Dr. Anita Shkedi, the British-born pioneer of therapeutic horse riding in Israel, is the recipient of the 2015 Chairman's Award of Excellence, in recognition of her dedicated service to the physically challenged.

She is an internationally acknowledged expert in the treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Anita has spent the past 30 years doing remarkable work with clients of all ages by means of riding for the disabled. She has produced life-changing results for individuals across Israel's social and religious spectrum, including many former soldiers with significant physical and mental injuries.

In 1988, Anita founded and developed the diploma course for Therapeutic Riding instruction in Israel, in conjunction with the Nat Holman School of Coaches at Netanya's Wingate Institute, and has subsequently trained many including two riding instructors from Jericho. In succeeding years, she established similar workshops and clinics in the UK, and various European and Scandinavian countries. She designed and authored the first school curriculum of Israel's Equine Studies for challenged learners.

In 1996, Anita served the first of eight years as a member of the International Paralympics Committee. She is also Director and Founder of the Israel National Therapeutic Riding Association.

Dr. Shkedi's published books and articles include: Traumatic Brain Injury and Therapeutic Riding, The Fear Factor (for the Scientific Journal of the Federation of Riding for the Disabled), A case study: The Role of Therapeutic Riding in Education, and Courage and Determination–The Need for Therapeutic Riding in Israel.

In 2009, in conjunction with joining the Therapeutic Riding Professional Committee of Israel, she wrote the new national Israeli Curriculum for Therapeutic Riding.

Since 1998, Anita has conducted clinics and lectures on her specialty throughout the world.