PATH Intl. is honored to announce that once again the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), as part of its Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for Disabled Veterans and Disabled Members of the Armed Forces, has granted PATH Intl. the amount of $375,000, an increase of $100,000 over last year.
Equine-assisted activities for veterans
The USA Dept. of VA, as part of its Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for Disabled Veterans and Disabled Members of the Armed Forces, has granted PATH Intl. the amount of $375,000.
The grant cycle will be from October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. In total, $8 million was granted to 96 national, regional and community-based organizations in 33 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
These funds, which the VA has designated for use by PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Centers, will be used for the reimbursement of direct services provided to veterans through equine-assisted activities and therapies, awards for supplies related to centers' veterans programing, training and technical assistance, which has funded the creation of online and in-person veteran specific training for PATH Intl. Certified Instructors, as well as many other opportunities that support outreach to veterans nationwide.
Since the first funds received from the Department of Veteran's Affairs grant, PATH Intl. has been able to expand education to 338 PATH Intl. Certified Instructors who successfully completed the online PATH International Equine Services for Heroes(r) Course.
Additionally, 75 PATH Intl. Certified Instructors have attended veteran-specific in-person intensive trainings, helping to spread education and awareness to serve veterans in all corners of the U.S.
This treasured partnership between PATH Intl. and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is in its fourth year. To date $926,275 from the VA has come to the association, and nearly 700 unique veterans have been served as a result. That fact alone is truly something worth celebrating!
Information on the VA Adaptive Sports Grant can be found at https://www.va.gov/adaptivesports/. To keep abreast of events with PATH International Equine Services for Heroes, like its Facebook page<https://www.facebook.com/pathintlheroes/>. Information on PATH International Equine Services for Heroes(r) can be found at www.pathintl.org/resources-education/path-intl-equine-services-for-heroes<http://www.pathintl.org/resources-education/path-intl-equine-services-for-heroes>.
About PATH Intl.:
The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International(r) (PATH Intl.(r)) was formed in 1969 to promote safety and optimal outcomes in equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) for individuals with special needs.
At 881 member centers, more than 66,000 children and adults, including 6,200 veterans, may find improved health, wellness and a sense of pride, independence and fun 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 62,500 volunteers, 5,011 instructors, 7,800 equines and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH Intl. Member Centers.