newsletters are intended as an information exchange and an opportunity for communication for members in the field of equine-assisted activities and therapies. 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. Events listed are for information purposes and do not necessarily reflect PATH Intl. policy, imply endorsement or comply with PATH Intl. Standards. They may or may not be eligible for PATH Intl. continuing education units on instructor compliance forms. For questions regarding CEUs, contact Bret Maceyak at the PATH Intl. office. 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.
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