The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) is proud to announce that the EQUUS Foundation will sponsor the 2012 James Brady Professional Achievement Award at the 2012 PATH Intl. Awards Banquet. The awards banquet is the highlight of the annual PATH Intl. Conference, and the James Brady award is the much anticipated gem—and closely guarded secret of the night.
Benefits of therapeutic horseback riding
The James Brady Professional Achievement Award recognizes contributions to the field of equine-assisted activities and therapies.
The James Brady Professional Achievement Award recognizes the contributions made to the field of equine-assisted activities and therapies and is presented annually in the name of James Brady 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.
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 James Brady Professional Achievement Award is given to a person who has made tremendous contributions to the equine-assisted activities and therapies field and has promoted the industry in outstanding ways,” said PATH Intl. CEO Kay Marsh Green. “It is only fitting then that EQUUS Foundation, itself a leader in promoting the power of equines to teach and heal, sponsor this highly coveted and prestigious award. We are thrilled to have their name linked with our award."
Some former James Brady winners include Isabella (Boo) Martin (2009), who co-founded the Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association to specifically address the mental component in the EAAT industry; Molly Sweeney (2010), whose leadership of the Horses and Humans Research Foundation pushes forward much-needed scientific research in the field; and Mary Jo Beckman (2011), who co-founded the Caisson Platoon program to provide therapeutic riding lessons for wounded military receiving treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and whose work eventually led to the PATH Intl. Equine Services for Heroes (formerly NARHA Horses for Heroes) initiative.
About PATH Intl.
PATH Intl., formerly NARHA, was formed in 1969 to promote EAAT for individuals with special needs. Throughout the world, hundreds of thousands of individuals with and without special needs experience the rewarding benefits of EAAT. A physical, cognitive or emotional special need does not limit a person from interacting with horses. In fact, such interactions can prove highly rewarding. With more than 3,700 certified instructors, 6,000 therapy horses, 43,000 volunteers and 800 member centers around the globe, almost 48,000 children and adults find a sense of strength and independence through involvement with horses.
About EQUUS Foundation
The EQUUS Foundation 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. The EQUUS Foundation is the primary organization in the equine community solely focused on both horse welfare and the horse-human connection. Since its small--and Connecticut-based--beginnings in 2003, the EQUUS Foundation has awarded nearly $2 million in grants to hundreds of charities.