When trying to choose the right place to participate in equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT), all of the options can be overwhelming. Here is a little bit of insight into the industry and why member centers and premier accredited centers of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl) will give you the most worthwhile experience.

PATH Intl. Centers

PATH Intl. is a national organization, founded in 1969, under which centers providing EAAT can become members and accredited centers. With this association comes a constant presence of quality assurance. To become a PATH Intl. member center, a manual of standards, set forth by PATH Intl., must be followed during all EAAT activities. These standards focus on the safety of participants and volunteers during lessons and in the facility, as well as guidelines for how the business should be handled. Because of these standards, PATH Intl. centers are held to a higher standard than other therapeutic riding centers may be. In addition to these standards, PATH Intl. provides resources on numerous special challenges that centers may address and gives useful information to help them best serve these individuals in the EAAT setting.

PATH Intl. Professionals

Services performed by PATH Intl. centers are completed by internationally certified individuals in that discipline. For example, therapeutic riding lessons are taught by individuals who have gone through an intensive training process and testing to become a PATH Intl. Certified Instructor. In addition to this initial training, continuing education hours are required each year to maintain certification. Because of this, instructors are continually educating themselves for the betterment of the clients they serve. To learn more about the certification process for PATH Intl. therapeutic riding instructors, read The Process of Becoming a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor.

PATH Intl. Continued Improvement

Going along with this education, PATH Intl. itself is also always researching and improving the standards and up-to-date resources that are provided to its centers. Without these standards that serve as the backbone of PATH Intl. centers, there would be no underlying guideline to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the programs being offered at that center. By participating with a PATH Intl. center, you can be sure that you will be working with a center that is safe, professional, and ready to serve to the best of its ability.