TRAV Annual Meeting and Educational Workshop

February 2, 2013 at Blue Ridge Community College.

“Therapeutic Horseback Riding for Veterans With Chronic and Severe PTSD”

Marsha Mills, PhD. is the Psychology Chief at the Martinsburg, West Virginia Veterans Administration(VA) Medical Center where she supervises all psychologists and is responsible for the delivery of evidenced-based therapy. She was the program director for post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) residential program for eight years. In the past several years, Dr. Mills has become involved in therapeutic horseback riding for veterans with chronic and severe PTSD. She is a member of PATH International and serves on their Equine Services for Heroes (previously Horses for Heroes) Committee.

CLICK HERE for presentation.

“Training in Equine Behavior for Therapeutic Riding Personnel”

Leslie Sinn, DVM-Behavior, is a professor at Northern Virginia Community College, Veterinary Technology Program. Dr. Sinn is a dedicated horse owner and enthusiast. She graduated from the University of Georgia with her veterinary degree in 1984. While continuing to teach at the Northern Virginia Community College Veterinary Technology Program, Dr. Sinn also maintains a private practice limited to veterinary behavior. She is currently fulfilling the requirements of a nonconforming training program in veterinary behavior medicine with the goal of achieving board certification by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.

CLICK HERE for presentation.

Horse Show

Caisson Platoon Equine Assisted Program
Partners with TRAV

11.13.12 – TRAV and CPEAP Forge Partnership

TRAV has found a new way to serve wounded warriors. Through a recently formed partnership with the Caisson Platoon Equine Assisted Program (CPEAP), individuals will be able to support wounded warriors by making a tax-deductible donation to TRAV and specify that the donation go to CPEAP.

CPEAP was co-founded in 2006 by TRAV life member Mary Jo Beckman and Larry Pence. CPEAP uses horses to rehabilitate and provide skills training for wounded warriors from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital.

The focus of the lessons is to teach balance, core strength and coordination by riding a horse. Lessons are tailored for each individual based on their level of physical and cognitive strength. Lessons also teach emotional strength.

During the course of a program, which varies from a few sessions to over two years, the rider forms a bond with the horse, which helps to restore his or her sense of confidence.

Currently CPEAP conducts lessons at Fort Belvoir and at Rock Creek Park Horse Center in Washington, D.C. CPEAP is honored to partner with TRAV to foster the concepts of therapeutic horseback riding for people with disabilities and to make equine-assisted activities available to all veterans and wounded warriors at no cost to the individual.

TRAV is delighted to be part of this opportunity to give back to our dedicated military personnel.

Fall 2012 Issue of TRAVler Newsletter

Click here to download.

TRAV Annual Horse Show - October 6 and 7, 2012

2012 TRAV Horse Show Packets

TRAV Summer 2012 Newsletter

CLICK HERE to read and download our newsletter.

Region 3 PATH Conference in Williamsburg, VA Pictures

March 23, 2012

Pictures from the 20th Annual TRAV Horse Show

October 8, 2011

TRAV Annual Meeting and Workshop

February 5, 2011
The farm of Jenny Spain in Catlett, VA.

Supporting the industry. Educating the community.

The Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia, Inc. (TRAV) is a non-profit organization formed to foster equine-assisted activities by offering educational and networking opportunities to operating centers and to raise public awareness of the benefits of these activities to individuals with disabilities.