Starting A Center
Set your passions into action.
At PATH Intl. we hear daily from people just like you who have a love of horses and want to combine that love with helping people in their community. They, like you, are interested in starting an equine-assisted services center. PATH Intl.is a membership association dedicated to your success, offering half a century’s experience, a community of like-minded individuals, tools and resources to help you start and sustain a professionally run center.
The Value of Membership
The idea of starting an equine-assisted services program or opening a PATH Intl. center can seem overwhelming at first, and many questions immediately come to mind. How will I fund it? What makes a good employee or volunteer? Where do I advertise? Thankfully, PATH Intl. has many resources available to help answer these questions, including instructional publications, a mentor program and online forums.
Questions? Reach out to our membership team at or 303-452-1212.
Ready to learn more? Check Out How to Start an Equine-Assisted Services Center/Program.
- PATH Intl. provides industry standards in the areas of center administration, facility safety, equine welfare, activities and services.
- PATH Intl. Member Centers and Certified Professionals sign an annual statement of compliance that they follow and abide by PATH Intl. Standards.
- PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Centers are member centers that have voluntarily elected to have a site visit to ensure that they meet PATH Intl. Standards.
- Sessions at PATH Intl. Member Centers are supervised by PATH Intl. Certified Professionals who have undergone a stringent certification process and possess a strong equine background as well as an understanding of various disabilities.
Membership Requirements
- All centers must have either a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) or have a certification candidate who has an approved application and approval to test letter prior to joining PATH Intl. as a center member.
- All centers must have general liability insurance within 30 days of submitting a center membership application.
- New centers must submit a copy of their proof of insurance, and insurance policy information must be updated annually with renewal.
- Center membership runs January 1 to December 31. New center members that join after January will pay prorated dues for the first year of membership. All centers are required to renew their center membership by December 31st each year, regardless of join date. Yearly dues are tiered, based on the center’s operation expense budget.
Membership Dues
Recommended Insurance Providers
Center Membership Levels
There are close to 800 PATH Intl. Member Centers in the United States and around the world providing equine-assisted services (EAS). These member centers range from small, one-person programs to large operations with several certified instructors, licensed medical professionals, and skilled volunteers.
Center Membership
Premier Accredited Center Membership
Contact us
Questions? We’ll help you find answers.
Whether you have a question, a problem, an issue or just want to say “great job,” we’re here for you! Reach out and let us know what’s on your mind.
I belong to PATH Intl. because of the community environment built between instructors, facilities and members.