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For the Win! PATH Intl. Recognizes Its 2021 Regional Award Winners

For the Win! PATH Intl. Recognizes Its 2021 Regional Award Winners

Denver – The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH Intl.) takes great pride in the exceptional equines, credentialed professionals, volunteers and veterinarians who serve at PATH Intl. Member Centers and the quality of equestrians whose lives—and horsemanship—have been enriched through equine-assisted services (EAS). PATH Intl. is pleased to announce the 2021 PATH Intl. Regional Award Winners (equines, credentialed professionals, volunteers and veterinarians).

All region award winners will be recognized and celebrated at their individual region conferences (whether in-person or virtual).

Every year industry judges select the PATH Intl. award recipients from a large number of outstanding nominees. PATH Intl. thanks the judges who made the difficult decisions and selected the award winners. PATH Intl. also thanks the individuals and centers who nominated the humans and equines demonstrating excellence in their field, and we offer congratulations to everyone who was nominated.

(PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Centers are shown in italics.) 

Region 1

Equine of the Year, Luke “Lukie,” Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Ctr, Windham, ME

Credentialed Professional of the Year, Susan Miller, High Horses Therapeutic Riding Program, Sharon, VT

Veterinarian of the Year, Dr. Christopher Weber, Shepard Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc., Bristol, CT

Volunteer of the Year, Pat Niboli, Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Ctr, Windham, ME

Region 2

Equine of the Year, Mona, SUNY Cobleskill Equine Center, Cobleskill, NY

Credentialed Professional of the Year, Nancy Heller, Great and Small, Boyds, MD

Veterinarian of the Year, Dr. Jesslyn Bryk-Lucy, Therapeutic Riding at Centenary – TRAC, Hackettstown, NJ

Volunteer of the Year, Janet Knox, Rose of Sharon Equestrian School, Inc., Glenarm, MD

Region 3

Equine of the Year, Whippoor Will Keep Dancing “Dancer,” Sprout Therapeutic Riding and Education Center, Aldie, VA

Credentialed Professional of the Year, Corliss Wallingford, Simple Changes, Lorton, VA

Veterinarian of the Year, Dr. Lauren Taylor, Moonbeam and Miracles Therapeutic Horsemanship Center, Greenville, NC

Volunteer of the Year, Jay Aronowitz, Simple Changes, Lorton, VA

Region 4

Equine of the Year, Chrissy, Fieldstone Farm, Chagrin Falls, OH

Credentialed Professional of the Year, Shelley Becker, LoveWay Inc., Middlebury, IN

Veterinarian of the Year, Bluegrass Equine Podiatry, Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, Lexington, KY

Volunteer of the Year, Jean Tucson, Fieldstone Farm, Chagrin Falls, OH

Region 5

Equine of the Year, Buddy “Boo,” Tri-State Therapeutic Riding Center, McDonald, TN

Credentialed Professional of the Year, Caity Wall, McCormick Research Institute, St. Cloud, FL

Veterinarian of the Year, Dr. Hugh Worsham, Chastain Horse Park, Atlanta, GA

Volunteer of the Year, Susan Liang, Chastain Horse Park, Atlanta, GA

Region 6

Equine of the Year, Bronco, NDSU Bison Strides, Fargo, ND

Credentialed Professional of the Year, Christy Lowell, HorseSense for Special Riders, Coon Valley, WI

Veterinarian of the Year, Fredonia Veterinarian Clinic, Heaven’s Gait Ranch, Incl., Cedar Grove, WI

Volunteer of the Year, Rod Schroeder, HorseSense for Special Riders, Coon Valley, WI

Region 7

Equine of the Year, Caimbrae Irish Rose “Rosie,” One Heart Equestrian Therapy, Colo, IA

Credentialed Professional of the Year, Diane Bemis, Heartland Equine Therapy Riding Academy, Gretna, NE

Veterinarian of the Year, Dr. Kim Conover, Heartland Equine Therapy Riding Academy, Gretna, NE

Volunteer of the Year, Christine Engebrecht, New Kingdom Trailriders, Sherrard, IL

Region 8

Equine of the Year, Peppers Cindileo “Chiquita,” Turning Point Ranch, Stillwater, OK

Credentialed Professional of the Year, Nancy Krenek, ROCK, Ride On Center for Kids, Georgetown, TX

Veterinarian of the Year, Dr. David Fazzino, Grace Lake Ministries, Inc., Anna, TX

Volunteer of the Year, Vic & Faith Bero, ROCK, Ride On Center for Kids, Georgetown, TX

Region 9

Equine of the Year, Kevyn, Forward Stride, Beaverton, OR

Volunteer of the Year, Susan Sjordal, Foreward Stride, Beaverton, OR

Region 10

Equine of the Year, Ped, Children, Horses and Adults in PartnerShip (CHAPS) Equine Assisted Therapy, Sheridan, WY

Credentialed Professional of the Year, Tracy Shaw, Children, Horses and Adults in PartnerShip (CHAPS) Equine Assisted Therapy, Sheridan, WY

Veterinarian of the Year, Dr. JD Leclair, Hearts & Horses, Inc., Loveland, CO

Volunteer of the Year, Des Brunette, MESA Therapeutic Horsemanship, Inc., Pinedale, WY

Region 11

Equine of the Year, Kiwanis “Kiwi,” Xenophon Therapeutic Center, Orinda, CA

Credentialed Professional of the Year, Danielle Coburn, Xenophon Therapeutic Center, Orinda, CA

Veterinarian of the Year, Creekside Veterinary Service, REINS California, Fallbrook, CA

Volunteer of the Year, Andre Gaston, Happy Trails Riding Academy, Tulare, CA

About PATH Intl.:

The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International® (PATH Intl.®) was formed in 1969 to promote safety and optimal outcomes in equine-assisted services (EAS) for individuals with special needs. At nearly 750 member centers, more than 66,000 children and adults, including 6,200 veterans, may find improved health, wellness and a sense of pride, independence and fun through involvement with horses. Therapeutic horsemanship at member centers may include hippotherapy, equine-facilitated mental health, driving, interactive vaulting, trail riding, competition, groundwork and stable management. Through a wide variety of educational resources, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful EAS programs. There are nearly 62,500 volunteers, 5,011 instructors, 7,800 equines and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH Intl. Member Centers.

About PATH Intl.:

The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International® (PATH Intl.) was formed in 1969 to promote safety and optimal outcomes in equine-assisted services (EAS) for individuals with special needs and others. At 794 member centers, more than 46,600 children and adults, including 5,200 veterans, may find improved health, wellness and a sense of pride, independence, and fun through involvement with horses. Member centers offer therapeutic horsemanship including riding, driving, interactive vaulting, groundwork, and stable management; physical, speech and occupational therapies; mental health services incorporating equines; and coaching and learning programs, among other services. There are nearly 40,000 volunteers, 4,863 PATH Intl. certified professionals, 5,250 equines, and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH Intl. Member Centers achieve their health, wellness, and learning goals. Through a wide variety of educational resources and certification programs, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful EAS programs. PATH Intl. offers the first and only independently accredited certification program in the EAS industry. The PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor® Certification, first accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies in 2022, demonstrates the competency of therapeutic riding instructors and adds credibility to the EAS industry as a career path.