The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International is proud to announce the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) has granted accreditation to the PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor certification, a first-of-its-kind designation in the equine-assisted services and equine industries.
PATH Intl. leads the advancement of professional equine-assisted services (EAS) by supporting its members and stakeholders through rigorously developed standards, credentialing and education. For over 50 years, PATH Intl. has worked to promote safety and optimal outcomes for individuals seeking to change and enrich their lives through partnering with equines. The EAS industry is vast and comprises many different opportunities from therapeutic riding and driving, to physical and mental health therapies incorporating horses, to learning activities with equines, and more. By accrediting the PATH Intl. CTRI®, the association’s goal is to demonstrate the recognized credibility and legitimacy of this certification and elevate the EAS industry.
The PATH Intl. CTRI® received NCCA accreditation by submitting an application at the end of a ten-year journey of program modifications and enhancements to demonstrate the program’s compliance with the NCCA’s Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. NCCA is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (formerly the National Organization for Competency Assurance). To date, NCCA has accredited 315 programs from 130 organizations certifying individuals in a wide range of professions and occupations including nurses, respiratory therapists, counselors, emergency technicians and more.
PATH Intl. has now joined that exclusive list of organizations to achieve accreditation, bolstering its reputation as a professional certification organization acting in the public interest by establishing and providing education, examination, experience and ethics requirements for certification. Currently, 4,502 PATH Intl. CTRI® certification holders are certified to use the designation.
To learn more about the PATH Intl. CTRI® please visit pathintl.org/certification/ctri/. To learn more about PATH Intl. please visit pathintl.org.
About PATH Intl.: The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International® (PATH Intl.®) was formed in 1969 to promote safety and optimal outcomes in equine-assisted services (EAS) for individuals with special needs and others. At 813 member centers, more than 53,339 children and adults, including 5,900 veterans, may find improved health, wellness and a sense of pride, independence and fun through involvement with horses. Member centers offer therapeutic horsemanship including riding, driving, interactive vaulting, trail riding, competition, groundwork and stable management; physical, occupational therapies; speech language pathology and mental health services incorporating horses, coaching and learning programs among other services. Through a wide variety of educational resources, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful EAS programs. There are nearly 50,000 volunteers, 5,424 certified professionals, 76,781 equines and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH Intl. Member Centers achieve their health and wellness and learning goals.
Contact: Sara Conant, Communications & Marketing Coordinator, sconant@pathintl.org, (800) 369-7433 ext. 123