New Sponsor
PATH Intl. welcomes its newest Platinum sponsor, Bimeda/Equimax! Bimeda/Equimax donated dewormers earlier this year and will be partnering with PATH Intl. throughout the year, including sponsoring the PATH Intl. Equine Services for Heroes Award and the full-day Horse Expo during the 2012 Conference in Bellevue, WA. Be on the lookout for Bimeda/Equimax contests coming soon!

New Donate Now Page
Have you seen the new PATH Intl. Donate Now web page? Donating is now easier than ever. "I sent a PATH donation via the webpage today," said PATH Intl. board member Jon Nelson in an email to CEO Kay Green. "The donation page was AMAZINGLY user-friendly and I got an immediate email confirmation. It was truly impressive." Click here to donate today.

Buying Horse Supplies
Want to buy supplies for your horse while supporting PATH Intl.? Check out Amicus Equine, where eight percent of your purchase can be donated to PATH Intl. Thank you for your support!

Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International

April 3, 2012

PATH Intl. Conference Announcement Coming Soon: Limited Time Promotional Offer for Facebook and Community Connections Only

2012conflogo Plans are well under way for a fabulous PATH Intl. Conference and Annual Meeting to be held in beautiful Bellevue, WA, October 31 to November 3. This is a "Not-To-Be-Missed" event.

Everyone loves a great deal and we have one for you! As a way to say thank you to returning attendees and our friends on Facebook as well as members of PATH Intl. Community Connections, specifics and a link to a limited-time offer promotional registration fee will be announced soon. The announcements will be made twice: once on the PATH Intl. Facebook page and a second time through the PATH Intl. Community Connections site. So if you haven't already, "like" us on Facebook and join "PATH Intl. Community Connections" today! Details will be announced soon and the savings will be significant, so don't wait!

2012 PATH Intl. Awards Nominations Are Open

Do you have a talented equestrian at your PATH Intl. center? Do you admire a particular instructor or an equine specialist in mental health and learning? Does a special horse, mule or mini that has a priceless attitude call your center home?

New this year - Do you know of a veterinarian who volunteers at a PATH Intl. center or centers deserving of the PATH Intl. Volunteer Veterinarian Award, sponsored by Luitpold, the maker of Adequan? Through Luitpold's generous contribution, a center nominating the Volunteer Veterinarian award winner from each of the 11 PATH Intl. regions will receive five boxes of Adequan. The center nominating the PATH Intl. Volunteer Veterinarian of the Year winner will receive 20 boxes of Adequan and the veterinarian will receive a scholarship for registration at the 2012 AAEP conference.

Now is the time to submit all award nomination for these special individuals and animals. Nominations are due no later than May 15, 11:59 p.m., MDT.

This year's nomination process has been simplified. Reference letters do not need to be submitted with the nomination form. However, if your nominee is selected as an award winner, the individuals submitting reference forms must submit a short letter of support.

Click here for information and the fillable PDF nomination forms

Deadline Approaching to Submit Abstracts for Conference

The 2012 PATH Intl. Conference is October 31-November 3 in Bellevue, WA, just outside Seattle. There is still time to submit an abstract to be considered for presentation at the conference. Submit an abstract highlighting your organization's innovations, your insights or research and how they may benefit the equine-assisted activities and therapies field.

Abstracts must be submitted electronically.

Click here to download abstract information.

Click here to begin the abstract submission process.

These links are also available on the PATH Intl. conference webpage.

Abstracts must be submitted to PATH Intl. by April 6, 2012.

Apply Now for 2012 PATH Intl. Conference Scholarships

PATH Intl. continues to work diligently to obtain funding sources to ensure the maximum opportunity to underwrite registration scholarships for the PATH Intl. Conference and Annual Meeting.

The 2012 PATH Intl. Conference and Annual Meeting Scholarship application and the 2012 Marjorie V. Kittredge Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy and Learning Scholarship application are due by email, fax or mail postmarked no later than June 11, 2012.

Everyone is encouraged to apply! Click here to download applications.

PATH Intl. Equine Services for Heroes Community Is Up and Running

If you are a member of PATH Intl., we hope you have heard about Community Connections, PATH Intl.'s social network. This new resource encourages PATH Intl. members to connect with each other around a common interest. If you are interested in working with equines and with service members and veterans, please join the "Equine Services for Heroes" Community Connections group. Simply log in to the PATH Intl. website and then click on "Community Connections" in the left hand menu. That will take you to the list of groups currently available (you can join one, all, or any number in between). Or click here to go directly to the Equine Services for Heroes group.

Please share your thoughts, best practices, questions or just browse to meet other PATH Intl. members who are serving the military community.

PATH Intl. Survey Respondent Wins PATH Intl. Conference Registration

Thank you to everyone who answered the survey questions about future PATH Intl. conferences. We had 765 survey respondents! We value your input in helping us offer the best possible conferences.

Laurie Flanagan in Pennsylvania was the winner of the 2012 PATH Intl. Conference and Annual Meeting registration. Congratulations, Laurie! Please contact Jaime Covington for registration information or call her at (800) 369-7433, ext. 125.

In the Spotlight

We couldn't do what we do without the tens of thousands of people who volunteer their time and talents to our centers. PATH Intl. would like to take this space to spotlight a special volunteer at your center. If your center has a volunteer you would like to thank, submit a short write-up about them and a picture to Cher Smith.

Mickey Winter and her horse Ginger Mention "Mickey" and "Orlando" in the same breath and most people think of that beloved cartoon character - you know, the one with the big ears and the long tail. But at Freedom Ride, a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center in Orlando, FL, we think of our own beloved character: Mickey Winters. Her ears are not as big, but she does have quite the tale! And, like her cartoon counterpart, she brings smiles to all she meets and has touched the lives of many through her volunteer work at Freedom Ride. Click here to read more about this volunteer.

Standards Reorganization

The Standards Reorganization Task Force is excited to preview the new sections in the upcoming 2012 edition of the PATH Intl. Standards for Certification and Accreditation. You'll remember that due to increased activities and certifications and yearly additions to the Standards Manual, the task force was formed to reorganize the content. While the content remains the same, the intent is to eliminate duplications and create a much more user friendly manual with the publication of the 2012 edition.

Core Standards

Administration and Business Section

Organization, emergency procedures, safety regulations, risk management, business practices and written policies/procedures

Facilities Section

Building/grounds maintenance, safety, equipment storage and maintenance and activity area

Equine Welfare and Management Section

Equine management, training, conditioning and care

Activities Standards

The activity used in achieving a goal

Mounted section
Driving section
Interactive vaulting section
Ground section

Service Standards

The service that determines the outcome of the goal

Equestrian skills section (riding, driving or vaulting goals)
Medical/mental health section (hippotherapy or EFP goals)

Click here to see more details.

Standards Reorganization - Center Accreditation Grace Period

Centers that submit their application for accreditation prior to June 30, 2012, will use the 2011 edition of the PATH Intl. Standards for Certification and Accreditation for their visit. Any requests to accredit using the 2012 edition of the Standards Manual must be made in writing to the PATH Intl. office prior to the scheduling of site visitors. To make a request, contact Abby Hendren.

Centers that apply after July 1, 2012, and have their site visit prior to December 31, 2012, will have the choice to accredit using the 2011 or 2012 edition of the Standards Manual.

All site visits that take place after January 1, 2013, will accredit using the 2012 edition of the Standards Manual.

Please email Abby Hendren if you have any questions.

Recruit New Members to PATH Intl. and Win

We at PATH Intl. know that our current members are the best possible source for new members who could benefit from all PATH Intl. has to offer.

With our special Member-Get-A-Member drive, we've made referring colleagues to PATH Intl. easier than ever! Forward an application to them or direct them to Join Now to download an application. Or direct them to the PATH Intl. store to join online. Ask your friend to enter your name as his/her "referred by." Then tell another friend... and another... and another for a chance to win prizes.

This year, the grand prize is a two-night stay at one of four exciting locations! Click here for full details and prizes. The Member-Get-A-Member drive ends June 29, 2012.

Announcing PATH Intl. Webinars
The next webinar is "Steps to Successful Accreditation" on Monday, April 16 at 5:30 p.m. (Mountain Time). To register, log in to the PATH Intl. online store. Space is limited to the first 15 registrants.

Upcoming Region Conferences: Save the Date
Region 1 April 20-22 Putney, VT Contact: Kate Davis-McKelvy Region 11 June 22-24 Minden, NV Contact: Alexis Hill Other dates will be coming soon. Check the region conference calendar or your region's webpage for the latest details.

PATH Intl. Events Calendar

Unless otherwise noted, contact Abby Hendren at (800) 369-7433, ext. 104, with questions. All dates are subject to change. To register for an event, please contact the host site directly. You can locate its contact information under Find a Center on the PATH Intl. home page or on the PATH Intl. events calendar.

PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning Workshop and Practical Skills Testing
May 23-26, 2012
Horses Help in Phoenix, AZ

August 27-30, 2012
National Ability Center in Park City, UT

September 14-16, 2012
Sunnyside Equestrian Center in Lincroft, NJ

October 24-27, 2012
Hearts & Horses, Inc. in Loveland, CO

PATH Intl. Driving Workshop and Certification combination event
Workshop is held the first 2-1/2 days, certification held the last 2-1/2 days. Specific schedule sent by host site.

August 7-11, 2012
BraveHearts at the Bergmann Center in Poplar Grove, IL

September 25-29, 2012
Horse Power @ Touchstone Farm in Temple, NH
The event will start the evening of the 25th and end the evening of the 29th; contact host site for detailed schedule.

PATH Intl. Advanced Certification Event
April 15-17, 2012
Horses Help in Phoenix, AZ

May 29-31, 2012
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding in Old Lyme, CT

September 10-12, 2012
BraveHearts in Harvard, IL

November 16-18, 2012
Maryland Therapeutic Riding in Annapolis, MD

PATH Intl. Vaulting Workshop/Certification Event
None scheduled at this time

PATH Intl. Mentor Training

May 20-21, 2012

Saddle Up! in Franklin, TN

October 15-16, 2012
Horses Help in Phoenix, AZ

PATH Intl. Evaluator Training
June 2-3, 2012
BraveHearts at the Bergmann Centre in Polar Grove, IL

Interested in becoming an evaluator for the onsite certification events? This is the event to attend.
This will be the only training offered in 2012.
Advanced Instructors only.
Prior completion of PATH Intl. Mentor Training required.
Contact: Meggan Hill-McQueeney, (815) 765-2113.

Please visit the PATH Intl. events calendar for a list of 2012 Registered On-Site Workshops and Certifications.

Please direct correspondence about this newsletter to PATH Intl. eNews coordinator. PATH Intl. eNews is a benefit of Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International membership. 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. PATH Intl. eNews is intended as an information exchange and an opportunity for communication for members in the field of equine assisted activities. 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.