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Guidelines for Organizations Conducting Equine Assisted Services (EAS)The EQUUS Foundation has one of the most comprehensive and impartial verification processes to recognize equine charities for their transparency and accountability to the public and to inspire donor confidence in the charities selected to receive grants each year. Financial support is provided only to those organizations that are both fully transparent & accountable to the public and have attained either the Guardian designation or Mentor accreditation annually in the year that financial support is awarded. The EQUUS Foundation recognizes equine charities and awards financial support on the basis of the organization's equine welfare practices and the assurance by the organization that any activity that incorporates equine interactions and/or the equine environment, mounted or ground-based, including any Equine Assisted Services (EAS) and/or Community Outreach programs, must safeguard the comfort and dignity of America's horses and make the quality of life of our equine partners paramount. Review our eligibility requirements here. All organizations must publicly attest that the interactions between their equines and people are mutually beneficial and conducted in accordance with the Guidelines for Human-Equine Interactions. For organizations that conduct programs involving interactions with equines, funding is not an endorsement of the quality or effectiveness of the interactions between horses and people. The EQUUS Foundation expects the people experiencing these interactions to judge the quality and effectiveness of the services they receive. For organizations that specifically conduct Equine Assisted Services (EAS) programs, the organization must publicly attest that they operate in compliance with the EQUUS Foundation Guidelines for Organizations Conducting Equine Assisted Services (EAS) and abide by and utilize the definitions contained in the documents, Optimal Terminology for Services in the United States That Incorporate Horses to Benefit People: A Consensus Document and EAS-Definitions-Guide-for-Researchers. The amount of financial support from the EQUUS Foundation awarded annually depends on the amount of funds raised by the EQUUS Foundation over the course of the year and the evaluation by the EQUUS Foundation of the merits of the organization's equine welfare and business practices, the needs of the organization and the organization's operating budget. Outlined below is a description of the Equine Assisted Services (EAS) which are recognized by the EQUUS Foundation: |
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| Therapy | ||||
| Therapy services that incorporate equines interactions and the equine environment include Psychotherapy/Counseling, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology. The therapist determines how equine interactions, equine movement or aspects of the equine environment may enhance the client's individualized treatment plan with the goals of improving the client's sensorimotor, cognitive, behavioral, or emotional function for improved health and wellness in accordance with the scope of the treating profession. | ||||
| Psychotherapy/Counseling | ||||
| The organization that provides Psychotherapy/Counseling where an appropriately credentialed therapy professional provides services incorporating equine interactions and the equine environment must meet the following criteria: | ||||
| 1. There must be at least one employee, independent contractor, volunteer or individual accompanying clients who is licensed in accordance with state law in the state where the organization is located as a mental health professional at a master or doctoral level, such as a clinical psychologist, clinical counselor, marriage and family therapist, or clinical social worker, present at all times when providing these services. | ||||
| 2. The service provider must work within their scope of practice and meet national competencies, such as those provided by the American Counseling Association, including animals in therapy. The service provider must have received education, training, and supervision/consultation per the Code of Ethics of their profession in graduate-level programs or non-academic training programs, in order to include interactions with equines and the equine environment in their therapy services. | ||||
| 3. The service provider must be experienced in equine welfare, equine handling and equine behavior, or depending on their particular therapy or approach, work with equine professionals or other assistants for risk management and other purposes to ensure the safety of the provider, client and equine; however, the inclusion of additional personnel such as assistants in a treatment setting must be done after careful consideration of the impact on the client and logistical needs. | ||||
| Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy/Speech-Language Pathology | ||||
| The organization that provides Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and/or Speech-Language Pathology where the skillful manipulation of equine movement and the equine environment are incorporated by the appropriately credentialed therapy professional must meet the following criteria: | ||||
| 1. There must be at least one employee, independent contractor, volunteer or individual accompanying clients who is licensed in the service provided in accordance with state law in the state where the organization is located as an occupational, physical or speech-language therapist present at all times when providing therapy services. | ||||
| 2. The service provider must be credentialed by the American Hippotherapy Certification Board (AHCB) as a Certified Therapist or a Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist. | ||||
| 3. The service provider must be experienced in equine welfare, equine handling and equine behavior, or depending on their particular therapy or approach, work with equine professionals or other assistants for risk management and other purposes to ensure the safety of the provider, client and equine; however, the inclusion of additional personnel such as assistants in a treatment setting must be done after careful consideration of the impact on the client and logistical needs. | ||||
| Recreational Therapy | ||||
| The organization that provides Recreational Therapy where an appropriately credentialed therapy professional provides services incorporating equine interactions and the equine environment must meet the following criteria: | ||||
| 1. There must be at least one employee, independent contractor, volunteer or individual accompanying clients who is licensed in accordance with state law in the state where the organization is located as a Recreational Therapist present at all times when providing these services. | ||||
| 2. The service provider must work within their scope of practice and meet national competencies, such as those provided by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). The service provider must have a bachelor’s degree, usually in recreational therapy or a related field such as recreation and leisure studies with an emphasis or concentration in recreational therapy/therapeutic recreation and be certified as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). Masters or Doctoral degrees are not required in some states, however, may be required in other states, therefore state law must be followed. The service provider must have received education, training, and supervision/consultation per the Code of Ethics of their profession. | ||||
| 3. The service provider must be experienced in equine welfare, equine handling and equine behavior, or depending on their particular therapy or approach, work with equine professionals or other assistants for risk management and other purposes to ensure the safety of the provider, client and equine; however, the inclusion of additional personnel such as assistants in a treatment setting must be done after careful consideration of the impact on the client and logistical needs. | ||||
| Horsemanship | ||||
| Horsemanship Services are defined as horsemanship instruction which is adapted to the ability/disability of the people receiving services for the purpose of learning horsemanship skills and encompasses Equestrian Sport, Riding, Driving, Vaulting and horsemanship-related groundwork. Organizations providing Horsemanship Services as defined above must meet the following criteria: | ||||
| Therapeutic/Adaptive Riding | ||||
| The organization must have at least one employee, independent contractor, volunteer or individual accompanying clients who is specifically trained in adaptive/therapeutic horsemanship instruction, experienced in equine welfare, equine handling and equine behavior and who holds at least one or more of the following credentials present at all times when providing these services: | ||||
| a. PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) or PATH Intl. Advanced or Master level therapeutic riding instructor | ||||
| b. Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) Instructor of Riders with Disabilities (IRD) Level One, Two, or Three in both Cognitive and Physical | ||||
| c. Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Coach | ||||
| d. Council for Education and Certification in Therapeutic Horsemanship (CECTH) PQI Certification | ||||
| Unmounted Groundwork | ||||
| The organization must have at least one employee, independent contractor, volunteer or individual accompanying clients who is specifically trained in adaptive/therapeutic horsemanship instruction, experienced in equine welfare, equine handling and equine behavior and who holds at least one or more of the following credentials present at all times when providing these services: | ||||
| a. PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) or PATH Intl. Advanced or Master level therapeutic riding instructor | ||||
| c. Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Coach | ||||
| b. Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) Instructor of Riders with Disabilities (IRD) Level One, Two, or Three in both Cognitive and Physical | ||||
| d. Council for Education and Certification in Therapeutic Horsemanship (CECTH) PQI Certification | ||||
| Driving | ||||
| The organization must have at least one employee, independent contractor, volunteer or individual accompanying clients who is specifically trained in adaptive/therapeutic horsemanship instruction, experienced in equine welfare, equine handling and equine behavior and who holds at least one or more of the following credentials present at all times when providing these services: | ||||
| a. PATH Intl. Therapeutic Driving Certification | ||||
| b. Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) Driving Certification and/or Carriage Association of America Driver Proficiency Program Certification working in association with a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, a Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Coach, or a CECTH Certified Instructor | ||||
| Vaulting | ||||
| The organization must have at least one employee, independent contractor, volunteer or individual accompanying clients who is specifically trained in adaptive/therapeutic horsemanship instruction, experienced in equine welfare, equine handling and equine behavior and who holds at least one or more of the following credentials present at all times when providing these services: | ||||
| a. PATH Intl. Therapeutic Vaulting Certification | ||||
| b. Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) Vaulting Certification working in association with a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, a Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Coach, or a CECTH Certified Instructor | ||||
| Learning | ||||
| Learning Services that incorporate equines interactions and the equine environment to achieve educational, personal, and/or professional goals and represents an area of non-therapy services comprised of equine-assisted learning in education, equine-assisted learning for personal development and equine assisted learning for professional development. Specially trained or certified professionals provide these services. | ||||
| Academic Learning | ||||
| The organization that provides Academic Learning Services has established an educational curriculum utilizing unmounted and/or mounted equine interactions, and/or the equine environment for the purpose of attainment of academic goals to be implemented by the organization in consultation with an educational entity and/or an educator with extensive knowledge, training, or certifications related to learning theory and teaching methodology; the qualifications of such educator demonstrated by an academic degree specific to the service being provided from an accredited college or university and/or a license in accordance with state law in the state where the program is located. Organizations providing Academic Learning as defined above must meet the following criteria for: | ||||
| 1. There must be at least one employee, independent contractor, volunteer or individual accompanying clients who is an educator demonstrated by a degree in education and/or a license in accordance with state law in the state where the organization is located as defined above or is an authorized representative of the educational entity present at all times when providing these services. | ||||
| 2. The service provider must be experienced in equine welfare, equine handling and equine behavior or work with equine professionals or other assistants to ensure the safety of the educator, client, and the equine. | ||||
| 3. For mounted services involving clients with diagnosed physical and/or cognitive disabilities, the service provider must be trained in adaptive/therapeutic horsemanship instruction, or the organization must have one employee, independent contractor, volunteer or individual accompanying clients who is specifically trained in adaptive/therapeutic horsemanship instruction and who holds at least one or more of the following credentials present at all times when providing these services: | ||||
| a. PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) or PATH Intl. Advanced or Master level therapeutic riding instructor | ||||
| b. Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) Instructor of Riders with Disabilities (IRD) Level One, Two, or Three in both Cognitive and Physical | ||||
| c. Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Coach | ||||
| d. Council for Education and Certification in Therapeutic Horsemanship (CECTH) PQI Certification | ||||
| Personal Development | ||||
| The organization that provides Personal Development Services has established a program utilizing unmounted and/or mounted equine interactions, and/or the equine environment for the purpose of attainment of personal development goals, individually or collectively as part of a group, to be implemented by the organization in consultation with an appropriately credentialed professional. The qualifications of such professional are demonstrated by a certification specific to the service being provided, and/or an academic degree from an accredited college or university and a license if mandated by the state in accordance with state law in the state where the program is located. Service providers conducting Personal Development Services should have extensive knowledge, training, or certifications in facilitation, coaching, and teaching; they should also clearly understand how their services differ from psychotherapy and counseling. Organizations providing Personal Development Services as defined above must meet the following criteria: | ||||
| 1. There must be at least one employee, independent contractor, volunteer or individual accompanying clients who is an appropriately credentialed educator, coach, or mental health professional, such as a clinical psychologist, clinical counselor, marriage and family therapist or clinical social worker, and has received the applicable degree and/or is licensed in their scope of practice in accordance with state law in the state where the organization is located present at all times when providing these services. | ||||
| 2. The service provider must be experienced in equine welfare, equine handling and equine behavior or work with equine professionals or other assistants to ensure the safety of the provider, client, and the equine. | ||||
| 3. For mounted services involving clients with diagnosed physical and/or cognitive disabilities, the service provider must be trained in adaptive/therapeutic horsemanship instruction, or the organization must have one employee, independent contractor, volunteer or individual accompanying clients who is specifically trained in adaptive/therapeutic horsemanship instruction and who holds at least one or more of the following credentials present at all times when providing these services: | ||||
| a. PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) or PATH Intl. Advanced or Master level therapeutic riding instructor | ||||
| c. Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Coach | ||||
| b. Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) Instructor of Riders with Disabilities (IRD) Level One, Two, or Three in both Cognitive and Physical | ||||
| d. Council for Education and Certification in Therapeutic Horsemanship (CECTH) PQI Certification | ||||
| Professional Development | ||||
| The organization provides Professional Development Services in which the organization has established a program utilizing unmounted and/or mounted equine interactions, and/or the equine environment for the purpose of attainment of professional development goals, individually or collectively as part of a group, to be implemented by the organization in consultation with an appropriately credentialed professional. The qualifications of such provider(s) are demonstrated by a certification specific to the service being provided, and/or an academic degree from an accredited college or university and a license if mandated by the state in accordance with state law in the state where the program is located. Service providers conducting Professional Development Services should have extensive knowledge, training, and certifications related to organizational theory, team building, strategic planning, or leadership development. Organizations providing Professional Development Services as defined above must meet the following criteria: | ||||
| 1. There must be at least one employee, independent contractor, volunteer or individual accompanying clients who is an appropriately credentialed educator, organizational strategist, and/or coach and/or has received an applicable degree and/or is licensed in their scope of practice in accordance with state law in the state where the organization is located present at all times when providing these services. | ||||
| 2. The service provider must be experienced in equine welfare, equine handling and equine behavior or work with equine professionals or other assistants to ensure the safety of the provider, client, and the equine. | ||||
| 3. For mounted services involving clients with diagnosed physical and/or cognitive disabilities, the service provider must be trained in adaptive/therapeutic horsemanship instruction, or the organization must have one employee, independent contractor, volunteer or individual accompanying clients who is specifically trained in adaptive/therapeutic horsemanship instruction and who holds at least one or more of the following credentials present at all times when providing these services: | ||||
| a. PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) or PATH Intl. Advanced or Master level therapeutic riding instructor | ||||
| c. Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Coach | ||||
| b. Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) Instructor of Riders with Disabilities (IRD) Level One, Two, or Three in both Cognitive and Physical | ||||
| d. Council for Education and Certification in Therapeutic Horsemanship (CECTH) PQI Certification | ||||