The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) is pleased to announce that it has received a $176,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for direct service and training for veterans and disabled service members to receive equine-assisted activities.
Horse-related activities for veterans
Therapeutic horsemanship at member centers may include hippotherapy, equine-facilitated mental health, driving, interactive vaulting, trail riding, competition, ground work and stable management.
This grant is part of a total $8 million that was awarded to national governing bodies for adaptive sports. Other grantees include regional and community programs serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. PATH Intl. was one of 89 awardees.
âWe are pleased that our award was increased from last yearâs amount,â said Sam Albrecht, PATH Intl. Director of Membership and Programs. âWe had direct service and training requests that greatly exceeded our available funding last year. This yearâs award will allow us to grow the program and serve more disabled veterans and disabled service members.â
With last yearâs grant of $100,000, PATH Intl. trained more than 30 individuals in a three-day intensive workshop on the military and veteran culture, safety and how centers can best partner with equines in a therapeutic horsemanship program for veterans.
More than 100 veterans were directly benefited with therapeutic horsemanship sessions. Equipping PATH Intl. Centers with saddles, lifts and ramps provided indirect benefit to another approximate 100 veterans.
Information on the VA Adaptive Sports Grant can be found at www.va.gov/adaptivesports. Information on PATH International Equine Services for Heroes® can be found at www.pathintl.org/resources-education/path-intl-equine-services-for-heroes.
About Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship:
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 866 member centers, more than 61,000 children and adults may find improved health, wellness, fun 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 more than 55,000 volunteers, 4,666 instructors, 7,672 equines and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH Intl. Member Centers.