2020. I have heard and seen many people using 2020 as an expletive, reflecting feelings and experiences they have lived through during the year. However, as I reflect on this past year, I realize how easy it becomes to let the challenging and difficult times overshadow the positive. How often in the past year did a fundraising event exceed its goal, a participant’s family--to allow for safe social distancing--stepped in so lessons could resume, you actually found toilet paper at the store or you found that connecting virtually, while not a substitute for in-person, was a connection that worked and that technology wasn’t an enemy? How often did you pause and celebrate these moments? As important as it is to build resilience, meet challenges and find a way forward, it is just as important to take the time to celebrate the wins. And it’s the best if you can celebrate together. For together, as we celebrate the wins, we build upon a sense of community and hope.
So, I am dedicating this CEO update to celebrating some wins with you. Centers across the country continue to be very creative and resourceful with virtual programming and safely delivering a reduced amount of in-person services. Participants continue to be effectively and safely served. Centers also transitioned their special events to virtual events, with the majority reporting exceeding their fundraising goal. Kudos and congratulations! For information on how, please click here to go to the PATH Intl. COVID-19 Resources page on our website.
We have consensus on optimal terminology! The two-year consensus building initiative on optimal terminology has culminated in a paper, Optimal Terminology For Services That Incorporate Horses To Benefit People: A Consensus Document published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. I am so very grateful for everyone who participated in this process, with special thanks to the working group of Dr. Wendy Wood, Lynn Thomas, Joann Benjamin, Michele Kane, Debbie Anderson, and Lissa Pohl and the funder, the Bob Woodruff Foundation. By working together and building consensus, we have taken a huge step forward in clarifying how we talk about this work, thereby reducing confusion for participants, researchers, funders and the public. Click here to read the full published paper. Click here for a summary. Click here for the video recording of the optimal terminology panel.
My final celebration is for all of the participants, volunteers, credentialed professionals and equines who were nominated or chosen for a PATH Intl. regional or national award. Just reading through the nominations makes me so joyful and proud to be a part of this community. We were not able to celebrate the winners at in-person events this year, so we are honoring them virtually this Friday, December 11th, 10:00 a.m. MT. It did my heart good as we went through a practice award ceremony. I can only imagine how good it’s going to feel on Friday. I want to share that joy and celebration with each of you. Click here to register. The virtual awards ceremony is free.
Those are just a few examples from your association. I’m sure each of you has your own successes to celebrate. With this update, I am rededicating myself to celebrating the wins. That doesn’t mean the challenges won’t remain a very real part of our lives. But celebrating the wins gives us an opportunity to feel good, have hope and share a connection that will sustain.
I wish you many wins and safe, happy and connected holidays!
All the best,
Kathy
