Meet Our Team

At Equine-Assisted Therapy, we are proud to work with a highly skilled and dedicated team. We take our responsibility to our participants seriously. All of our instructors are certified through one of the following leading certifying entities: Eagala, SpiritHorse International, PATH International, or Equine Connection. These are the top four certifications recognized by insurance carriers for equine therapy centers.

EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association): 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. EAGALA’s mission is:  We set standards, provide support and educate professionals who are changing lives with Eagala Model services. We’re working to ensure that every person around the world has access to EAGALA Model services.

SpiritHorse International: A non-profit training and credentialing organization, SpiritHorse teaches centers worldwide how to transform the lives of people with special needs. Their mission is: To assist individuals with special needs in achieving their full potential through interaction with horses.

PATH  (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) International: The PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) is a voluntary, entry-level credential for individuals in the equine-assisted services (EAS) profession who provide riding instruction of therapeutic value to people with disabilities. This may include mounted or unmounted work ethically partnering with an equine. PATH Intl. CTRIs have met established criteria and standards of practice in the field. They have demonstrated their knowledge of disabilities, equines, teaching and human-animal interactions necessary for effective performance as an entry-level therapeutic riding instructor. This certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence.

Equine Connection: The Equine Connection certification model for Equine Assisted Learning is to positively impact people's lives through working with horses. Through objectively driven programs, they help people build skills while keeping the horse's welfare at the base of all they do. Their mission is: To partner with horses, rather than use them as tools. Equine assisted learning is an experiential method of developing life skills. Facilitated by a qualified professional to meet educational, professional, and personal needs (goals) through intentionally designed interactions with horses within a group format or one-on-one and focuses on ground activities rather than riding horses.