PATH Intl. welcomes Bayer Healthcare Animal Health as its newest Gold Level Sponsor! As part of its sponsorship, Bayer is helping PATH Intl. to "innovate" at this year's conference, which will provide handout flash drives for every participant. Thank you and welcome Bayer!

Sign Up With eScrip

With Mother's Day next week and Father's Day, graduations and weddings right around the corner, May is a great time to help PATH Intl. by shopping online through eScrip. By signing up at www.escrip.com, at no cost to you, you can help fund PATH Intl. with up to 16 percent of your online shopping purchases. If you have any questions about helping PATH Intl. with this program or signing your center up as a charity through eScrip, contact Megan Ream.

Equus Foundation Grant

The Equus Foundation, a Silver-level sponsor of PATH Intl., has opened its 2012 grant application process from now until June 15. Please visit the Equus Foundation website for more information and to apply.

A Great Gift Idea

Still looking for a great Mother's Day or graduation gift? Consider giving Hope Haven by Victoria E. Mora, a story about the healing power of horses. Each purchase benefits PATH Intl.

Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International

May 1, 2012

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 add some center video links to pathintl.org to highlight the great work our centers do and the lives that can be enriched through equine-assisted activities and therapies. We want to show everyone what wonderful centers we have and give your center some free publicity at the same time. The PATH Intl. website is viewed by tens of thousands of people around the world every month. What better way to show the world what you do?

Here are two recent examples posted by centers on the PATH Intl. Facebook page.

The Pegashizzle from Pegasus Project Therapeutic Riding Center in Yakima, WA

Ride On St Louis Participates in Hippotherapy & Cerebral Palsy Study at Washington University

Send us the url to your youtube videos and we will spotlight them on our website. Send your youtube link to Cher Smith, PATH Intl. webmaster.

We'd Like Your Feedback

The spring issue of PATH Intl. Strides magazine featured a photograph (page 22) of a pony nuzzling the cheek of a participant. While the moment represented in the photo is not in direct violation of any of the PATH Intl. standards, one of our astute members sent the association an email that contained the following:

"I hope that I am not the only person that you hear from who is appalled by the complete disregard for safety in the picture accompanying your article in Spring 2012 Strides on p. 22. This horse has its teeth on this youngster's cheek! As the director of a PAC and experienced therapeutic horsemanship teacher, I work very hard to keep students safe and not put our therapy horses in situations that could have such a poor outcome as this."

The discussion opened the dialog between the Strides staff, its technical advisor, some center executive directors and an EFP/EFL professional. PATH Intl. centers do indeed have a wide array of horse and participant interaction policies and best practices. Many centers prohibit hand-feeding of treats, for example, and others actually forbid volunteers and participants from ever touching the face of the program horses outside of bridling and unbridling. Still others allow the participants a kiss on the nose, etc. Some won't allow participants to pick feet and yet others consider that a very important part of their skills teaching.

We'd love to hear your feedback, center policies and procedures regarding the type of animal/human interaction represented in this specific instance and other similar interactions. What are your personal feelings?

We'll publish responses in a future PATH Intl. eNews and look forward to the discussion! Thank you in advance.

Facebook and Community Connections Promotional Conference Registration Fee Ends Soon
Everyone loves a great deal and we have one for you! Specifics and a link to a limited-time offer promotional conference registration fee were announced on Facebook and Community Connections. This limited-time promotion runs through May 15 and spots are limited. So if you haven't already, "like" us on Facebook and join "PATH Intl. Community Connections" today!

Deadline Approaching for Awards Nominations

There is still time to submit all award nominations for the special individuals and animals at your PATH Intl. center. Nominations are due no later than May 15, 11:59 p.m., MDT.

Click here for information and the fillable PDF nomination forms

Judges Needed - LAST CALL

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 in need of more judges. Click here for guidelines and to volunteer. Please send your information by May 10!

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.

2012 PATH Intl. Conference and Annual Meeting Scholarships
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. Community Connections Contact Information

PATH Intl. Community Connections is for members by members. It unites members with both similar and diverse interests and provides networking and advocacy opportunities. If you are interested in connecting with other members and shaping the future of PATH Intl., log in to your Community Connections profile today.

In order to promote the growth of this member benefit, PATH Intl. is dedicating a full-time staff member to the operation of PATH Intl. Community Connections. Effective May 17th, PATH Intl. Membership Coordinator Rachel Davis will assume the daily operations of Path Intl. Community Connections. Until then, you may continue to contact Leif Hallberg, the PATH Intl. acting communities coordinator with any questions you may have.

Click here for more information on PATH Intl. Community Connections.

PATH Intl. Pro Shop - NEW! Get a Logo on the Back
If you're in need of cool gear with the PATH Intl. logo, don't forget that you can order it from the PATH Intl. Pro Shop. Even better, you can now order items with a logo on the back. Now, whether you're coming or going, you can show off your PATH Intl. affiliation and pride!

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.

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.

Way to Go, Region 3! A Conference Attendee's Response

The PATH Intl. Region 3 Conference was at the end of March in Williamsburg, VA. Kate White, a conference attendee, filled out the survey and then had these words to say: "It really was a superb conference -- in every way! Dreamcatchers in Toano, Virginia, is truly a slice a heaven, and if I could make a TR center to order, it would be just as theirs is now! It was a wonderful educational experience -- the speakers were first-rate, and I came away not only having learned more than I expected, but with more passion than I went with -- and I really didn't think that was possible!"

Congratulations, Region 3, on putting together such a memorable conference!

Olympian With Brain Injury to Speak at GallopNYC Therapeutic Horsemanship

Courtney King Dye will speak at a reception on behalf of PATH Intl. Center GallopNYC Therapeutic Horsemanship on May 22 at 6:30 p.m., at Chartis, 180 Maiden Lane in Lower Manhattan. The event is sponsored by Chartis. Courtney is an Olympic-level dressage champion who suffered a brain injury in a fall and is using therapeutic riding to recover.

Click here for more information about GallopNYC.

Click here for more information about Courtney King Dye.

For information about attendance, contact Anne Townsend, (917) 740-4695.

Forthcoming Book Looking for Contributing EAAT Author

The editors of the forthcoming book "Biotherapy - History, Principles and Practice. A Practical Guide to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Disease Using Living Organisms" (which will be published by Springer International) are looking for an experienced academic writer with a background and broad knowledge in the field of equine-assisted therapy to contribute a chapter to the book. For more information, contact editor Martin Grassberger.

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 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
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

August 25-26, 2012
Equul Access, Inc., in Hutchinson, MN

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

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