EQUUS News Release

EQUUS Foundation To Sponsor 2012 PATH Intl. James Brady Award

WESTPORT, CT - June 1, 2012 - The EQUUS Foundation is honored to announce that it will sponsor the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) James Brady Professional Achievement Award. The award will be presented at the 2012 PATH Intl. Awards Banquet, the highlight of the annual PATH Intl. Conference, which will be held October 31-November 3, 2012 in Bellevue, Washington.

"The James Brady Professional Achievement Award is given to a person who has made tremendous contributions to the equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) field and has promoted the industry in outstanding ways," said PATH Intl. CEO Kay Marsh Green. It is only fitting that the EQUUS Foundation, itself a leader in promoting the power of equines to teach and heal, sponsor this highly coveted and prestigious award. We are thrilled to have their name linked with our award."

"We are very thrilled to sponsor and present the Brady Award", said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President, "and to support the ever-growing group of professionals involved in equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) represented by PATH Intl."

2011 Brady Award Presentation
Mary Jo Beckman receives the 2011 PATH Intl. James Brady Award
from PATH Intl. outgoing President Kathy Alm (left) and CEO Kay Marsh Green (right).

About the James Brady Award

The James Brady Professional Achievement Award is the highest honor PATH Intl. bestows each year. This award recognizes the contributions made by an EAAT industry professional (occupational therapist, physical therapist, educator, psychologist, riding instructor, executive, program coordinator and others) to the field. Contributions have been, but are not limited to, areas such as research, publication, public relations and program development. The award recipient will be presented “The Helper,” a bronze sculpture of a horse, rider and sidewalker, at the PATH International Conference and Annual Meeting Awards Banquet.
For information about the James Brady Award, please visit http://www.pathintl.org/path-intl-conferences/national/awards.

Former James Brady winners include Isabella (Boo) Martin (2009), who co-founded the Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association to specifically address the mental component in the EAAT industry; Molly Sweeney (2010), whose leadership of the Horses and Humans Research Foundation pushes forward much-needed scientific research in the field; and Mary Jo Beckman (2011), who co-founded the Caisson Platoon program to provide therapeutic riding lessons for wounded military receiving treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and whose work eventually led to the PATH Intl. Equine Services for Heroes (formerly NARHA Horses for Heroes) initiative.

About The EQUUS Foundation

The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., established in August 2002, as a 501(c)(3) national charitable foundation, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses, fostering the use of horses to enrich the lives of those in need, and educating the public about the horse's unique ability to empower, teach and heal.

Thanks to the generosity of its donors, The EQUUS Foundation helps thousands of people and horses each year. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

Contact The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: mail@equusfoundation.org, Website: equusfoundation.org.

About PATH Intl.

PATH Intl., formerly NARHA, was formed in 1969 to promote EAAT for individuals with special needs. Throughout the world, hundreds of thousands of individuals with and without special needs experience the rewarding benefits of EAAT.

A physical, cognitive or emotional special need does not limit a person from interacting with horses. In fact, such interactions can prove highly rewarding. With more than 3,700 certified instructors, 6,000 therapy horses, 43,000 volunteers and 800 member centers around the globe, almost 48,000 children and adults find a sense of strength and independence through involvement with horses.

To learn more about PATH Intl. and how the power of the horse changes lives, please visit http://www.pathintl.org.