The three-day PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning workshop provides specialized training for equestrians who are interested in conducting equine-facilitated mental health and/or equine-assisted learning programs. This workshop is not designed to train educators or mental health professionals how to perform their role in equine-facilitated psychotherapy or equine-assisted learning sessions, nor is it designed to teach equine handling skills. Attendees should come with these skills already in place or a plan to obtain them following the workshop. The workshop does not include practice leading equines through the horsemanship skills test course.

This workshop will be taught by some of the most experienced people in the field of equine-facilitated mental health and learning and will give the participants a chance to see what is current in the field. Each course will be team-taught by an equine professional in collaboration with a mental health professional working with several equines.

Focus of Training:

• The specific role of the equine specialist when assisting or collaborating with human service providers

• Designing safe, mutually beneficial, and effective activities to enhance participant outcomes 

• Determining specific equine handling methods

• Understanding students with mental health and/or learning issues

• Assessing the equine’s response to student behaviors and needs

• To help prepare qualified participants to complete the PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning Certification

​

Training is designed for:

• Individuals 21 years of age and older with a high school diploma or GED

• Equine professionals

• Therapeutic riding instructors looking to collaborate with mental health and education professionals to incorporate equine-facilitated mental health and/or equine-assisted learning sessions into center programming

• Those who wish to enhance their ability to work with mental health and education professionals and their clients

​

Prerequisites:

• Equine handling skills comparable to those described in the PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor criteria, Pony Club C or CHA Level 1.

• Familiarity with PATH Intl. Standards and Certified Professionals Code of Ethics.

• Current PATH Intl membership.

​

Cost: $500.00 (Workshop & Testing) - Includes the workshop manual, meals, snacks, and beverages. Schedule: The workshop is three full days, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The host site will provide breakfast or a healthy morning snack and a full lunch all three days. On the last day of the workshop, a skills test review will be held from 5 to 5:30 p.m. The skills test will occur on day four. It takes about 25 minutes per candidate to complete the skills test and exit interview. The length of the day will vary depending on the number of candidates testing.

​

COVID Policy – At present, Inspiration Ranch requires the wearing of masks unless in a group in which all have been vaccinated and can maintain 6’ spacing.  This policy is in effect until CDC guidelines recommend otherwise.