Marny Mansfield, MS, MS, OTR/L, is a PATH Intl. Master Certified Instructor, CTRI, ESMHL, PATH International Registered Therapist, Mentor, Certification Faculty/ Evaluator, and Special Olympics coach. She has served on the PATH Intl. Riding Certification and Certification Oversight Committees and has been Vermont state chair two times. She received the PATH Intl. Professional of the Year nationally and for Region 2 in 2014. She is currently an Associate Professor for the Bachelors of Technology in Therapeutic Horsemanship (approximately 30-32 majors and 10 minors) and Program Director of the community-based program at the State University of New York (SUNY ) Cobleskill. She currently owns and partners with her three Norwegian Fjords and seven other hardworking partners at SUNY Cobleskill. She has provided therapy, recreationally-based lessons, instructor and therapist education, mentorship, and practiced in the field of equine-assisted services for over 25 years. She has worked at programs both large and small and is a lifelong horsewoman. She completed the Masters in Public Policy at Tufts University Veterinary School (now Cummings Veterinary School) and her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University. She spends her free time on the ski mountain, riding, rowing, enjoying the outdoors, playing with family, friends, and pets, and travelling.
Research drives best practices and is important to drive the education of future professionals and to continue to expand the body of knowledge for the sustainability of the Equine-assisted services field.