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PATH Intl. CTRI Receives NCCA Accreditation

PATH Intl. CTRI Receives NCCA Accreditation

For Immediate Release – 07/26/2023

National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) Accredits the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor Certification (PATH Intl. CTRI®)
Contact: Sara Conant, Communications & Marketing Coordinator, , (800) 369-7433 ext. 123

 

National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) Accredits the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (PATH Intl. CTRI®) Certification

Denver, CO – 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. At nearly 750 member centers, more than 66,000 children and adults, including 6,200 veterans, may find improved health, wellness and a sense of pride, independence and fun through involvement with horses. Therapeutic horsemanship at member centers may include hippotherapy, equine-facilitated mental health, driving, interactive vaulting, trail riding, competition, groundwork and stable management. Through a wide variety of educational resources, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful EAS programs. There are nearly 62,500 volunteers, 5,011 instructors, 7,800 equines and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH Intl. Member Centers.

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 794 member centers, more than 46,600 children and adults, including 5,200 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, groundwork, and stable management; physical, speech and occupational therapies; mental health services incorporating equines; and coaching and learning programs, among other services. There are nearly 40,000 volunteers, 4,863 PATH Intl. certified professionals, 5,250 equines, and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH Intl. Member Centers achieve their health, wellness, and learning goals. Through a wide variety of educational resources and certification programs, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful EAS programs. PATH Intl. offers the first and only independently accredited certification program in the EAS industry. The PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor® Certification, first accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies in 2022, demonstrates the competency of therapeutic riding instructors and adds credibility to the EAS industry as a career path.