This coming weekend, November 8-10, PATH Intl. will hold its Annual Conference in Denver, CO. The keynote speaker at their Awards luncheon will be Jaycee Dugard, sponsored by Official PATH Intl. 50th Anniversary Sponsors Colorado State University and The Temple Grandin Equine Center. Jaycee will speak on Compassion, Self-care and the Power of Horses.
The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH International) was founded in 1969.
Since 1969, PATH Intl. has provided equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) programs throughout the world through its network of more than 800 member centers. Each year, dozens of new centers initiate new programs, and more than 54,000 individuals with special needs benefit from activities that include therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, equine-facilitated psychotherapy, equine-facilitated learning, driving, interactive vaulting, stable management, groundwork and competition.
Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, the PATH Intl. mission is to “change and enrich lives by promoting excellence in equine-assisted activities and therapies.” To accomplish this mission, PATH Intl. fosters safe, professional, ethical and therapeutic equine activities through education, communication, research and standards. The association ensures its standards are met through an accreditation process for centers and a certification process for instructors.
In November 2010, a section of PATH Intl., the Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association (EFMHA), founded in 1996, formally integrated with PATH Intl. to provide equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP) for people with psychological issues and mental health needs, including anxiety, depression and autism. EFP is facilitated by a licensed, credentialed mental health professional that works with an appropriately credentialed equine professional, or is dually credentialed as an equine professional.