The 2012 PATH Intl. Standards for Certification and Accreditation are here! This first phase of the multi-year standards reorganization process is complete.

The 2012 PATH Intl. Standards for Certification and Accreditation manual is now available for members to download or purchase from the PATH Intl. website. All centers will receive a CD with their annual standards packet.

Country With a Kick - Bucking Horse Style

Want your country with a little kick? The Monroe, WA-based band Bucking Horse will play at the PATH Intl. Conference closing reception, November 3, at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue, WA, after the Horse Expo.

Bucking Horse plays modern favorites, classics and original pieces--a perfect ending for the conference and will give attendees the chance to kick up their boots one final time before heading home.

There is plenty of fun in store in addition to the incredible lineup of presenters. You won't want to miss a minute of the 2012 PATH Intl. Conference and Annual Meeting, October 31-November 3. Look for the registration booklet included with the Summer issue of PATH Intl. Strides, coming this month and register early!

Maintaining PATH Intl.'s Spam-Free Reputation

If someone you know has been complaining about not receiving information from PATH Intl., remind them to check their email address. In order for someone to receive PATH Intl. eNews and all conference updates, regional conference news, information about voting procedures, etc., PATH Intl. must have a non-generic email address in the database. In order to maintain our spam-free reputation with our e-communications service, we cannot mail to addresses that begin with "info," "admin," "director," "executive director" or any permutation of these. You can get a free email address from yahoo, gmail or hotmail, or check with your service provider. When you have your new email address, log in to your account on the website and update your record.

If at one point you "opted out" of receiving communication from PATH Intl., you will need to opt back in (the PATH Intl. office cannot add you back in). Click here to opt in.

Thank you for helping to keep PATH Intl.'s reputation clean while you receive the best and most current member communications!

PATH Intl. Task Force Seeks New Member

The Path Intl. Faculty Development Task Force is looking for a new member. The mission of the task force is to develop criteria for new and continuing faculty trainers, to review processes and procedures and to recruit and train faculty for PATH Intl. credentialing and educational programs. Background in education or training is helpful, along with the ability to attend a morning conference call once a month.

To apply please fill out the volunteer application and submit it with a resume to Jeff Kelling.

Form Region-Wide Relationships With Your EAAT Peers - PATH Intl. Seeks Region Representative Nominations

PATH Intl. is seeking Membership Oversight Committee Region Representative nominations. This year nominations are being accepted for even-numbered regions: 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10.

Click here for requirements and to download the fillable nomination form. Nominations are due to your current region representative no later than July 15. If you prefer, you may print the nomination form, fill it in by hand and mail it to the PATH Intl. office. All handwritten nomination forms must be received by the office by July 15 in order for the nomination to be considered.

If you have any questions please contact Jama Rice at the PATH Intl. office.

PATH Intl. Center's Award-Winning Horse in the News

The American Morgan Horse Association named PATH Intl. Center Member Rose of Sharon Equestrian School's horse, Merlin, the Therapy Horse of the Year for 2011. Merlin was then awarded the Maryland Horse Industry Board "Touch of Class" award for May 2012. Here is a letter from Joan Twining, founder and executive director of ROSES.

Dear Friends of ROSES!

Some of you may already know that Merlin, ROSES' first resident horse, was named the American Morgan Horse Association's Therapy Horse of the Year for 2011. Because of that award, he was profiled and 'interviewed' earlier this year by Mary Gail Hare of the Baltimore Sun and two local television reporters: Sherrie Johnson (ABC 2) and Joel Smith (Fox 45). He was proud but humble during all the attention. Things settled down and we thought that was that...

Signed by the Governor!

Well, imagine our surprise when the Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) called to say that they had been watching Merlin through the media and had decided to honor him with their "Touch of Class" award for May 2012! Because of his age, they knew he would not be able to travel to receive his award, so they sent a delegation to him!

What is the secret to his success? read more

Upcoming Region Conferences: Save the Date
Region 10 July 6-8 Fort Collins, CO; Contact: Jan Pollema Region 5 August 3-5 Tampa, FL; Contact: Susan Lutz Region 8 August 3-5 Stephenville, TX; Contact: Joan Cutler Region 7 August 10-12 St. Louis, MO; Contact: Monica Marsh 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
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 17-20, 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
September 10-12, 2012
BraveHearts in Harvard, IL

October 14-15, 2012
EQUEST in Wylie, TX

October 22-23, 2012
Ride On in Chatsworth, CA

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

PATH Intl. Vaulting Workshop/Certification Event
October 21-24, 2012
Hearts & Horses in Loveland, CO

PATH Intl. Mentor Training

August 25-26, 2012

Equul Access, Inc., in Hutchinson, MN

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

October 30-31, 2012
PATH Intl. Conference in Bellevue, WA

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.