Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.), a federally-registered 501(c3) nonprofit, was formed in 1969 as the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association to promote equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) for individuals with special needs. With more than 4,800 certified instructors and equine specialists and 877 member centers, more than 8.000 PATH Intl. members around the globe help more than 62,000 children and adults--including more than 5,500 veterans and active-duty military personnel--with physical, cognitive and emotional challenges find strength and independence through the power of the horse each year. In addition to therapeutic riding, our centers offer a number of therapeutic equine-related activities, including hippotherapy, equine-facilitated mental health, driving, interactive vaulting, competition, ground work and stable management. More recently, programs offer services in human growth and development to serve wide-ranging audiences for such educational purposes as leadership training, team building and other human capacity enhancement skills for the workplace and for daily use. Click here to find a center near you.
PATH Intl. is the credentialing organization for accrediting centers and certifying instructors and equine specialists. Through our certification and accreditation programs, plus a wide variety of educational resources that includes an annual international conference that can attract close to 1,000 attendees, the association helps members start and maintain successful EAAT programs. There are more than 54,000 volunteers, 4,846 certified professionals, 7,546 equines and thousands of contributors from all over the world at PATH Intl. Member Centers inspiring and enriching the human spirit.
The PATH Intl. mission is to promote safety and optimal outcomes in equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs.
For a fun look at the global distribution of people who have visited the PATH Intl. website since June 7, 2011, visit our global maps page.