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PATH Intl. Receives Multi-Year Grant to Fund Development and Delivery of Innovation Circles – an Initiative to Support and Advance Leadership at PATH Intl. Therapeutic Horsemanship Centers

PATH Intl. Receives Multi-Year Grant to Fund Development and Delivery of Innovation Circles – an Initiative to Support and Advance Leadership at PATH Intl. Therapeutic Horsemanship Centers

DENVER, CO (March 12, 2024) ­— The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) has received an industry-elevating, multi-year grant to dramatically expand its education and leadership development training programs for member organizations. PATH Intl. leads the advancement of professional equine-assisted services by offering its members and credentialed professionals rigorously developed standards, credentialing and education programs.


The Suzanne McGraw Foundation, Inc. has awarded a $825,000 grant over three years to PATH Intl. to substantially expand its Innovation Circles program, which provides valuable training to leaders of therapeutic horsemanship centers nationwide. PATH Intl. Innovation Circles is a business-skill-development program focused on fundraising, board development and best business practices for member centers of all sizes. With this grant, the program will be greatly expanded and include six months of one-to-one coaching for center administrators after each course is completed.


“The Suzanne McGraw Foundation, through its significant financial investment and partnership, has demonstrated its deep commitment to providing the training and skill development required for equine-assisted service providers to flourish and offer exemplary and safe services”, said Kathy Alm, CEO of PATH Intl. “This grant will make it possible for PATH Intl. Member Center and Premier Accredited Center leaders to expand their knowledge of best-business practices bolstering their financial, organizational and mission success.”  


The foundation has worked closely with PATH Intl. to create the outline and timeline of the program. Program development will begin in April 2024. A search has begun for a full-time Program Manager of the expanded Innovations Circle program.


PATH Intl. is incredibly grateful to the Suzanne McGraw Foundation, Inc. for its forward-thinking partnership and support. Please watch for continued updates on the program and to learn how to be a part of this industry-bolstering center-sustainability initiative.

Contact: Sara Conant, Communications & Marketing Coordinator,
, (800) 369-7433 ext. 123

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.