The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) is honored to announce its status as one of 69 grant awardees from the United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs to support disabled veterans in adaptive sports.
Helping veterans heal with horse activities
The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International is honored to announce its status as one of 69 grant awardees from the United States Department of Veteran's Affairs to support disabled veterans in adaptive sports.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald announced the award of approximately eight million dollars in grants to provide adaptive sports opportunities for an estimated 10,000 wounded veterans and service personnel of the Armed Forces. Over 170 applications requesting $42,000,000 were submitted.
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.
An application and guidelines for PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Centers will be available at the end of October. Centers may also request funds for equipment needed to better accommodate their veteran participants.
Veterans will also benefit through the veteran-focused training of PATH Intl. Certified Instructors via at least one face-to-face PATH International Equine Services for Heroes® Workshop (Date and location TBD) that will provide customized education for working with this honorable and distinguished population. Online curriculum for credentialed professionals will also be developed.
Sam Albrecht, PATH Intl. Director of Membership and Programs, a US Air Force Veteran from Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, says, “PATH Intl. is honored to be included in such a strong group of awardees.
"These funds will enable the association and its members to help veterans from all conflicts and branches of the military through their interaction with horses. We thank the Department of Veterans Affairs for their trust and the PATH International Equine Services for Heroes Committee for their support in helping us secure these funds.”
The Department of Veterans Affairs defines adaptive sports as those sports that have been created or modified for persons with disabilities.
PATH Intl. has a long tradition of offering the best in EAAT to military personnel and veterans. Thanks to this Department of Veterans Affairs grant, PATH Intl. Member Centers will continue to provide help and healing through the power of the horse.
To read the release from the Department of Veterans Affair, please click here. To see a list of all awardees, click here. To learn more about PATH International Equine Services for Heroes, click here. To request photos, contact Cher Smith, PATH Intl. Communications Coordinator, at (800) 369-7433, ext. 123, or email her at csmith@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.
Additional Story Opps
PATH International Equine Services for Heroes Participant testimonial
“The most overwhelming and enduring feeling I experienced was one of total acceptance. We [veterans] were not once judged by our disability. Neither the horses nor the staff gave even the slightest indication that our current issues diminished us in any way. For first time in the four years I have been out of the military and dealing with PTSD I felt unconditionally accepted. I finally belonged and felt I could begin healing within the safe embrace of the horses and staff.”
--Gretchen Moran (CW2 US Army, disabled Veteran 80%)
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.