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 this week and next. 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! The savings are significant, so don't wait!

2012 PATH Intl. Awards Nominations and Call for Judges

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? 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?

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.

Click here for information and the fillable PDF nomination forms

Call for Judges

Are you interested in being part of this exciting process? For the first time, any member may apply to be part of the judging process for the PATH Intl. annual awards.

We are still in need of more judges! No one has volunteered yet from regions 4 and 10. Click here for guidelines and to volunteer.

Be an Exhibitor at the PATH Intl. Conference
Interested in getting your business in front of 1,000 EAAT professionals? Exhibit at the PATH Intl. Conference Oct. 31-Nov. 3, 2012 in Bellevue, WA! Save $100 off the standard rate if you reserve your space by May 15. For more information, click here. Questions? Email Megan or call her at (800) 369-7433, ext. 107.

Top Reasons for Center Non-Compliance
So, you've renewed your center membership but have received a non-compliant letter from PATH Intl. Don't panic! The most common reasons for non-compliance can be easily resolved. Click here for a list of the reasons your center might be non-compliant, and the steps to take to correct the problem and keep your center membership in good standing.

NEW for Center Members - Additional Access to the Foundation Directory Online

If your center has a development director or person responsible for grant writing and fundraising for your center, you can now add that person so they have access to the Foundation Directory Online, a very valuable center membership resource for finding funding. The primary contact and executive director already have access by logging in with their primary email address and password, but if you would like to add your development director as an authorized individual for your center, simply fill out a change notification form with the individual's name and unique email address and return it to the PATH Intl. office. If you have any questions, email Karen Province.

Thank You!
PATH Intl. would like to thank our many generous Combined Federal Campaign donors. More military personnel, federal government employees and retirees have donated to PATH Intl. thus far in 2012 than in past years. Thank you for your support of PATH Intl. and EAAT!

Welcome to Rachel Davis, PATH Intl. Membership Coordinator

Rachel Davis is PATH Intl.'s newest staff member. She is in charge of PATH Intl. Community Connections and higher education membership. Email her if you have any questions about becoming a higher ed member or if you have any questions about Community Connections.

I joined the PATH Intl. staff in January as a member of the Certification Department, and now I'm ready to move forward with my new role as Membership Coordinator. I graduated from Webster University in St. Louis, MO, with a degree in international relations and international human rights. My education gave me a love of traveling and a desire to learn about and experience other cultures. I have spent time living in Argentina, Switzerland and Alaska; something I never thought was possible growing up in small-town Illinois. I am happy to call Denver and PATH Intl. my new home. When I'm not working, I enjoy discovering great new restaurants, playing with my two very whiny cats, reading and spending time in Denver's beautiful sunny weather. I look forward to seeing all of you on Community Connections!

New Centers

Congratulations to the following new centers that have recently joined PATH Intl. We're excited to have you with us.

January 2012

Freedom Ranch Therapeutic Riding & Rescue, Santee, CA
Palmer Hope Reins, Columbus, MS
Phantasy Acres, Lutz, FL
Horses Healing Humans, Inc., Voluntown, CT
Pegasus Riding Association Nurturing Challenged Equestrians, South Hampton, ON, Canada
H.E.L.P., Horse Empowered Learning Programs, Manor, TX
Wesley Woods, Indianola, IA

February 2012

Innovative Therapeutic Riding Program, Idaho Falls, ID
Wheatland Farm, Purcelville, VA
Miracle Ranch, Port Orchard, WA
M.E.S.A.Therapeutic Horsemanship Inc., Pinedale, WY
Iron Hearts Inc., Canton, GA

March 2012

Equip Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies, Yorba Linda, CA
Little King Farm Inc., Madison, IN
Upward Transition Therapeutic Horsemanship, Pipe Creek, TX
Hope's Promise, Chester, NJ
Talisman Therapeutic Riding, Inc., Grasonville, MD
Allen's Place Inc., Newton, NC
Medina Creative Therapy Ranch, Medina, OH

Participate in the 2012 Equine Industry Survey

The 2009 Equine Industry Survey completed the largest-ever equine industry survey of 11,171 hands-on horse industry participants in the United States. American Horse Publications will strive to exceed that number with the current 2012 survey. The purpose of this survey is to gauge participation trends and management practices in the U.S. equine industry. In addition, it seeks to gather information regarding the most important issues facing the industry. This is a wonderful opportunity for EAAT to be a part of shaping the equine industry. The deadline for the survey is May 15, 2012. Click here to participate.

Show Us Your Stuff!
Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. And sometimes a video is worth a thousand pictures. PATH Intl. would like to highlight the great work our centers do and the lives that can be enriched through equine-assisted activities and therapies. Send us the url to your youtube videos and we will spotlight them on our website and on our Facebook page. Send your youtube link to Cher Smith.

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.
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.

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 9-12, 2012
Healing Reins in Bend, OR

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 Centre 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

October 14-15, 2012
EQUEST in Wylie, TX

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

PATH Intl. Vaulting Workshop/Certification Event
August 9-12, 2012
Hearts & Horses in Loveland, CO

PATH Intl. Mentor Training

May 20-21, 2012

Saddle Up! in Franklin, TN

June 22-23, 2012
Region 11 Conference in Minden, NV

July 27-28, 2012
Dream Catchers in Williamsburg, VA

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.