The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) is proud to announce that Gail Pace with Equest in Wylie, TX, is the recipient of the 2013 James Brady Professional Achievement Award, sponsored by the Equus Foundation.
Equine-assisted activities helping people
The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International is proud to announce that Gail Pace with Equest in Wylie, TX, is the recipient of the 2013 James Brady Professional Achievement Award.
© 2013 by Jo Anna Rissane
The annual award, presented in the name of former White House Press Secretary James Brady, recognizes the contributions made to the field of equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) and is presented to a professional who has made a contribution to the industry. Contributions have been in, but are not limited to, areas such as research, publication, public relations or program development.
Gail has the rare combination of incredible energy, boundless ambition and unmatched determination. Combine those qualities with the insight and knowledge to know that partnering horses with humans can produce amazing results, and you have an inspiring instructor..
Setting an excellent example, Gail achieved her Cheff Center certification in 1989, Special Olympic coaches’ certification in 1990, her PATH Intl. Master Instructor certification in 1997 and her Therapeutic Driving Instructor certification in 2003. In 2010, Gail finished her service on the Riding Instructor Certification Committee, where she was vital in developing the PATH Intl. Mentoring program. It was a very appealing project to Gail because she is a huge supporter of professional development.
Gail was one of the first PATH Intl. Accreditation Site Visitors and continues to do site visits 18 years later. She fully believes that the participants PATH Intl. serves deserve the most knowledgeable professionals working at the best facilities possible. Gail continues to study, observe and analyze the art and science of riding and driving so that she may provide inspiring lessons to her own students.
Gail is a Lead Evaluator for the On-Site Workshops and Certifications in both Riding and Driving, and a faculty member of a PATH Intl. Approved Instructor Training Course. She has mentored numerous instructor candidates and is always patient, insightful and wise. Her words of wisdom have traveled around the world with the international instructors she has mentored, including instructors from Columbia, Croatia, Belgium, France, Spain, Korea, Japan, Mexico, Canada, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Ireland.
She has been the primary instructor for three riders who have gone on to win in international competition. She coached riders in the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Paralympic Games. Out of 10 riders at the 2004 Paralympics Selection Trials, three were Gail’s protégés. That speaks volumes.
Another project close to her heart is PATH International Equine Services for Heroes. Her husband, Jonathan, was in the Army, serving in Vietnam when they were married, so she knows first-hand the support our servicemen and women need. Gail has founded two PATH International Equine Services for Heroes programs in Texas, one at Hannah’s Horseshoes of Hope and the other at Equest.
Deb Lewin, a participant at Equest, attests to Gail’s amazing abilities. “After I was broadsided by a vehicle in 1996, I have a brain injury and left side paralysis with impaired vision and hearing,” she said..” After 18 months of regular therapy, they told me I had reached maximum medical improvement and would never do anything by myself again.
Then I found Equest, and thanks to Gail Pace and the wonderful horses, I can totally prove them wrong! Her untiring commitment to lead me down the path to be the very best I can be is endless. I have been very successful at many national level equestrian events, and none of that would have been possible without Gail by my side.”
“Her legacy will continue to inspire," said Jen Donahue, a PATH Intl. Certified Advanced Instructor and driving level two instructor. "Whether she is performing lip sync trios at a party, guiding one of her hearing impaired students through a trail course for the first time, or creating a sassy routine for a drill, it is done with a zest for life to which I aspire.”
Walter Cronkite once said, “I can’t imagine a person becoming a success who doesn’t give this game of life everything he’s got.” Gail has given PATH Intl. everything she’s got for nearly 30 years and she is most deserving of the 2013 James Brady Professional Achievement Award.
The benefits of therapeutic riding gained national attention after James Brady, press secretary to then-President Ronald Reagan, was shot during an assassination attempt on the President's life. Paralyzed, Brady turned to hippotherapy to help him in the rehabilitation process, and now, 30 years later, Brady can walk and has regained almost all of his prior speech and cognitive function.
The PATH Intl. James Brady Professional Achievement Award is sponsored by the Equus Foundation, The EQUUS Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses, promoting the use of horses to enrich the lives of those in need, and educating the public about the horse's unique ability to empower, teach and heal.
For information on other 2013 PATH Intl. award recipients
About PATH Intl.:
Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) was formed in 1969 to promote equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs. At 850 member centers, more than 56,000 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 nearly 52,000 volunteers, 4,232 instructors, 7,503 equines and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH Intl. centers.