We are excited to announce that Lauren Fitzgerald and Dr. Robert Baratt have been honored as Credentialed Professional of the Year and Veterinarian of the Year, respectively, by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH Intl.) Region 1.

PATH Intl. Is our accreditation body and sets the highest standards for organizations providing therapeutic horsemanship. Our region stretches across New England from Connecticut and Rhode Island to Vermont and up into the Atlantic Provinces, including Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Lauren joined High Hopes in 2007 with a BS in Equestrian Studies from Centenary with a concentration in instruction and training, and a BA in English from Fordham University. As well as being an Advanced Instructor, Carriage Driving Level 3 Instructor, Lauren finds time to Chair the Riding Certification Sub Committee of PATH Intl., is a faculty member, and a PATH Intl. Mentor. Lauren is our Equine Resource Manager, whose job it is to make sure that the match between participant and horse – the lynchpin of our work at High Hopes – is right. As if that is not enough Lauren is also a test-pilot! Every new horse that comes into High Hopes’ Program goes through a stringent and comprehensive trial period, executed by many of our staff, but managed overall by Lauren who always has the first ride or drive.

Dr. Robert M. Baratt, DVM, MS, FAVD, DAVDC, DAVDC/EQ, graduated from the Colorado State College of Veterinary Medicine in 1981 and founded Salem Valley Equine Clinic in 1983. It was shortly thereafter that he started to treat High Hopes’ herd as their primary clinician. Dr. Baratt went on to specialize in veterinary dentistry and was the first veterinarian to obtain Fellowship in the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry (FAVD) in both small animal and equine dentistry, in 2016. Despite being in high demand as a specialist in equine dentistry, Bob has continued to donate his time and his talent to our horses for any of their dental needs, for which we are very grateful. We consider ourselves incredibly lucky to have benefitted from his specialized training and empathetic approach to the mission of High Hopes.

Region 1 will be recognizing both of these fantastic professionals at their conference, which will take place on April 24-25, 2020, in Newport, NH. All are welcome to come and help us congratulate Lauren and Bob. Please contact Kitty for more information. KStalsburg@highhopestr.org

Sign up for our newsletter