Contacts:Region Rep and State Chairs
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 Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International
Title Sponsor: Purina, the official feed of PATH Intl.
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Hair, hair, everywhere! In the equine world that can only mean one thing. Spring! Our region has weathered an incredibly hard winter this year, but with the arrival of robins and the shedding of huge amounts of horse hair, we have a new and exciting season to look forward to!
Welcome New PATH Intl. Center
Please join me in welcoming
Russell's Ranch in Buckley, Washington to our PATH Int'l Region 9 family!
Another congratulations to
Bright Horizons in Siletz, Oregon for achieving their Premier Accreditation Center status!
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June 2-4, Running W Ranch, Rathdrum, Idaho
Registration is now open for the PATH Int'l. Region 9 Conference. You should have received an email from our wonderful web master, Cher, and you can also find the link to register on our Region 9 page on the PATH Intl. website. Our Conference Planning Team is very excited about this year's conference - we have a wealth of talented professionals offering classes, fun opportunities for networking and relaxing in a beautiful setting at the Running W Ranch. Begin the exciting weekend with a Mexican Fiesta on Friday night, with a welcome and update on the PATH Intl. Trek to Accreditation by PATH Intl. CEO Kathy Alm, and Round Table topics on subjects to appeal to every attendee, facilitated by PATH Intl. professionals. A great way to have your voice heard, as all of the results will be sent back to the PATH Intl. office for consideration. Saturday is jam packed with classes and is followed by a barbeque dinner and entertainment from our Keynote speaker, Lacey Heward - Paralympic medalist, equestrian, speaker, songwriter, and survivor. Many of you will remember the outstanding presentation that Lacey gave last year in Ellensburg. Lacey blends the stories of her many life experiences with original music for a dynamic presentation that you won't want to miss. Our Conference Team has worked very hard to keep this conference affordable for our members at $100 Early Bird registration for the entire conference. We're looking forward to seeing you there!
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| Silent Auction Items Needed! |
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Our Region Leadership Team is committed to keeping our conference costs as low as we can, but we need your help to do this. Please consider donating an item to our Silent Auction at the Region 9 Conference. There are always great items to purchase and good deals to find! You can contact us ahead of time, or simply bring something with you. Thank you in advance.
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| Conference Scholarships |
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Region 9 is again offering five $100 scholarships to cover the registration for our regional conference. You must be a full time resident of Region 9, and a first time attendee to the Region 9 Conference to apply. Applications are due April 15th, 2017, and can be found here, or by contacting Polly Cohen.
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Press Release Resources for PATH Intl. Centers
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In ongoing efforts to help center staff and volunteers communicate the importance of their affiliation with PATH Intl., our talented marketing director, Kaye Marks, has designed new center press release templates for centers to publicize their affiliation with PATH Intl. to local media. Association staff is contacted nearly daily by organizations and individuals stating their reason for contacting PATH Intl. is that the PATH Intl. brand is synonymous with safety and efficacy in the community and that the center is compliant with standards of safety, best practices and humane treatment of the equines in the center's care. It is a key factor that distinguishes PATH Intl. Centers and Professionals from others in the growing EAAT industry. These resources can be a wonderful addition to your social media toolbox!
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| Field Test Standards Electronic Voting |
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Again this year, field test standards will be voted on electronically rather than at the PATH Intl. Conference and Annual Meeting. These standards have been in field test since January 2016. Please watch your PATH Intl. eNews sent out by Cher Smith for more details. We will hold a PATH Intl. Standards Hearing at our Region 9 Conference and you will have a chance to ask questions and submit your comments before the vote. Members unable to vote electronically will be given options in the near future.
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Nominations for PATH Intl. Awards
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Now is the time to nominate your favorite equine, that indispensable volunteer, the talented and caring professional from your program, inspirational rider, or veterinarian who lovingly cares for your herd, for the PATH Intl. Awards.
It is now easier than ever to nominate - simply fill out the online form and your response is automatically submitted. Nominations are due May 15th, so you have plenty of time. Just remembering the huge response we received on our Region 9 face book page in February asking people to post pictures of their favorite horses let me know that we have some incredible equines out there who deserve to be recognized, not to mention our volunteers without whom we would have no program! Likewise our dedicated instructors and veterinarians who keep our horses sound.
Besides being an honor for the nominees, as well as letting them know that they are appreciated, it can be a great way to advertise your center by publishing it in local newspapers. Even if your nominee doesn't win, they will feel special just knowing that they have been recognized by their peers. It is an important honor, worth the small amount of time it takes to write up the nomination. Trust me.
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PATH Intl. Staff Spotlight - Bret Maceyak
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 Named after the heroine in Ernest Hemmingway's The Sun Also Rises, Lady Bret Ashley, our Staff Spotlight this quarter is on Bret Colleen Maceyak! Bret was born and raised in the Animas Valley north of Durango, Colorado on the expansive property of a private boarding High School co-founded by her father. Bret's parents and the free-range mountain ranching roots of La Plata County instilled in her a great passion for the outdoors and, of course, for horses. At age 14, after observing a therapeutic riding lesson for teenage riders with Down syndrome, Bret knew that she wanted her personal and professional life to revolve around therapeutic riding. She became certified as a PATH Int'l. Registered Instructor in March of 2010.
Bret was initially hired by PATH Intl. as the receptionist in September of 2014 and was quickly promoted to Certification Coordinator the following month. In this position, Bret's primary goal is the raise the professionalism of all PATH Intl. certification programs and certified professionals so that EAAT becomes recognized and well regarded among medical professionals and insurance providers. She is very excited about PATH Intl.'s pursuit of accreditation through NCCA as she believes it will provide PATH credentials the distinction needed to be respected in the research, medical and insurance sectors. It is a personal goal of Bret's to see that the EAAT becomes reimbursable by all insurance. One of the memorable times in Bret's life came from a random act of kindness. An Australian acquaintance arranged for her to take a three week trip to Australia in the Spring of 2014. She spent one week in Melbourne at the Formula 1 season opening race, followed by one week backpacking the Freycinet Peninsula of Tasmania, and her final week at Bondi Beach in Sydney. This trip to Australia changed Bret's life in so many ways and spurred intense self-reflection that further solidified her passion for EAAT!
Thank you Bret for all you do for PATH Intl. and for Region 9 as the Certification Coordinator!
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Alaska News - Carrie Drury, Alaska Chair
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  Equine Assisted Therapy Alaska The new EATA-MABRY EQUIDOME has opened in Anchorage at the Willim Clark Chamberlin Equestrian Center! The ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration offered great fun for all, with games for the kids, raffles for great prizes, and live music with dancing! The event honored EATA's founder, our very own Region 9 Representative, Annie Mabry! Annie and her family were instrumental in creating the vision and driving the mission behind The Rainbow Connection, Alaska's first Therapeutic Riding Center, now known as Equine Assisted Therapy Alaska. (EATA). So many people in the community carried the torch at times to make this dream come true. And now thanks to everyone's hard work, and a generous grant from the Reitman Foundation and help from the Anchorage Park Foundation, EATA will be able to offer their programs year round!
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British Columbia and Alberta News - Karen Tanchak, State/Provincial Chair
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With a mission and passion to advocate for PATH Intl. and the industry, Karen works hard year round to broaden the field of EAAT in Canada, and promote the benefits of PATH Intl. She reports that the BC Therapeutic Riding Assoc. was formed to help para-riders fund their way to the BC Summer Games. They were considering closing the charity down until some wonderful women left them a huge estate gift in 2015. Karen is involved and helping to encourage growth and support for the up and coming professionals. Karen firmly believes that their population needs the well trained, knowledgeable and passionate individuals to work with them, and is always available to help people wishing to pursue certification as a PATH Intl. professional.
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Idaho News - Lindsey Jameson, Idaho Chair
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Ride for Joy
Staff, students and horses at RFJ have enjoyed the start of the 2017 year at the barn. Though the first few weeks required rides indoors due to the weather. Mother Nature changed her tune quickly bringing in the wonderful feelings and smells of Spring.
The horses seemed excited to get back to work, moving through lessons with bright eyes and smart steps. Staff have regained the routine of lessons and scheduling, with the smiles of students reminding each what a wonderful job RFJ provides. Students have also worked hard to return to their previous level of riding, many commenting on the differences felt after many months away. Two new students were added to the schedule and seem to be enjoying their new adventures.
Ride for Joy was privileged to have Jillian Garrigues from Channel 6 News feature the program in "Idaho Gems". The story was an excellent depiction of lessons at RFJ and also advertised the 2nd annual Ride for Joy Gala, which was held at The Water's Edge Event Center in Eagle. The event provided a fun, Irish themed evening with food, dancing and fund raising for the 2017 year.
The Treasure Valley Model A Club visited the barn in a truly unique event. 33 Model A's made the trip down the dirt lane for drivers to learn about Ride for Joy. Club members were engaged in questions and heard from Diana, a longtime volunteer, what it's like to spend time in the program.
RFJ is thankful to all of the donors, volunteers and students who continue to support the program and have had a part in opening the barn doors in 2017!
Rising Stars
Spring is here and Rising Stars is ready to get started! This year due to popular demand by some of our die-hard participants we will be trying out a 1 day per week "Spring Session" during April and May. This has been a long time coming for us and we are hoping that the spring weather cooperates! Spring session will include about 15-20 participants and this will man that during the 2016/2017 Rising Stars participants will have had the option to ride 7.5 months out of the year! Along with our Spring session we will be conducting our volunteer trainings and getting ready for a very busy summer. We are still working toward acquiring our own facility and have big dreams of great new ways that we can serve our community. Rising Stars is also proud to welcome one of our volunteers back as a Registered Level PATH Intl. Instructor. Susan Jesser was certified in September and will be joining our instructor team this year. This makes 6 instructors helping us part time! Rising Stars Founder and Director, Marni Porath is constantly humbled by the wonderful people they have working in their program, not because it's big money and fame, but because they truly love and believe in the results.
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Montana News - Maggee Harrison, Montana Chair
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A great article was published in the Great Falls Tribune titled, "Solace in the Saddle for Those Recovering from Addiction."
The Rocky Mountain Treatment Center in Great Falls, an inpatient rehabilitation facility developed a collaboration with Eagle Mount Great Falls, which has operated its therapeutic horsemanship programs for people with disabilities for years.
"We have the two community resource groups helping people" said Eagle Mount's operations coordinator, Heather Martin. "It only makes sense to come together."
The collaboration also brought instructors from both programs together to lead the classes. Two of the instructors are PATH Intl. certified. One of the many qotes in the article that brings it on home, "Horse don't care if you've been to jail 15 times. Horses care about your insides matching your outside."
The instructors help clients build confidence and other skills, such as communication, cooperation and positive assertion through exercises in and out of the saddle. The clients are engaged from the moment they walk in the barn door. They do chores, caring for the horses and preparing them to be ridden. They brush the horses down after the lesson is over. They start riding bareback, and then use a saddle. They learn the similarities between horses and humans - how both have character assets and flaws. More than 50 Rocky Mountain Treatment Center clients have completed equine therapy classes under this new collaboration.
Annie's comments:
Thank you, Eagle Mount Great Falls, for promoting PATH Intl. in this great article. I didn't repeat the entire article, but it emphasizes how PATH Intl. regulates its programs and facilities and maintains strict safety standards for horses and riders.
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Oregon News - Polly Cohen, Oregon Chair
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Bright Horizons Therapeutic Riding Center
Bright Horizons, located in Siletz, OR, has been growing over the past year. In 2016 we added two new programs: Interactive Vaulting and Equine Facilited Psychotherapy, as options for current participants and to expand services to more people that can benefit from additional EAAT's. In February 2017 Bright Horizons became a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center. Our next endeavor is to begin offering Therapeutic Riding, EAL, and EFP services specifically to Veterans in the Lincoln County Oregon area.
Annie's comment:
Congratulations, again, Bright Horizons for achieving PAC status!
HOPE Equestrian Center
HOPE Equestrian Center is a non-profit therapeutic horseback riding program in Eagle Point, Oregon. They offer the therapeutic benefit of horseback riding to kids and adults with special needs and disabilities, at risk youth and wounded veterans. They also offer educational horse camps for underprivileged kids in partnership with one of their charter schools. HOPE sees between 60 to 75 riders per week on average depending on the season, and including their education camps, run for 49 weeks a year. They are able to offer their services largely due to donations, grants and fundraisers. They just held their annual Denim and Diamonds Benefit Dinner and Auction, which is held in March each year. This year they raised a record $55,000 in proceeds!
Forward Stride
Forward Stride has exciting news to share! Their current landlords have graciously extended their lease through August of this year. This allows them to have a full Spring Term through June and a six week Summer Term at their Horse Tail Dr. location.
The extension also provides their construction process more time to recover from the extensive rain and flooding. At this time they are planning on moving the organization over the last two weeks of August and restarting programming mid-September, 2017, at their Feves Family Farm location.
All of their programs continue to see good growth and all are waitlisted. Their current location has definitely reached capacity. This is a good problem to have and the new facility will help by allowing Forward Stride to serve more of the community.
Forward Stride is ready for their Raising the Barn Bash on April 8th. They are revamping the event to include additional activities like their western ping-pong shooting gallery, a staff line dance performance, and more.
Annie's comment: I can't wait to see pictures in our next Quarterly Newsletter!
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Washington News - Teresa Bron, Washington Chair
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Gretchen driving with ME Walen (participant) and Teresa Bron (instructor)
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Happy Spring from Pegasus Project in sunny Yakima! After a long and snowy winter we are delighted to see the sun here at the center and have dry paddocks once again. Our riders are excited
to be able to go outside during lessons and enjoy all that nature has to offer. We are pleased to announce that we have fulfilled one of our goals to have arena mirrors installed in our indoor arena. Our riders will be able to get instant feedback on posture and alignment. Thankfully our donors continue to be generous and supportive of our program and our participants.
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| Durk in ground driving lesson with Phillip Johnson (participant), Teresa Bron (Instructor) and Karen Koday (Volunteer) |
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Our carriage driving program is well into its second year and we currently have two care leased Friesians (Durk and Gretchen) as well as one mini (VSE), Peaches, that we are using for driving lessons. Both of our Friesians will be participating in the regional conference carriage driving demonstration the first weekend in June in Rathdrum, Idaho. We hope to see you there!
Currently we are searching for a large draft to help with our wheelchair accessible carriage and to grow our driving program. Any leads on one that has the appropriate qualifications would be greatly appreciated. The driving participants love the program and we are looking to the future!
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Jesse Sheerwood with Peaches
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Jesse Sheerwood has joined our staff this past winter as barn coordinator. He has worked all over the United States at Thoroughbred race tracks in many capacities, so he brings a wealth of knowledge to our program to help with horse health and maintenance. Originally from Selah, WA. Jesse is familiar with the Yakima Valley and has friends and family here. We hope Jesse will enjoy working with us, we are lucky to have someone with his horsemanship skills in our program!
Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center
Little Bit TRC is excited to announce new group Social Skills classes for kids ages 5-9 who have challenges getting along with peers. Classes will be conducted by an Occupational Therapist and will utilize a variety of approaches, including aspects of The Alert Program, The Social Thinking Curriculum, Collaborative Problem Solving and Kelso's Choices.
The classes will include: An active approach in the novel setting of an enclosed, covered horse arena Physical challenges, including vaulting Role playing to learn specific skills for problem solving A positive atmosphere, teaching participants to look for the positive and care for one another. One horse shared among the group. Participants will have some mounted time on the back of the horse, but riding skills are not the focus. The group will be led by an occupational therapist and involve a professional horse handler and specially-trained volunteers.
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I think this is going to be a very busy Spring for Region 9!! Have you gotten any ideas yet for your own programs from these amazing reports from some of our PATH Intl. centers? Thank you to all who sent in information for us to share with our members.
I look forward to seeing familiar faces at our Region 9 Conference, and meeting new friends. Please contact me or your State Chair with any questions.
Wishing everyone a beautiful Spring. What I am going to take away from this newsletter (besides the pride I feel being associated with all of the wonderful people in our region involved in EAAT) is the Best. Quote. Ever. From Eagle Mount Great Falls: "Horses care about your insides matching your outside."
Now I'm going to the barn to grab my shedding blade and help my horses lose some more of that winter hair!
With Warmest Regards,
Annie Mabry
PATH Intl. Region 9 Rep
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Please direct correspondence about this newsletter to PATH Intl. eNews coordinator. No portion of this publication may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, scanned or electronic process without written permission from PATH Intl. PATH Intl. reserves the right to reject, accept and edit submitted material. The PATH Intl. Region Newsletters are intended as an information exchange and an opportunity for communication for members in the field of equine-assisted activities and therapies. The opinions, practices or products presented in PATH Intl. eNews do not necessarily reflect PATH Intl. policy, imply PATH Intl. endorsement, or comply with PATH Intl. standards. Events listed are for information purposes and do not necessarily reflect PATH Intl. policy, imply endorsement or comply with PATH Intl. Standards. They may or may not be eligible for PATH Intl. continuing education units on instructor compliance forms. For questions regarding CEUs, contact Bret Maceyak at the PATH Intl. office. If you prefer not to hear from us, just click on the "safe unsubscribe" below and we will remove you from our mailing list. Removing your email address from the PATH Intl. member database will prevent you from receiving all email correspondence including event notices and other time-sensitive correspondence.
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