Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) Award Winners were honored November 11, 2011, at the annual PATH Intl. Awards Banquet, the highlight of the 2011 PATH Intl. Conference, Annual Meeting and Horse Expo, in the Grand Hyatt Bluegrass Ballroom in Lexington, KY.
The banquet featured an excellent dinner, punctuated by cheers and happy tears for the people who exemplify the best of the wonderful population of participants, instructors, volunteers and equines who work together to change the lives of people who live with physical, mental, emotional and learning challenges.
The following people received 2011 PATH Intl. Achievement Awards
James Brady Lifetime Achievement Award: Mary Jo Beckman, Loudoun Therapeutic Riding, Inc., Leesburg, VA.
PATH Intl. Adult Equestrian Recognition Award: Shellie Muzzey, Region 9, Sagebrush Equine Training Center for the Handicapped, Hailey, ID
PATH Intl. Child Equestrian Award: Milee Huffman, Region 3, St. Andrews Ride Like a Knight, Laurinburg, NC
PATH Intl. Independent Adult Equestrian Recognition Award: Lara Oles, Region 10, National Ability Center, Park City, UT
PATH Intl. Youth Equestrian Recognition Award: Carly Renguette, Region 6, Midwest Therapeutic Riding Program, Racine, WI
PATH Intl. Horses for Heroes of the Year: Ryan Ohrmundt, Region 7, BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center, Harvard, IL
PATH Intl. Sis Gould Driving Award: Corie Brooks, Region 11, EQUI-ED, Santa Rosa, CA
PATH Intl. EFP/EFL Recognition Award: Martha McNiel, Region 11, DreamPower Horsemanship, San Martin, CA
PATH Intl. Equine of the Year Award: Valentino, Region 5, Therapeutic Animal Partners, Columbia, TN
PATH Intl. Instructor of the Year: Trudy Chapman-Radley, Region 10, Horses with H.E.A.R.T., Inc., Chino Valley, AZ
PATH Intl. Volunteer of the Year: Jacob O’Brien, Region 4, Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center, Augusta, MI
PATH Intl. President's Award: Heather Hoff, former Vice President of the PATH Intl. Board of Trustees, Farnam, Phoenix, AZ
The Equine of the Year Award was sponsored by the American Quarter Horse Association and the instructor awards were sponsored by Purina.
For more information on these winners as well as all the region winners, visit:
http://www.pathintl.org/path-intl-conferences/national/awards/2011-award-winners
About PATH Intl.:
Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.), formerly NARHA, was formed in 1969 to promote equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs. At more than 800 member centers, a total of 42,000 children and adults find a sense of independence through involvement with horses. These member centers range from small, one-person programs to large operations with several certified instructors and licensed therapists.
In addition to therapeutic equitation, a center may offer any number of equine-assisted activities including hippotherapy, equine-facilitated mental health, driving, interactive vaulting, trail riding, competition, ground work or stable management.
Through a wide variety of educational resources, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs. There are more than 24,000 volunteers, 2,000 instructors, 5,700 therapy horses and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH Intl. centers.