Advertise your product to 7,500 PATH Intl. Instructors and 850 Member Centers. Join PATH Intl. as a Corporate Member. Corporate members receive discounts on advertising in PATH Intl. Strides, exhibiting at the international conference and social media posts.

Check it out on the PATH Intl. Corporate Sponsorship page. Any questions, contact Megan Ferry or call her at (303) 452-1212, ext. 107.

Welcome Sponsors!

logo PATH Intl. is excited to announce that Equisure has joined PATH Intl. as a Silver sponsor for the next two years!

logo RevitaVet joined as PATH Intl.'s newest sponsor at the Pewter level.

If you are interested in sponsoring PATH Intl., please contact Megan Ream Ferry, who will tell you about the benefits of partnering with PATH Intl.

Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International

March 5, 2013

Recruiting New Members Equals Opportunity for Prizes!

We at Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (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 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 to win prizes.

Last year, Pebbles Turbeville of Region 3 was the 1st prize winner and won the pick-a-trip weekend package. Horses Help of Region 10 won a $100 gift card, and Amanda Costa of Region 5 won the drawing for a free conference registration.

This year, the grand prize is a two-night stay at one of four exciting locations! Click here for full details and prizes.

Thank you for your efforts for all members recruited by June 30, 2013!

PATH Intl. Gathering Information on Member Research

One of the major areas of growth within the equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) industry is research in all areas of equine/human activity. Numerous PATH Intl. members and centers are driving this activity. At this time, the association would like to gather information on who is doing research, topics of research, plans for publication, academic partners, etc. The purpose of this request is to facilitate discussion among PATH Intl. members, to keep them informed of the exciting work being done by association members, to create a PATH Intl. Community Connection group for researchers, to create a research page on the PATH Intl. website to offer opportunities for interaction and discussion and to support and promote the work of PATH Intl. members.

We invite PATH Intl. members and centers who have completed, are currently conducting or planning to conduct research projects that have Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval to send any information they are willing to share publicly to Jeff Kelling, PATH Intl. Programs and Education Manager.

Apply for a PATH Intl. Conference Scholarship!

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 2013 conference scholarship application and the 2013 Marjorie V. Kittredge Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy and Learning Scholarship application are due by email to Rachel Davis no later than June 28, 2013.

Everyone is encouraged to apply! Click below to download applications or find them on the 2013 PATH Intl. Conference page.

2013 PATH Intl. Conference and Annual Meeting Scholarship

2013 Marjorie V. Kittredge Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy and Learning Scholarship

2013 PATH Intl. Conference Information

Hotel Information

The 2013 PATH Intl. Conference and Annual Meeting page has detailed information on the great Orlando, FL, location and links to possible fun-in-the-sun activities in the area. Information about the conference site and hotel, the Caribe Royale, has been updated.

To reserve your room, call (888) 258-7501 and reference PATH Intl. or reserve your room online.

Call for Papers

Deadline: March 29, 2013, 11:59 p.m., MDT.

Click here for information and guidelines.

Click here for the abstract submission form.

Award Nominations

Deadline: 12 midnight, MDT, May 20.

Click here for information and for the fillable nomination form.

PATH Intl. Master Certification Process Updated

Demonstrate to employers and participants' families that you have the ability to step into any instruction situation in the field of EAAT and manage effectively. Apply for your PATH Intl. Master Certification!

A volunteer team of advanced and master instructors have recently updated and completed the Master Certification Application booklet. Some of the revisions include an updated process map to clearly lead candidates through the certification activities and deadlines, an updated timeline for the 2013 certification, samples of case study submissions and a communication timeline with the examining panel.

PATH Intl. Master Instructors have a strong background in horsemanship, teaching and a thorough knowledge of a variety of physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities and their relationship to therapeutic riding and other EAAT. They are also qualified to train other therapeutic riding instructors to the advanced level. PATH Intl. Master Instructor Certification is designed for all instructors who wish to be recognized at the highest level of their profession.

To learn of prerequisites, qualifications and fees for master instructor certification, click here.

For the 2013 cycle only, an Intent to Apply form and application fee are due April 1st. The remaining deadline dates depicted in the flow chart will remain in effect. For the 2014 cycle, the Intent to Apply deadline will return to February 15.

If you have any questions, please contact Denise Fager.

Mandatory Evaluator Update Webinar

March 26 at 4 p.m. PST

April 17 at 4 p.m. PST

Attention PATH Intl. Evaluators:

Sandy Webster, PATH Intl. Master Instructor and Lead Evaluator, will be giving an evaluator update webinar for those evaluators who missed the last one. There is no cost! In this mandatory webinar, Sandy will be presenting the new riding/teaching forms with instruction on how to use them. These will be the only live webinar offerings, so please plan on attending one or the other.

Please email Corey Campbell to sign up. If you have questions regarding the evaluator update, contact Denise Fager.

Equine Tip From the PATH Intl. Equine Welfare Committee

Tracking Equine Travel Patterns in Snow
By Jayna Wekenman, PATH Intl. Equine Welfare Committee member

Have you ever wondered how your equines use paddock areas in the winter? Where
do they travel, with what frequency and why? Snow is great for tracking travel patterns and gaining insight to these questions. Locations without snow can also track travel patterns by observing wear patterns of forages and ground substrates. In this article, I describe my experience and insights after observing snow disturbance in the paddock of my two equines. Try a similar observational exercise specific to your organization. The results may only be speculation, but a perspective on equine travel patterns can lead to insights on equine behavior, well-being and property use. Read more.

The PATH Intl. Equine Welfare Committee encourages positive and engaging educational exploration from our readers; we'd love to hear your feedback! Let us know if you have any questions about our tip or have a suggestion about specific topics you would like covered in the future. Email Kristin Mason, EWC chair. Thank you!

Join us in the online PATH Intl. Equine Welfare Community!

Participate in lively, thought-provoking and sometimes controversial discussions in the PATH Intl. Equine Welfare Community. No matter your specific interest (EFP, therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, carriage driving, interactive vaulting, etc.), they ALL involve partnering with equines. Exchange ideas, ask questions, offer comments and suggestions, and "pick the brains" of some of our industry's most experienced and qualified people. Access the forum through the PATH Intl. website by clicking on the Community Connections button in the left menu. If you have any questions about joining the PATH Intl. Equine Welfare Community, please email Moderator Patty D'Andrea.

Your EFP Experience Needed for Research Study

Are you a mental health professional who is actively incorporating equine-assisted activities into your practice? If so, Taylor M. Ham, a graduate student in the marriage and family program at Virginia Tech, invites you to participate in a research study for her master's thesis about uses of equine-assisted psychotherapy or equine-facilitated psychotherapy to treat relational issues.

All information given will remain confidential and anonymous, and IP addresses will not be recorded.

Click here to participate in this study. Thank you in advance for your time and contribution to the field of equine-assisted psychotherapy.

For more information, contact:
Taylor M. Ham
(703) 896-6694

$50,000 Available to Researchers Investigating the Therapeutic Effects of Horses on Humans

Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) announces an open call for proposals to investigate the therapeutic effects of horses on humans. HHRF is accepting applications for grants up to $50,000. The Foundation's broad research agenda includes basic research as well as clinical studies that will ultimately impact physical and mental health and quality of life for those engaged in equine-assisted activities and therapies. Deadline for submission proposals is June 15, 2013.

Click here for information.

Student Volunteer Opportunities in Thailand Could Help Your PATH Intl. Center Receive $500
If your center has high-school age volunteers who would be interested in volunteering in Thailand, Loop Abroad offers experiential summer programs in Thailand for high school students. Any student who volunteers with Loop Abroad through a PATH Intl. Center will have $500 of their tuition donated to the PATH Intl. Center of their choice. Contact Loop Abroad for information.

PATH Intl. Events Calendar

Unless otherwise noted, contact Denise Fager at (800) 369-7433, ext. 114, 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. homepage or on the PATH Intl. events calendar.

PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning Workshop and Practical Skills Testing
May 21-24, 2013
R.O.C.K., Ride on Center for Kids in Georgetown, TX

September 11-15, 2013
Special People United to Ride (SPUR) in Lincroft, NJ

September 27-30, 2013
Horse Power at Touchstone Farm in Temple, NH

October 23-26, 2013
Hearts and 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.
June 29-July 3, 2013
BraveHearts at the Bergmann Centre in Poplar Grove, IL

October 15-19, 2013
Horse Power at Touchstone Farm in Temple, NH

PATH Intl. Advanced Certification Event
March 14-16, 2013
Equest in Wylie, TX

March 22-24, 2013
Horses Help in Phoenix, AZ

May 28-30, 2013
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding in Old Lyme, CT

PATH Intl. Vaulting Workshop/Certification Event

April 20-23, 2013
Hands and Hearts for Horses in Thomasville, GA

PATH Intl. Mentor Training

May 18-19, 2013
Maryland Therapeutic Riding in Crownsville, MD

June 13-14, 2013
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc., in Old Lyme, CT

June 28-29, 2013
Dream Catchers at the Cori Sikich Riding Center in Williamsburg, VA

Please visit the PATH Intl. events calendar for a list of 2013 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.