Accreditations

Discovery Riders recently earned its accreditation under The Premier Accredited Center Program offered by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, or PATH International, formerly The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.

Discovery Riders, Inc., Earns Accreditation

DENVER, CO–Discovery Riders, Inc., Zanesfield, OH,  recently earned its accreditation under the Premier Accredited Center (PAC) program offered by PATH International. PATH stands for the Professional Association for Theraputic Horsemanship , International.  By earning Premier Accredited Center status through PATH, DISCOVERY RIDERS has demonstrated that it is in accordance with the national standards for the equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) industry.

To become a PATH Premier Accredited Center, a member organization must successfully pass an on-site evaluation by a trained PATH site visitor. Centers’ evaluations cover a wide range of areas such as horse management, safety equipment, quality of instruction, facility operations, volunteerism and administrative practices. These standards were developed and adopted by the PATH membership to assure that centers follow procedures that are basic to quality equine assisted therapies and activities. PATH accreditation helps assist the public in selecting quality centers that provide safe equestrian services. PATH requires that Premier Accredited Centers are re-visited every five years.

“By attaining its PATH Premier Accredited Center status, DISCOVERY RIDERS has demonstrated a commitment to the highest standards when introducing individuals with special needs to a variety of equine assisted activities,” said PATH Chief Executive Officer Kay Green. “PATH Accreditation is a respected benchmark within the EAAT industry. It demonstrates leadership and a commitment to safety and to the highest professional standards.”

For more information about DISCOVERY RIDERS, contact Linda Hauck, marketing and developing coordinator for DISCOVERY RIDERS, at 937-935-6545.

PATH was formerly known as NARHA, which was formed in 1969 as the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association to promote equine assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs. At almost 800 member centers, a total of 42,000 children and adults find a sense of independence through involvement with horses. These member centers range from small, one-person programs to large operations with several certified instructors and licensed therapists. In addition to therapeutic riding, a center may offer any number of equine assisted activities including hippotherapy, equine facilitated mental health, driving, interactive vaulting, trail riding, competition, ground work, or stable management.  Through a wide variety of educational resources, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful equine assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs. There are more than 30,000 volunteers, 3,500 instructors, 6,300 equines and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH International centers.