PATH Intl. Disaster Relief Fund Helps Centers Cool the Fires
Denver— According to the National Interagency Fire Center, 37 large fires have burned more than 292,000 acres in nine states. And this is only the beginning of wild fire season. Flooding threatens even more states from tropical storms and hurricanes.
With the knowledge of these disasters comes the fear of losing property and, even worse, the possibility of losing lives. Evacuations of humans and horses are heartbreaking yet necessary. Many return to homes and barns destroyed, shells of the dreams and activities that took place there. How to rebuild and where to start can be enormous and almost unanswerable questions.
The PATH Intl. Disaster Relief Fund was created in 2005 to help centers affected by such disasters. The purpose of the fund is to assist PATH Intl. Member Centers with an immediate need in funding expenses not normally covered by operating insurance after natural or man-made catastrophic disasters. Since its inception, PATH Intl. has given thousands of dollars to help these centers with outstanding needs.
While it is still too early to tell how much damage wild fires and floods have done to PATH Intl. Member Centers, it is never too early to help. Your donations to the PATH Intl. Disaster Relief Fund will help centers rebuild. Visit www.pathintl.org and click Donate Now at the top.
Questions? Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and thank you for your generosity.
June 2020 PATH Intl. Grants $10,000 to Participants Through EAAT Participant Fund
Denver—PATH Intl. is pleased to announce that it funded 12 participants in June 2020 through the EAAT Participant Fund. The purpose of the PATH Intl. EAAT Participant Fund is to assist someone who would not otherwise be financially able to participate, or continue participating, in equine-assisted activities and therapies at a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center.
Congratulations to the following participants:
Karma Bollinger, Animals as Natural Therapy, Bellingham, WA
Zayla Griffin, The Therapeutic and Recreational Riding Center, Glenwood, MD
Benjamin Mengual, Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center, Middletown, CT
Junior Reed, Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding, Johns Island, SC
Jen’nai Young, Exceptional Equestrians of the Missouri Valley, Inc., Washington, MO
Mason A. Tippett, The Shane Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship, Inc., Centerburg, OH
Crystal Wallace, Horses of Hope Riding Center, Inc., Baxter Springs, KS
Ariana Garde, Leg Up Farm, Mt. Wolf, PA
Demetri McDaniel, Hoofbeats Academy, Manor, TX
Jordan Edwards, Appalachian Therapeutic Riding Center, Burnsville, NC
Lauren Jakub, Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA) Gretna, NE
Matthew Bearden, McKenna Farms Therapy Services, Dallas, GA
Zayla’s instructor, Lisa Sowers, said, “I would like to express my sincere appreciation for PATH's decision to award this scholarship to Zayla. She has not been able to participate in therapeutic lessons or equine assisted therapy following her initial sponsorship. As one of my best young students, she was quickly able to execute foundational riding skills. Thank you for your support that will allow this young woman to continue to build upon her character, talent and resilience as an experienced equestrian.”
PATH Intl. is pleased to be part of helping these participants achieve their goals. We thank those who have donated to the EAAT Participant Fund for contributing to the success of these riders. If you would like to contribute to PATH Intl., visit www.pathintl.org and click Donate Now at the top.
PATH Intl. Postpones 2020 Conference
Denver – Everyone and everything has been impacted to some degree by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 PATH Intl. Conference and Annual Meeting, originally scheduled for October 8-11, 2020, in St. Louis, MO, is no exception. With such uncertainty surrounding travel, social distancing and other factors yet to be seen for the quickly approaching fall, PATH Intl. has determined to postpone the conference. PATH Intl. has been working with the hotel and arena to enjoy all that St. Louis offers in 2022.
We are disappointed in that we so look forward to being together each year and know how much work by presenters, volunteers and staff has already been invested. Yet, taking all the factors into consideration, we believe it is the right decision.
PATH Intl. will be exploring other options to offer education and networking. Please stay tuned for updates as details will follow for the newly reimagined opportunities we'll be presenting for this fall.
And save the dates for next year's conference when we can all be together again, October 14-16, 2021, in Charlotte, NC, AND St. Louis in fall of 2022.
Questions? Contact Cher Smith at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Be safe and remain hopeful.
PATH Intl. Provides COVID-19 Information and Resources for EAAT Industry
Denver – In these confusing days with an abundance of information that everyone is receiving, the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) has created a web page to gather information specific to equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT). Here you will find COVID-19 resources, including sample documents for re-opening business, the PATH Intl.-generated COVID-19 bulletins to share information to care for not only our businesses but also our equine partners, and webinars that have been created by PATH Intl. professionals to help us all navigate the current situation. Information on new webinars are placed in the COVID-19 bulletins as well as PATH Intl. social media channels.
Visit this page https://pathintl.org/74-about-path-intl/1923-covid-19-bulletin for the compilation of the most up-to-date information on how our industry's professionals can get through this together.
For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
.">. If you have not yet signed up to receive PATH Intl. news, including the bulletins, sign up here: https://pathintl.org/path-intl-membership/enews-archive.
Join Us at the PATH Intl. Virtual Conference:
Only a Few Days Left to Register
Denver – Staying inside? Social distancing? Now is the perfect time to sign up for the PATH Intl. Virtual Conference. Through 10 sessions, stay up to date on trends in the equine-assisted activities field while networking with other like-minded professionals and equine enthusiasts. There are only a few days left to register for the 2020 PATH Intl. Virtual Conference, May 7-8.
If you have not yet experienced the PATH Intl. Virtual Conference, it is the perfect opportunity to share, collaborate and gather with a global audience of equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) professionals from the comfort of your home, office or even barn. Are you new to PATH Intl. or to EAAT? This conference will enlighten you on who PATH Intl. is and the great work the association does to promote health, wellness and safety for individuals with special needs. Are you a long-time PATH Intl. credentialed professional or are looking for resources to become certified? The virtual conference will engage and energize you while offering practical skills and guidance (and 12 CEUs!) to support your learning.
To register for the 2020 PATH Intl. Virtual Conference and see all the sessions and presenters, visit https://pathinl.elevate.commpartners.com. Questions? Contact Amber Bratt at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
See you in a few days!
About PATH Intl.:
The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International(r) (PATH Intl(r).) was formed in 1969 to promote safety and optimal outcomes in equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) for individuals with special needs. At 873 member centers, nearly 69,000 children and adults, including more than 6,700 veterans, may find improved health, wellness, fun and a sense of pride and independence through involvement with horses. Therapeutic horsemanship at member centers may include hippotherapy, equine-facilitated mental health, driving, interactive vaulting, trail riding, competition, ground work and stable management. Through a wide variety of educational resources, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful EAAT programs. There are nearly 62,000 volunteers, 4,776 instructors, 7,943 equines and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH Intl. Member Centers.