Be a part of a upholding industry standards.
Volunteers for the association help establish and ensure the professionalism of PATH Intl. Credentials and centers as well as taking care of the equines and the amazing work they do.
Be a part of upholding industry standards.
Volunteers for the association help establish and ensure the professionalism of PATH Intl. Credentials and centers as well as taking care of the equines and the amazing work they do.
Volunteer Committees
Get Involved and help shape the future of the association!
The work of PATH Intl. is supported by volunteer committees, subcommittees, task forces and workgroups. Learn more about the contributions and goals of each group.
Oversight Committees
Certification Oversight Committee reviews and promotes PATH International’s accepted industry standards by verifying that all activities of the certification subcommittees adhere to PATH International standards in all aspects of equine-assisted services.
The Programs & Standards Oversight Committee reviews and promotes projects and proposals that impact EAS programs and PATH International’s accepted industry standards for all aspects of equine-assisted services.
Committee Members
Committee Chair: Molly Murphy
Staff Liaison: Carrie Garnett, Director of Membership & Operations
Program Committees
The PATH International Equine Services for Heroes® Committee is charged with developing, expanding and enhancing the PATH International Equine Services for Heroes programs across the country.
Committee goals include education development, political advocacy for Equine-assisted Services for Veterans, and direct support of PATH International Equine Services for Heroes® programs.
PATH International Equine Services for Heroes® encompasses PATH Intl. support of equine-assisted services (EAS) for Veterans. Through education, resources and interaction with PATH Intl. members and centers, this program is intended to improve quality and accessibility of equine-assisted services for Veterans and members of the armed forces.
What the committee does:
- Develop relevant conference presentations
- Provide support for education, grant administration and insight into industry needs
- Center direct support
- Online education available through the online store
- PATH International Equine Services for Heroes® Program Guidelines
- Center resources such as brochures and activity suggestions. To access this benefit, please visit the PATH Intl. Center Membership page. You will need to be logged in to your PATH Intl. account and be linked to your Member Center. If you need assistance, please reach out to
- Pass-through funding from The Wounded Warrior Project, Inc. and the VA Adaptive Sports Program
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Tara Mahoney, LCMHC – Committee Chair
Equine Immersion Project, LLC – CEO & Founder
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, PATH INTL Equine Specialist in Mental Health Learning & Mentor, Horses and Humans Research Foundation- Board Member and Education Committee Co-Chair
Danielle Seybert, Staff Liaison
PATH International, Colorado
Programs Representative; Professional Horse Trainer
Kristen Marcus
CHAPS Equine Assisted Therapy, Wyoming
Executive Director; ESMHL; EFL Level 1 Facilitator
Michele Kane, MA, LPCC
Certified Peer Specialist
Cheyenne VA Medical Center
PATH Intl. CTRI, ESMHL, Mentor
Major, USMC (Retired)
Leanne Nieforth
University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine
Postdoctoral Research Associate, ESMHL
Shellie Kwitkowski
Dreams on Horseback, Ohio
Program Director, CTRI, Certified Driving Instructor
Eileen White
USU Equine Experience Veteran Mentor
ESMHL, Certified Teacher, MPH, MAT
PATH International Equine Services for Heroes Committee Minutes >
The Equine Welfare Committee works to educate the association’s membership in topics pertinent to equine welfare, with a focus on promoting the welfare of equines participating in EAS programs at PATH Intl. Member Centers and with PATH Intl. Certified Professionals.
Committee Details
Committee Chairs: Dr. Ellen Rankins (Chair) and Dr. Leanne Nieforth (Co-Chair)
Staff Liaison: Rain Wheeler, Education Supervisor
The Grievance Review Panel (GRP) will implement policies and procedures with respect to grievances against PATH International (“PATH Intl.”) members, certificants, evaluators, site visitors, faculty, instructors, mentors and member centers. The GRP will be responsible for the review and resolution of grievances. Resolution may include disciplinary action including termination of membership, removal of certification, and removal of accreditation or removal of accreditation subject to the right to appeal the GRP’s decision.
Committee Details
Staff Liaison: Carrie Garnett, Director of Membership & Operations
Committee Minutes – when available
The Health and Education Committee serves to advise PATH Intl. on relevant internal education, new and upcoming research, review of third-party education partner content, abstract selection for the regional and international conferences, is consulted about health and safety questions that relate to EAS topics and assist in the review and update of relevant sections in the PATH Intl. Standards for Certification and Accreditation.
Committee Details
Committee Chair: Dr. Amanda Lamp
Staff Liaison: Rain Wheeler, Education Supervisor
Committee Minutes – when available
Subcommittees
The purpose of the sub-committee, overall objectives and expected activities and product are as follows:
- To plan training courses for visitors and centers at PATH Intl. Annual Conference and regional locations
- To review and evaluate site visitor status
- To review accreditation score forms and related documentation
- To grant accreditation status to centers
- To conduct reviews of all accreditation appeals
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the standards and accreditation process and recommend changes.
Subcommittee Minutes
The Interactive Vaulting Certification Subcommittee upholds and promotes PATH International’s accepted industry standards in all aspects of Interactive Vaulting activities in accordance with the evolution of the EAS industry.
The Riding Certification Subcommittee upholds and promotes PATH International’s accepted industry standards pertaining to all levels of the PATH Intl. Therapeutic Riding Instructor certification in accordance with the evolution of the EAS industry.
The Driving Certification Subcommittee upholds and promotes PATH International’s accepted industry standards in all aspects of Driving activities in accordance with the evolution of the EAS industry.
Membership Outreach Committee
The PATH Intl. Member Outreach Committee (MOC) is the voice of the PATH Intl. membership, advocating for their interests to the association and the industry. The committee, through its members, actively supports the organization in identifying and implementing membership features that will enhance the value of association membership and convey the importance of the equine-assisted services (EAS) industry. The MOC provides outreach and support for PATH Intl. centers and members as well as outreach to those outside the association. The MOC leads and supports the Region Leadership Teams who provide the essential local outreach.
Conference Host Committee
The International Conference Host Committee consists of members of the region in which the international conference is being held. The committee may work on assisting the PATH Intl. staff in finding the appropriate facilities and local vendors. They may assist in providing local insight to the planning process and recruit volunteers. This regional group forms various committees to work on special conference needs.
The International Conference Host Committee consists of members of the region in which the international conference is being held. The committee may work on assisting the PATH Intl. staff in finding the appropriate facilities and local vendors. They may assist in providing local insight to the planning process and recruit volunteers. This regional group forms various committees to work on special conference needs.
Credentialing Council
If interested in volunteering for the credentialing council please contact Bret Maceyak
Get Involved
Serve on a volunteer committee.
Terms run from January to December.
Upcoming vacancy announcements and volunteer recruitment will begin in the fall of each year.
If you are interested in volunteering please fill out the volunteer application and email it to the education department. Here at PATH Intl. we value our volunteers, and we thank you for considering or continuing to serve PATH Intl. with your time and expertise.
I belong to PATH Intl. because of the community environment built between instructors, facilities and members.
Leah Seifert
Member
Get Involved
Questions? We'll help you find answers.
Whether you have a question, a problem, an issue or just want to say “great job,” we’re here for you! Reach out and let us know what’s on your mind.
The Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning Subcommittee upholds and promotes PATH International’s accepted industry standards in all aspects of equine-assisted mental health therapies in accordance with the evolution of the EAS industry.
Committee Charter >