Equest is proud to announce that two members of the Equest family, Joan Cutler and Terry Wilk, received national honors at the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) Conference in Denver, CO. Equest, an award-winning non-profit that provides equine assisted activities and therapies to children and adults with disabilities, was the first PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center in Texas and remains one of the largest in the country.
Joan Cutler, Equest operations coordinator, received the PATH Intl. Certified Professional of the Year for her hard work, compassion and devotion to the life-changing work done at Equest each day. Terry Wilk, a loyal Equest volunteer, received the PATH Intl. Volunteer of the Year for her contributions that have helped enhance the ability of Equest to provide equine assisted activities and therapies.
The PATH Intl. award honorees were recognized on November 9, 2019 during the conference’s annual awards luncheon. The luncheon celebrates the people and equines who exemplify the best of the wonderful population of equestrians, certified professionals, veterinarians, volunteers and equines who partner together to change the lives of people who live with physical, mental, emotional and learning challenges. Each of the 11 PATH Intl. regions had the opportunity to nominate individuals and equines. There are nearly 62,000 volunteers, 4,776 instructors, 7,943 equines and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH Intl. Member Centers.
To see a complete list of all the winners, international and regional, visit https://www.pathintl.org/path-intl-conferences/international/awards/1817-2019-path-intl-award-winners1
The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International(r) (PATH Intl(r).) was formed in 1969 to promote safety and optimal outcomes in equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) for individuals with special needs. At 873 member centers, nearly 69,000 children and adults, including more than 6,700 veterans, may find improved health, wellness, fun and a sense of pride and independence through involvement with horses. Therapeutic horsemanship at member centers may include hippotherapy, equine-facilitated mental health, driving, interactive vaulting, trail riding, competition, ground work and stable management. Through a wide variety of educational resources, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful EAAT programs.
Founded in 1981, Equest provides equine assisted learning, therapies and counseling to children and adults with physical, cognitive, sensory, coping and learning disabilities and veterans with adjustment challenges. The services provided include physical and occupational therapy, equine facilitated counseling and equine assisted learning, therapeutic carriage driving, therapeutic horsemanship and competition. With the help of 30 therapy horses, eight instructors, four therapists, three counselors, and 700 volunteers, lives are changed for more than 2,000 served annually. Equest was the first PATH International Premier Accredited Center in Texas and remains one of the largest in the country. Equest offers an engaging volunteer program that provides 30,000 hours of direct program service opportunities each year.