Major George W. Paffendorf, U.S. Army, Retired has more than 23 years of military
service. After the Army he worked with at-risk youth for the State of New Jersey and
retired as the State Director for Youth Programs and Special Initiatives.
A lifelong
horseman, he is a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI), Carriage
Driving Instructor, Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) and
Mentor. George has served as the Chair of the PATH Intl. Driving Subcommittee and
as a member of the PATH Intl. Oversight Committee.
He is currently the PATH Intl.
Region 2 Representative. George has completed the PATH Intl. Advanced Veterans
Training and is certified through the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association
(EAGALA) as an Equine Specialist for Equine Facilitated Mental Health and Learning
(EFMHL). He is certified by Irwin Insights in Equine Assisted Personal Development
(EAPD) (Now Moral Compass), was certified as a Special Olympics Equestrian Coach
and is a licensed New York City Carriage Driver.
In addition, George served many
years with Therapeutic Riding at Centenary (TRAC) and was the Founder and Director
of Operation Centaur, Centenary University's program for Veterans. Recognized for
his selfless service he was selected for Knighthood in the Order of Saint George and
has been awarded Centenary University's highest honor, The Gold Dome Award.
George is the Executive Director of Centenary University's Veteran Ventures Program
(VVP).
George has an MS in Social Science and an Honorary Doctorate. He is a 2024 recipient of the Veterans Resiliency Award and is currently the Vice President of Veterans Resiliency Coalition Incorporated.
