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Be the instructor to the instructors

The PATH Intl. Higher Education Membership program provides colleges and universities with resources and guidance to help develop students into leaders in the equine-assisted services  industry.   

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Higher Education Membership

Your education to  meet their needs.

PATH Intl. has an exciting membership for educational institutions that offer education in equine-assisted services. The PATH Intl. Higher Education Membership offers a flexible membership to meet the needs of a variety of universities and colleges. Depending on your institution’s student needs and profile there are a variety of ways to take advantage of this excellent opportunity. 

Why PATH Intl.

Who are Higher Education members?

Many institutions have an equine facility as part of their campus and in many cases it is utilized as part of the equine science or equine studies program. Incorporating equine-assisted services programs or research at the equine facility allows students to gain valuable hands-on experience. 

Here are some of the content areas and activities offered at PATH Intl. Higher Education Member institutions:

  • Equine-assisted services introductory courses
  • Courses that meet one or more components of the Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor application
  • PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor exam preparation
  • Research in the equine-assisted services field
  • Hands-on practicums with equines and equine-assisted services experience

Membership Benefits

PATH Intl. Higher Education Members enjoy national recognition, national networking and advertising opportunities, opportunities to connect your graduates with employment opportunities, and a story to tell for student recruitment.

  • Directory listing including logo and program details on the PATH Intl. website
  • Deeply discounted student membership available to all currently enrolled students
  • Special Higher education member pricing for PATH Intl. Higher Education Student Members and faculty
  • The accreditation application fee is waived as part of the higher education membership benefits package.

If you are interested in becoming a Higher Education Member, please call Karen Province at (800) 369-7433.

PATH Intl. Higher Education Members are colleges and universities who offer:

By joining PATH Intl., your students have access to not only exceptional educational resources but also a solid base for networking and success in the equine-assisted services industry. In addition, your institution has access to the resources needed to offer PATH Intl. Therapeutic Riding Instructor Certification at the registered and advanced level.

  • Certification combined with a degree
  • Curriculum that enables you to become certified
  • Schools with related equine-assisted services

Why PATH Intl. has Higher Education Members

  • To encourage the acceptance of equine-assisted services as a legitimate career choice.
  • To encourage future students majoring in traditional programs, such as social work, psychology, education and physical therapy, to add another dimension to their current course work. By providing this training within a degree program, graduates will be prepared to introduce and incorporate this work within their future employment.
  • Being part of a university degree program adds credibility to equine-assisted services.
  • The membership increases awareness of how equine-assisted activities and therapies interfaces with education, social work, psychology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, recreational therapy, business, nonprofit management, and many other fields.
  • Improves the preparedness of instructors to better serve their clientele.

PATH Intl. Higher Education Members

Asbury University

Cathrin Wilbanks

(678) 773-4200

Colorado State University

701 S. Overland Trail

Fort Collins, CO

(970) 491-8373

Colorado State University Temple Grandin Equine Center provides opportunities for students in education, research and outreach in Equine Assisted Services.

As part of the Department of Animal Sciences, the Bachelor of Science degree in Equine Science provides coursework and training in equine disease, equine nutrition, behavior, equine management, training and care. These foundation courses prepare students for 3 courses in Equine Assisted Services leading to PATH Intl. CTRI certification. Coursework includes CTRI portfolio preparation, application and preparation for the CTRI certifying examination. Student portfolio components and mentored teaching hours can be completed at the Temple Grandin Equine Center through coursework and in association with our contracted PATH Premier Accredited Centers on-site. Together with these contracted providers, the Temple Grandin Equine Center offers a strong foundation and preparation to be successful in the EAS industry directly after graduation or to pursue graduate studies in related fields including physical and occupational therapy. Opportunities also exist for student participation in undergraduate and graduate research in EAS on-site.

The Temple Grandin Equine Center offers opportunities for students to provide services locally to the community, to schools and veterans through therapeutic and adaptive riding, occupational and physical therapy in an equine environment, and equine assisted learning.

Lake Erie College

391 W Washington St

Painesville, OH

(440) 477-3474

As one of the oldest institutions for higher learning in the Western Reserve, Lake Erie College is proud of its long heritage. From its start as a female seminary to a coeducational institution of today offering undergraduate and graduate degrees to individuals of all ages, the College has been a leader in higher education for 160 years.

Lake Erie College currently offers 33 undergraduate majors, 26 undergraduate minors, as well as programs of concentration and licensure in addition to graduate programs leading to a master’s degree in business administration, education and physician assistant studies.

Home to one of the oldest equestrian programs in the country and proudly boasting the 2011 National IDA Championship Team, The School of Equine Studies at Lake Erie College is a flagship program. Equine studies provides opportunity to develop skills necessary for equine facility management, teacher/trainer careers and therapeutic horsemanship. Programs in the School of Equine Studies also provide a multi-disciplinary approach to the equine industry in an effort to maximize successful business ventures. 

The therapeutic horsemanship major allows students to focus on therapeutic horsemanship instruction or program administration with special attention to best practices in delivering therapeutic horsemanship to equestrians with special needs. Students benefit by a practical internship as well as hands on experience with the onsite therapeutic horsemanship classes for community riders.

The PATH Intl. Higher Education membership has allowed Centenary University to engage enrolled students in the EAS-industry on a national level, providing important benefits that include student membership discounts on educational resources and certifications. At CU, we are committed to the important overlap of the EAS-industry and institutions of higher learning, and the Higher Education membership option has allowed us to enhance and highlight this commitment!

Karen Brittle
Assistant Professor of Equine Studies and Director of Therapeutic Riding At Centenary (TRAC)

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