Denver, CO—Seven centers offering equine assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) earned NARHA’s highest level of accomplishment for the first time and became NARHA Premier Accredited Centers during 2009. In addition, 216 Premier Accredited Centers renewed their Premier Accredited Center status during the year.
To become a NARHA Premier Accredited Center, a member organization must successfully pass an on-site evaluation by a trained NARHA 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 field-tested by the NARHA membership to assure that centers follow procedures that are basic to quality EAAT. NARHA accreditation helps assist the public in selecting quality centers that provide safe EAAT for individuals with special needs. NARHA requires that Premier Accredited Centers are re-visited every five years.
By renewing Premier Accredited Center status through NARHA, centers demonstrate that they continue to comply with and exceed the national standards for the EAAT industry.
“By maintaining the NARHA Premier Accredited Center status, NARHA centers demonstrate their ongoing commitment to the highest standards when introducing individuals with special needs to a variety of equine activities,” said NARHA Marketing Director, Kaye Marks. “NARHA Accreditation is a respected benchmark within the EAAT industry. It demonstrates leadership and a commitment to safety and the highest professional standards.”
The following is a list of the equestrian centers that achieved or renewed NARHA Premier Accredited Center status during 2009.
Alabama
Talladega, AL: Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Foundation, original accreditation 9/1/1991
Arkansas
Sherwood, AR: Hearts & Hooves, Inc., original accreditation 6/7/2004
California
Sacramento, CA: UCP of Greater Sacramento Saddle Pals, original accreditation 6/15/1994
Yreka, CA: HEALTHERAPY, Inc. – Equine Facilitated Services, original accreditation 9/29/2004
Colorado
Steamboat Springs, CO: Humble Ranch Education and Therapy Center, original accreditation 7/21/2004
Connecticut
Columbia, CT: Camp Care Riding Program, original accreditation 12/1/2009
Florida
Fort Meyers, FL: Special Equestrians, Inc., original accreditation 12/15/1990
Loxahatchee, FL: Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, original accreditation 7/24/1989
Tampa, FL: Traverse, Inc., original accreditation 4/15/2002
Hawaii
Waimanalo, HI: Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii, original accreditation 8/29/2009
Illinois
Newark, IL: Equine Dreams, original accreditation 10/22/2009
Poplar Grove, IL: Bergmann Centre, original accreditation 1/28/1990
Indiana
South Bend, IN: Reins of Life, Inc., original accreditation 1/28/1990
Massachusetts
Belchertown, MA: Pioneer Valley Therapeutic Riding Association, original accreditation 7/24/1989
Tewksbury, MA: Tewksbury Hospital Equestrian Farm, original accreditation 5/8/2004
Maryland
Annapolis, MD: Maryland Therapeutic Riding, Inc., original accreditation 1/1/2000
Barnesville, MD: Circle of Hope Therapeutic Riding, Inc., original accreditation 11/30/1998
Michigan
Augusta, MI: Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center, original accreditation 4/20/1989
Middleville, MI: YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin, original accreditation 5/3/2004
Missouri
Columbia, MO: Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center, original accreditation 4/22/1989
Diamond, MO: Magic Moments Riding Therapy, original accreditation 10/2/2003
Wentzville, MO: Therapeutic Horsemanship, original accreditation 11/8/1989
Montana
Bozeman, MT: Eagle Mount–Bozeman, original accreditation 7/30/1990
North Carolina
Shelby, NC: Hearts and Hooves Therapeutic Riding Program, original accreditation 4/6/2004
New Hampshire
Durham, NH: University of New Hampshire, original accreditation 7/28/1993
New Jersey
Allendale, NJ: STEED, original accreditation 4/20/1989
Cape May Court House, NJ: Cape May County Equestrian Facility, Inc, original accreditation 11/15/2009
Egg Harbor Township, NJ: Atlantic Riding Center for Handicapped (ARCH), original accreditation 1/28/1990
Hackettstown, NJ: Therapeutic Riding at Centenary, original accreditation 6/19/2004
New York
Jamesville, NY: From the Ground Up Therapeutic Horsemanship, Inc., original accreditation 11/14/2009
Melville, NY: HorseAbility, original accreditation 1/6/2004
Pennsylvania
Milford, PA: G.A.I.T., original accreditation 1/1/2000
Sciota, PA: Equi-librium, Inc., original accreditation 1/31/1990
South Carolina
Awendaw, SC: Rein & Shine, Horses That Heal, original accreditation 9/25/2009
Texas
Keller, TX: Rocky Top Therapy Center/T.R.A.I.L. Foundation, original accreditation 5/10/1993
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Longview, TX: Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center of E TX, original accreditation 11/8/1990
Virginia
Blackstone, VA: Heartland Horse Heroes, original accreditation 11/14/2009
Great Falls, VA: Lift Me Up!, original accreditation 7/24/1989
Leesburg, VA: Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation, Inc., original accreditation 7/21/1989
Williamsburg, VA: Dream Catchers at the Cori Sikich Riding Center, original accreditation 12/12/2009
