Resources
Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, Intl.
PATH Intl. was founded in 1969 to promote safe and effective therapeutic — also known as adaptive — horseback riding throughout the United States and Canada. Today, PATH Intl. has 794 member centers, nearly 4,000 individual members and more than 4,800 certified professionals in countries all over the world who help and support more than 46,600 children and adults — including 5,200 veterans — with special needs each year through a variety of equine-assisted services.
Certified Horsemanship Association
The Certified Horsemanship Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit membership association, founded in 1967. CHA certifies equine professionals, accredits equine facilities and provides resources to programs and equine professionals in the form of published industry standards for equestrian programs, student horsemanship manuals and equine professional manuals. Additionally, program materials are offered by CHA including student awards and certificates, posters and other educational resources. The mission statement for CHA is to promote excellence in horsemanship safety and education for the entire horse industry.
Certified Horsemanship Association
The American Hippotherapy Association, Inc. is a 501(c)3 Non-profit organization, which provides educational resources and continuing education courses for occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech language pathology professionals who incorporate equines, equine movement and the equine environment in treatment. The AHA, Inc. believes that individuals in need of habilitation or rehabilitation are best served by skilled and licensed healthcare professionals. As such, AHA, Inc. is unique in that we are the only organization in the United States whose focus in on educating licensed healthcare professionals on therapy services incorporating equines.
Eagala
The Eagala organization spans a global network of highly professional and passionate individuals incorporating horses into treatment. Every certified Eagala practitioner is a credentialed Mental Health Professional or Equine Specialist, passing through standardized hands-on training, assessment, and mentorship.
Horses for Mental Health
Horses for Mental Health is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to increase awareness, public engagement, funds, and access to programs incorporating horses for mental health and personal growth. We partner with nonprofit organizations, philanthropists, celebrities, influencers, and companies to realize our collective vision of a world where all mental health needs are met – together.
International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations
The International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations (IAHAIO) is the global association of organizations that engage in practice, research and/or education in animal assisted activity, animal assisted therapy, and service animal training. These activities serve to promote pet ownership, the human-animal bond, and respectful approaches to engaging with animals.
We have over 100 multidisciplinary member organizations and professional associations globally such as the AVMA, AAHA, JAHA, WSPA, and AAH-ABV in the veterinary medical field, the HABRI Foundation, ISAZ, and a wide range of academic centers, AAA and AAT practice organizations. The very large cadre of member organizations strongly positions IAHAIO to lead the HAI field in important directions.