Colby's Army is located in Nashville and Ashland City that helps people with life challenges through outreach and interactions with animals and nature. (Photo: Submitted)
ASHLAND CITY, TN––Colby's Army, a 501c3 nonprofit based in Nashville and Ashland City, Tennessee, recently announced that a woman in their therapeutic riding program, Elizabeth (Liz) Mallard, has been named the PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) 2022 Adult Equestrian of the Year. Liz is formerly homeless, and today also celebrated her twenty-third consecutive month of sobriety.
PATH International was founded in 1969 to promote safe and effective therapeutic horseback riding. Today, PATH Intl. has 813 member centers and nearly 7,000 individual members in countries all over the world who help and support more than 53,300 men, women and children with special needs each year through a variety of equine-assisted services. Each year they choose one adult rider to honor. This year, it is Elizabeth Mallard.
“This is a huge international honor for both Liz Mallard and for us," said Lisa Wysocky, executive director of Colby’s Army. “When we met Liz, she had been homeless for more than a decade, and her liver was so damaged from years of alcohol abuse, it was unclear if she would survive. But her sunny smile, engaging personality, and immense determination to change her life had us hooked from the beginning. After she became housed nearly two years ago she started riding in our therapeutic riding program, which teaches both riding and life skills. She also began helping get horses ready for lessons, and caring for them several days a week. This, despite immense pain that led to a major surgery and a 27-day hospital stay. She has also helped at fundraisers and special events. While Liz will always have significant health challenges, because of the confidence she developed while riding, this bright, passionate, enthusiastic young woman is beginning an exciting new life. We cannot think of a more deserving person to receive this tremendous honor than Liz Mallard."
Since 2009, Colby's Army has helped people with life challenges through outreach, and interactions with animals and nature. Programs include therapeutic riding, equine assisted ground-based services, organic-style gardening, homeless outreach, and post-housing supportive services.
Mallard will be honored at a reception on Saturday, November 19 from 2:30-4:00 PM, with a special presentation at 3:00 PM. The event will take place at the David McCullough Community Room at 334 Frey Street, Ashland City, TN 37015.
