Region 10 Quarterly Newsletter Fall 2018
New Mexico
Ruth B is considering hosting a 3-day Masterson Method Equine Specialist training clinic at Equine Spirit Sanctuary in New Mexico next year (2019). She is aiming for June and would need a minimum of 7 confirmed participants to host the clinic. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. asap via email to let her know if you would be interested in doing this clinic. If there is enough interest she will start getting everything in motion. Link for more info - https://mastersonmethod.com/equine-specialist/
Loving Thunder completed at 12 week riding program over the summer for children in the foster system of New Mexico. Grant funding was procured and provided no cost riding to 12 families. The children ranged in age from 5 to 15. They started their program with learning ground handling skills, bareback riding, and ended with saddle riding and a horse show to exhibit their skills. They completed a drill team pattern including lots of reining, trotting and pattern memorization. One parent was quoted “This program is an experience that all foster children should experience. The horses made them excited each week, they looked forward to grooming (being responsible), and giving respect to the horses and each other, lastly it improved their confidence beyond belief.”
Loving Thunder featured their 2017 Gypsy Gift Horse at the NM State Fair this year. She paraded up and down main street meet fairgoers up close and personal. “Poetry of Lexlin” has had a busy year including, visits to senior centers, the NM Railyard Market, Ballooning for Downs Syndrome, Walk for Autism, walked through our brand new Big R Store and shopped for her own brush. All while she is being saddle trained at the ranch. She loves all the attention she gets, she is a people magnet and a great Ambassador for promoting therapeutic riding in New Mexico.
New Mexico Center for Therapeutic Riding has been on the news lately! Our director, Ashley Armijo was recently featured on KOB’S Pay It 4ward segment. Ashley was nominated by her friend, Natalie Butler, for her work at NMCTR. She was surprised by KOB while working with riders at NMCTR, where she was surprised with a $400 award and a BIG thank you for her hard work and dedication to others. Congrats Ashley! NMCTR is so proud to have you! Video Link
NMCTR Receives an $84,000 Grant from the City of Santa Fe Children and Youth Commission
New Mexico Center for Therapeutic Riding received a grant for $84,000 from the City of Santa Fe Children and Youth Commision. The monies will be granted over two year grant cycle and be used to enhance and maintain NMCTR's children and youth programs. NMCTR has a School Outreach Program and a Self-Mastery Program for the children and youth of Santa Fe and surrounding areas. The School Outreach Program provides scholarships for the Santa Fe public schools that gives four classes a semester free therapeutic riding lessons for an 8-week session. The Self-Mastery Program provides scholarships for at-risk teens that are referred from the suicide prevention project, Santa Fe youth shelters and Santa Fe juvenile detention programs.
PATH Intl Therapeutic Riding Centers from all over the state of New Mexico bring their riders with special needs to compete at the New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque, NM. The 4th annual Horses Helping People Horse Show was designed to give individuals with special needs an opportunity to compete and have fun in specialized events that demonstrate all their abilities and accomplishments! This year there was independent and supported english classes, independent and supported western classes, veteran classes and a lot of smiles. Video link
Colorado
We are so excited to announcement that…from this point forward, Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center will be known as StableStrides. We have a new logo and a new tagline: Health and Healing Through Horses. Video link; Page link
Save the date for the Region 10 Conference, StableStrides (Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center), in Colorado Springs, CO, May 3-5, 2019.
Do you use adopted horses in your program? We want to hear about it! The Right Horse Initiative is working to improve the lives of horses in transition by changing the conversation around equine welfare and massively increasing adoption. Adoptable horses are often healthy, good minded and athletic horses who have found themselves in transition through no fault of their own. The EAAT industry has successfully transitioned many of these horses into therapy roles. Join the conversation and tell your adoption success story at https://therighthorse.org/share-your-story/.
Arizona
Hoof Falls & Footfalls Goes International!
By Saebra Pipoly
I had the immense honor of traveling to South Korea to work with the Korea Racing Authority (KRA) in August. KRA has a branch of their business that offers therapeutic riding and they were recently contacted by local officials to launch a new pilot program to serve the Korean Firefighters.
During my two weeks in South Korea, I taught a basic and intensive workshop at the Let's Run Park Seoul to therapeutic riding instructors and other equine professionals that came from all over South Korea. The workshop focused on building, teaching, and sustaining an equine program for Firefighters, specifically those who may be exhibiting symptoms of PTSD, acute stress disorder anxiety, stress, and physical ailments due to the unique factors of their job.
This workshop hit very close to home in several different ways. First, after a lifetime with horses I know (and you all know) firsthand how lives can be changed through interacting with horses and I was so excited to share information and techniques with instructors on the other side of the world. Second, I am a police wife (yes...different from firefighters but our families experience a lot of the same things). Seeing the impact that the job and shift work have on first responders is not just something I know about, it is a firsthand reality. Addressing mental health, building resiliency, and keeping our first responders and military personnel not only physically safe but mentally safe should be utmost priority no matter what country they live in.
The equine program for firefighters starts in mid September at various therapeutic riding centers across South Korea. Keep our South Korean instructors (most certified as Registered or Advanced TRI through PATH Intl.) in your thoughts and prayers as they embark on this exciting new journey! I have no doubt they will provide a safe, quality equine program to the Firefighters. I am looking forward to hearing updates (and will share them with you all) about all the amazing things done and lives impacted by our fellow instructors and four footed colleagues in South Korea!
Click Here to view the South Korea- Aug. 2018 Photo Album!
Saebra Pipoly
Owner/Founder of Hoof Falls & Footfalls, LLC
PATH Intl. Advanced TRI, ESMHL, Instructor Mentor
PATH Intl. Registered OSWSC Associate Faculty/Evaluator
www.HoofFallsandFootfalls.com
Task Analysis: If you are an instructor you have probably heard this term. Task analysis is a key block of the foundation that makes up a solid instructors. A lot of people know 'what' task analysis is...but actually implementing it and the 'how' of task analysis can sometimes seem llusive. Read the blog post here.
This fall, Horses Help will be conducting its first research project with ASU doctoral student and Horses Help volunteer, Allison Solarz. Allison is pursuing her Doctorate of Nurse Practitioner (DNP) in Mental Health degree. For her research project, she will be measuring the effects of Equine Assisted Activities on family function using our Family H.E.R. D. program. H.E.R.D. is an acronym for Honor. Emotion. Respect. Devotion. The family program is designed for all members to experience activities and challenges together while learning about horses. Families will learn about equine communication, care and handling in groundwork activities and challenges such as grooming and leading. It gives an opportunity to learn about the individual person as well as how the family functions together as a whole. The Family H.E.R.D. program is not a therapy program, but rather an opportunity to experience horses and barn-style learning together.
Silver Linings would like to welcome our new Executive Director, Stephanie Green. After seven and a half years with Silver Lining Riding, founder Amanda Hart has decided to take some time and be a full time mom. Thank you for your service Amanda!
PATH Intl. Registered Instructor OSWC
November 17-20 (17-19 for workshop; 19-20 for certification)
TROT
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Click here to download the registration form
December 12-15
Horses Help
Click here to register
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for info
Utah
Congratulations to Marci Bender Park City, UT on becoming a PATH Intl. Certified Master Instructor!
Wyoming
Congratulations to
Children, Horses and Adults in PartnerShip (CHAPS) Equine Assisted Therapy. The Sheridan Press featured one of their veterans in the article, "
Paylor Finds a Second Wind With CHAPS."
Reach 4A Star Riding Academy is excited to have started our veterans’ program due to the generosity of the PATH International Equine Services for Heroes grant. This pilot program allowed us the opportunity serve veterans in our community and get the word out about the power of the horse with healing. We are exploring additional grant opportunities to continue to fund this program and expand services to include family.
Summer was busy with camps this year. Besides providing Leadership Horse Camps for Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming, we partnered again with Central Wyoming Hospice to serve 45 youth ages 6-16 who are experiencing grief. We offer two 3-day camps in order to accommodate this many kids, and we are currently creating a grief camp tailored toward adults.
Our mental health programs continue to grow with increasing collaborations with a local counseling center as well as the Department of Family Services. We currently offer programs for individuals and groups of adolescents to improve communication skills, problem solving, and team work while working with the horses. The counseling center has requested additional programs for their elementary school aged clients and for clients with chronic mental illness who live in group homes.
2019 October Region 1 Quarterly News
2020 Region 1 Conference:
Mark your calendar! The 2020 Region 1 Conference will be held at Full Circle Farm in Newport, NH April 25 & 26. Do you have a great idea you want to share with your PATH Intl. colleagues? Each year the PATH Intl. Regional Conferences offer valuable learning opportunities for everyone involved in equine-assisted activities and therapies or for those wishing to learn more about EAAT. Not only is there a variety of information shared through sessions, but attendees also can network with colleagues and earn continuing education. Currently PATH Intl. is conducting a call for abstracts for Region 1. Presentations vary and may include, but are not limited to, equine welfare, working with veterans, EAL, EFP, hippotherapy, personal development and administrative topics.
The deadline is November 22, 2019. Click below to get started!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYlVrXFmM-H_tPbv7RWZWjxxzsl6ARqmO1nyiVrjISbUtjjg/viewform
Abilities Expo
PATH Intl. Region 1 was a vendor at this year’s Abilities Expo in Boston, MA. A huge thanks goes out to Sarah Norris for coordinating the booth, Kassandra from Strongwater Farm, Andrew from The Bridge Center, and Jen Wright from Windrush Farm for volunteering their time to share information about PATH Intl., location of centers within our region, and information on what equine assisted activities and therapies are, benefits, and center needs.
Region 1 Leadership Team
Kristen McGraw, Region 1 Representative is actively accepting volunteer applications for State Chairs, Treasurer, and Communication Chair. Terms are two years and begin January 1, 2020. For a copy of the various volunteer job descriptions, or to submit an application and resume, please contact Kristen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. The application can be found at https://www.pathintl.org/images/pdf/about-narha/path-intl-volunteer-application-2018.pdf.
NESAR
What is NESAR? New England Special Activities Resources (NESAR), provides scholarships to PATH Intl. Region 1 members. The scholarship program focuses on individuals who might not be able to attend educational programs and certifications without financial support.
Scholarship applications are approved by the Scholarship Committee and are capped at 50% of tuition costs or $300, whichever is less. Only tuition costs are eligible for scholarship. Housing or travel expenses are not considered.
To qualify for a NESAR scholarship, you must be a current PATH Intl. member, reside or provide equine assisted activities in PATH Intl. Region 1 (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, New Hampshire, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Rhode Island, or Vermont), and have not received a NESAR scholarship within a 2-year calendar period. The application can be found on the Region 1 page of the PATH Intl. website:
www.pathintl.org/images/content/regions/region-1/pdf/NESAR-and-PATH-Intl-Region-1-Scholarship-Guidelines-and-application-forms-01-18.pdf.
Please contact Scholarship Chair, Liz Adams, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.
Center Bits and Pieces:
Carlisle Academy Integrative Equine Therapy & Sports, Lyman, Maine was featured in a piece by WGME Channel 13 that aired on July 4th about their veterans’ programs. In addition, they hosted a Family Farm Day and Open House for veterans and the public on Saturday, August 3rd. In early September, Carlisle hosted a USEF Para-Dressage Seminar with Michel Assouline. Riders, coaches, and auditors alike all appreciated Michel’s watchful eye and ever-astute instruction alongside presentations on “PT & Fitness” and “Motivation & Mindset” by experts Janet Smaldone and Kim Lloyd. In mid-September, Sarah Armentrout, PATH Intl. Advanced Level Instructor and Janet Smaldone, PT headed to Tryon, NC to cheer on para-dressage athletes at the National Championships as well as complete professional development certifications of their own. Janet participated in the long-anticipated USEF National Para-Dressage Classifier Course and Sarah received her certificate as a USEF Para-Dressage Silver Coach. Congratulations to Sarah, Janet and Carlisle Academy!
LaDawn Therapeutic Riding Center, Dayton, Maine riders had a busy summer participating in several shows at Mousam Saddle and Harness Club. Horses and riders alike were well turned out for these shows! LaDawn Therapeutic Riding Center is having their annual Halloween fundraising with horses dressed as Halloween along our spookily decorated trail. This year it will take place on October 12th and 19th. Along the trail will be candy stations for the participants, where they will pick up goodie bags during their ride.
Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center, Windham, Maine is now getting back to the school year schedule. RTT welcomed two new staff members at the end of summer: Equine Manger Kristin Meaney, PATH Intl CTRI, and Office Manager, Laura Rochette. At the end of the summer, RTT had two volunteers who attended the Masterson Method Clinic at High Horses in VT—RTT’s horses are looking forward to having some practice/case study time with these volunteers! Staff and volunteers are gearing up for RTT’s signature event—The Triple B-Boots, Band and BBQ which will be held on October 19th with this year’s theme being RTT superheroes! They come in all ages, sizes and species—and include our clients, our volunteers, our horses (large and small!) and of course our donors. In November, Linda Crabtree, a Reiki Teacher/ Practitioner and Nationally Certified Equine Acupressure Practitioner will be at RTT for a half day workshop on Acupressure Basics for staff and volunteers. Lastly, Riding To The Top plans to offer at least one more OSWC before July 2020. If you are interested in attending an OSWC, please contact Kate Jeton, Program Director at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to be notified once dates are finalized for this workshop/certification
UpReach Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Goffstown, NH has been named a 2019 Champion in Action® in the category of Veterans & Military Families. The award, announced jointly by Citizens Bank and New Hampshire Union Leader, includes $35,000 in unrestricted funding as well as promotional and volunteer support for the organization’s outstanding work.
UpReach Therapeutic Equestrian Center partners with Camp Resilience and The Equine Immersion Program to offer equine-assisted activities and therapies specifically for veterans and their families.
Champions in Action is part of Citizens Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities, the bank’s program designed to enhance quality of life and economic vitality in local communities. In partnership with the New Hampshire Union Leader, the program provides support for nonprofit organizations to recognize their contributions to communities throughout the state.
“UpReach Therapeutic Equestrian Center helps veterans and military families in a unique and effective way,” said Joe Carelli, President, Citizens Bank, New Hampshire. “By utilizing the power of the equestrian therapy to help veterans face challenges, overcome barriers and achieve possibilities, UpReach is a true Champion in Action.”
"The New Hampshire Union Leader is pleased to honor the work of UpReach Therapeutic Equestrian Center and to share its great story of inspiring hope and fostering independence," said Brendan McQuaid, President, New Hampshire Union Leader.
To date, the Champions in Action program has awarded 337 nonprofits across the bank’s footprint more than $9 million in contributions and promotional support. In New Hampshire, 52 nonprofits have been honored as Champions in Action, receiving more than $1.4 million.
“Being named a Champion in Action enhances UpReach’s ability to address the invisible wounds of war and empower service members to experience the quality of life they seek and deserve,” said Karen Kersting, UpReach Therapeutic Equestrian Center Executive Director.
Full Circle Farm Therapeutic Horsemanship in Newport, NH had a busy summer with new participants joining us and a new program we call HOPE (Horses Offering Positive Experiences) We added another HOPE class this fall thanks to a donation through the Renaissance Charitable Foundation
Our annual horse show on August 3rd for the participants was a success! We treat it as a special day to show what the riders have been working on all year and as a fund raiser for scholarships. Now we are starting our busy fall session with all the school programs coming back from summer break.
In August we became a chapter of DSUSA (Disabled Sports USA). We are very excited to be affiliated with them.
Touchtone Farm in Temple, NH will host a PATH Intl. Driving workshop Oct 8 to 10 and Certification Oct 10 – 12.
Vermont Horse-Assisted Therapy in Middlesex, Vermont is about to begin the ninth year of our signature after-school program, with eight students on the autism spectrum beginning eight weeks of team-building games, mounted and unmounted lessons, and completing a work job on the farm. Each student has his or her own horse and aide and seeing them progress both in riding and in making new interpersonal connections is rewarding. We'll also complete a program in conjunction with a local mental health agency for students with social and emotional challenges. Last spring, they spent six weeks doing unmounted work; this fall they're excited to get six weeks of riding! Thanks to all the beloved school horses who make this possible; they're our best teachers. Sarah Seidman, Program Director VHAT
High Horses Therapeutic Riding Program in Sharon, Vermont is preparing for our annual rider horse show on and virtual horse show open to other therapeutic riding centers. Our first gala will be held on October 19th, 2019 themed Magic in Motion.
We are hosting Horse Speak Phase III on November 1-3, 2019 with Sharon Wilsie & Heidi Potter auditors welcome.
Manes & Motions in Middletown, Ct provided a six-week therapeutic riding program for the summer, serving more than 65 children and adults this summer. Manes & Motions also provided the Equi-strong program for eight area Veterans. The unmounted program focused on the connection between horses and humans through the development of natural horsemanship skills. Additionally, fourteen boys and girls ages 6-12 years of all abilities, took part in the Horse Adventure program learning to ride and practice compassionate horsemanship skills while making new friends in a supportive environment. This fall, in addition to the mounted program, Manes & Motions will offer children ages 11-18 years, the Pathways Youth Development program, which focuses on reinforcing key life skills, building confidence and empathy. Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center located in Middletown, is a member of the Hospital for Special Care community, and a PATH Intl. premier accredited center. For more information, call 860-685-0008 or visit our website at: https://hfsc.org/sports-and-fitness/manes-and-motions/
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding in Old Lyme, CT is pleased to announce that Chelsea Bourn will be joining the team as Program Director.
Chelsea moves to High Hopes from the Glenholme School in Washington, CT where, as Transition Program Director, she was responsible for the development and implementation of life-skills curriculum to young adults aged 18-22, with cognitive and emotional disabilities. Amongst many other achievements she established an Equine Assisted Therapy Program at Glenholme.
In many ways, Chelsea is ‘returning home.’ From the age of 15, Chelsea was an “avid” volunteer in the High Hopes’ programs, living as she did at that time in Essex. “Although I began volunteering ‘selfishly’ for more time with the horses,” reflects Chelsea, “the time [I spent at High Hopes] eventually guided my professional ambitions.” During her undergraduate career, she completed two internships at High Hopes, one in Occupational Therapy and the other with Special Programs. “I am so happy to be joining the High Hopes’ team … I often joked that I wanted to ‘run summer camp year-round’ and so, experiential learning for people with disabilities became by primary career ambition.”
“We are delighted to welcome Chelsea back in this key position,” said Kitty Stalsburg, Executive Director. “Megan Ellis, our Program Director for the last three years is a hard act to follow, but we have no doubt that Chelsea will continue to build on all that Megan has achieved, as well as utilizing her extensive research career to keep High Hopes’ Programs at the leading edge of Therapeutic Horsemanship in the U.S. and beyond. She brings many strengths in applied behavior analysis, professional development for educators, individual education plans, scheduling, and developing vocational opportunities for students.”
Chelsea holds a Master of Arts in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Connecticut and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Special Education from Salve Regina University in Rhode Island. Since 2014, she has taught part-time as an Adjunct Instructor of General Psychology, Lifespan Development, and Child Development at Tunxis Community College.
High Hopes has launched a new 16-day education course. This PATH Intl. Approved Instructor Training Course (ITC) provides opportunities for education and gaining knowledge in all areas of the PATH Intl. TRI and CTRI. Candidates who complete their ITC at High Hopes may also go on to complete their mentored teaching hours at our highly respected training facility in Old Lyme. High Hopes’ staff and Corps of 650 volunteers provide therapeutic riding, carriage driving, and equine facilitated learning programs to approximately 240 participants each week. We have delivered the Approved Instructor Training Course since 1996 and are a leader in non-profit management. Candidates taking the ITC at High Hopes will have plenty of opportunity to learn and be mentored by, our staff of Master, Advanced and Specialty Certified Instructors. You may start your training in September 2019 or January 2020. Call Sarah Carlson Miller at 860.434.1974 x115 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information or go to: https://highhopestr.org/07/30/training-education-2019-2020/
High Hopes will be holding a PATH Intl. Onsite Workshop & Certification between November 18 and November 20, 2019. This is a perfect opportunity for anyone who has completed the prerequisites to continue the certification process, or for those considering a career in Therapeutic Riding to find out more about the new CTRI process. More information can be found here: https://highhopestr.org/event/path-intl-onsite-workshop-certification-registered-instructor-2020/. Call Sarah Carlson Miller at 860.434.1974 x115 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
You’ve got your PATH Intl. ESMHL – now go beyond! High Hopes will be running a “Beyond ESMHL” workshop April 17 - 19, 2020. This workshop offers opportunities beyond the ESMHL course and is designed for EAAT Professionals seeking an interactive, hands-on, educational and networking experience. It will enhance your understanding of the benefits of EAAT and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and present more tools for future lessons. PATH Intl. Approved CEUs 2 ESMHL CR, 6 DE, 8 CE. This course fills quickly, apply online at: https://highhopestr.org/event/beyond-esmhl-next-steps-workshop-2020/
High Hopes 9th Annual Holiday Market will take place on Sunday, November 17, 2019. Between 11 am and 4 pm over 3,000 visitors will visit the farm in Old Lyme where Horses & Humans Improve Lives. The Market, sponsored by Benchmark Wealth Managers, will feature over 60 artisan vendors, the BEST food trucks in Connecticut, kids’ activities, the opportunity to win a Subaru Forester sponsored by Reynolds Subaru of Lyme. For more information got to: https://www.facebook.com/events/257890715088035/
High Hopes' 16-day PATH Intl. APPROVED INSTRUCTOR TRAINING COURSE (ITC) Register for the full, 16-day ITC, which provides all the education components required of the PATH Intl. Registered Instructor Level Certification process.
Following completion of the full 16-day course, the 25-hr practicum component may be undertaken at High Hopes. This course starts twice a year, starting September and January 2020.
THE NEXT DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING REGION 1 NEWS IS December 15
Join the PATH Intl. Region 1 Social Media Sites:
Region 1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1472283369670508/?ref=bookmarks
Yahoo List Serve: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/PATHIntl-Region1/info
Subscribe to Yahoo List Serve: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Communication Connections on PATH Intl. Website Link: https://www.pathintl.org/path-intl-membership/my-community. Once at this point, you will fill in your information and then look for the Region One Page
The next deadline for submitting region 1 news is December 15
Join the PATH Intl. Region 1 Social Media Sites:
Region 1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1472283369670508/?ref=bookmarks
Yahoo List Serve: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/PATHIntl-Region1/info
Subscribe to Yahoo List Serve: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Community Connections on PATH Intl. Website Link: https://www.pathintl.org/path-intl-membership/my-community Once at this point, you will fill in your information and then look for the Region One Page