This June PATH Intl. launches its online training of the research-based curriculum, EAP-PTSD for Veterans. PATH Intl. was awarded funding by the Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) to support the development of an online training to utilize the research-based curriculum developed through the Man O’War (MOW) Project at Columbia University. This curriculum is for mental health providers and equine specialist teams to work with veterans with post-traumatic stress symptoms (EAP-PTSD).
 
Thanks to the generosity of the Bob Woodruff Foundation and their strong desire to make this training available to PATH Intl. members, 60 pairs of a licensed mental health professional and an equine specialist will receive underwriting of all but $100/team for taking the curriculum. One member of the team must be a PATH Intl. member to apply for the scholarship.

Application criteria
  • Training must be taken by a team of one licensed mental health professional and one trained equine specialist
  • One team member must be a PATH Intl. Member

To apply for the scholarship please complete the form at the following link. Complete submissions will be chosen on a first-come, first served basis. After 60 scholarships have been awarded, the curriculum will be made available to PATH Intl. members and nonmembers at the following rates.

Curriculum pricing per team
Member discount price: $399 (One of the team must be a PATH Intl. member)
Standard price: $499

Learning objectives
  1. After completion of this course, the treatment team will be able to:
  2. Demonstrate knowledge on EAP-PTSD curriculum and its development.
  3. Facilitate all eight sessions of EAP-PTSD treatment.
  4. Indicate appropriate equine selection for participation in EAP-PTSD.
  5. Employ treatment guidelines for EAP-PTSD.
  6. Demonstrate the benefits of group experiential therapy and how it differs from traditional alternatives.
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of veteran culture.

The curriculum includes:
  • Five hours of video training
  • Comprehensive manual produced by Columbia University and the Man O’ War Project
  • Access to the PATH Intl. Member Connection community for EAP-PTSD providers
  • Five PATH Intl. CEUs for each team member
  • Certificate of completion

Required to conduct treatment:
  • Round pen or small arena
  • 2-3 suitable horses
  • Licensed mental health professional
  • Equine specialist holding a certificate from PATH Intl., Eagala or CHA

Recommended to conduct treatment:
  • Licensed mental health professional with experience conducting group therapy
  • Licensed mental health professional and equine specialist with experience working with veterans
More on the project
PATH Intl. was granted funding to help develop, implement and evaluate the training program for delivery of a first of its kind, evidence-based equine-assisted group treatment for veterans with significant PTSD symptoms. The overarching goal is to disseminate the EAP-PTSD program to the larger field of mental health professionals and equine specialist teams thereby significantly increasing the availability of the only existing research-based EAP curriculum and treatment for veterans with PTSD.

The EAP-PTSD program was developed by Drs. Prudence Fisher and Yuval Neria, co-directors of the Man O’ War Project at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. The Man O’ War team, prepared a well-specified manual, the first of its kind in the field of mental health services incorporating equines, which they then tested in an open trial of veterans with PTSD, demonstrating a measurable reduction of PTSD and depressive symptoms (Hillburn et al., 2017, Fisher et al., 2018). 

MOW and PATH Intl. partnered on this project, each bringing their expertise to make this curriculum and training effective and ultimately available to EAP providers all over the country. This in turn will provide access to this proven treatment to hundreds of veterans with PTSD and other trauma and stressor-related symptoms. The PATH Intl.–MOW partnership is a perfect match of verified curriculum, subject matter experts, training experience and a network of experienced EAP providers. Together, they used their vision and experience to successfully create, implement, evaluate and disseminate a training program to deliver EAP-PTSD.

Questions? Danielle Seybert, dseybert@pathintl.org
Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International
1 (800) 369-RIDE |www.pathintl.org