Twenty-five instructors certified through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) received veteran-focused training thanks to a grant PATH Intl. received from the United States Department of Veteranâs Affairs to support disabled veterans in adaptive sports.
Hats off to therapeutic horsemanship for veterans
Funds will benefit an estimated 1,500 deserving veterans as a result of their direct participation in equine-assisted activities and therapies at PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Centers.
The three-day training took place March 26-28, 2015, at BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center, a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center in Harvard, IL. The training provided customized education for working with this honorable and distinguished population.
PATH Intl. was one of 69 grant awardees from the United States Department of Veteranâs Affairs to support disabled veterans in adaptive sports. PATH Intl. was awarded $100,000 for the period of October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015.
Funds will benefit an estimated 1,500 deserving veterans as a result of their direct participation in equine-assisted activities and therapies at PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Centers.
This training will also be offered in an online format available to all PATH Intl. Certified Instructors.
Sam Albrecht, PATH Intl. Director of Membership and Programs, a US Air Force Veteran from Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, says, âThese funds will enable the association and its members to continue to help veterans from all conflicts and branches of the military through their interaction with horses.â
There are currently 350 PATH Intl. Member Centers serving veterans, and more than 4,500 veterans receive equine-assisted activities and therapies from those centers.
As one workshop attendee noted on the PATH International Equine Services for Heroes® Facebook page, âThis was a great training opportunity. Ready to serve hundreds of vets.â
To learn more about PATH International Equine Services for Heroes, click here. To learn more about PATH Intl., visit www.pathintl.org.
About PATH International Equine Services for Heroes®
PATH International Equine Services for Heroes assists wounded military veterans and service personnel through services provided at PATH Intl. Member Centers by PATH International Certified Instructors.
Engaging wounded veterans and service personnel as EAAT participants has proven to be very successful. EAAT has shown to be especially beneficial for individuals with the diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , traumatic brain injury (TBI) and many other physical, emotional and cognitive challenges.
About PATH Intl.
The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International® (PATH Intl.®) was formed in 1969 to promote safety and optimal outcomes in equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) for individuals with special needs. At 852 member centers, more than 58,000 children and adults may find improved health, wellness and a sense of pride and independence through involvement with horses.
Therapeutic horsemanship at member centers may include hippotherapy, equine-facilitated mental health, driving, interactive vaulting, trail riding, competition, ground work and stable management. Through a wide variety of educational resources, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful EAAT programs.
There are nearly 53,000 volunteers, 4,544 instructors, 7,733 equines and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH Intl. Member Centers.