1. Welcome to Standards and how they apply to each of us 2018 Manual
Faculty introductions
Participants-
How many certification candidates?
How many Center Reps?
CE?
Housekeeping Details
Bathroom location
Cell phones silent or vibrate
As the name change from 2011 reflects, PATH Intl has moved from its founding focus of Therapeutic Riding with other Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies as extra specialties, to the focus on therapeutic horsemanship in general. The 2012 Standards Manual reflected that change and opened opportunities for future growth.
This course is based upon the 2018 manual.
Standards and how
they apply to each of us
2018 Manual

2. Who is US? Instructor ESMHL Therapists Administrative Board Members
Volunteers

3. Instructor Responsibilities
To be knowledgeable
To be safe
To be effective
make decisions
educate others
become more effective in providing a high level of service.

4. Code of Ethics
Instructors sign annually a Code of Ethics, which includes professional competency, integrity, honesty, confidentiality, objectivity, sound judgment, public safety and

5. PATH Intl Standards
Important to the ongoing work and daily activities of instructors.
Provide guidance to instructors to strive toward best practices.
Protect Safety and Integrity of Clients and Program
Take the time to know your standards!

6. Standards are the model of best practices.
They are:
The basis for program and executive protocols and plans
A consideration for instructors/ PATH certified professionals in all aspects of Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT)
Used to organize center activities
The place to start when developing new specialty program
Written in a way to be adaptable worldwide
For most standards there are multiple ways to meet the standard.

7. The PATH Intl. Standards for Certification and Accreditation Manual
Is updated annually
Most current manual is 2018
The Standards are reassessed continually through feedback from centers.
Sections throughout the manual are updated due to changes in the industry, new medical protocols from Medical Associations, or to exemplify best practices.

8. Understanding Standards….
Divided into three sections:
Core Standards
Basics
Activity Standards
How
Service Standards
Who and Goals

9. Core Standards Administration and Business – Designated by A
Plans, policies and procedures, executive and managerial decisions
Human resources, training, forms
Program policies and emergency protocols
Facility – Designated by F
Grounds/buildings, equipment storage and maintenance
Activity area standards
Equine Welfare and Management – Designated by EQM
Equine: selection, care, management, training and usage
Equipment: safety, care, fit and assignment
The Core Standards-
These are the standards that all facilities should meet
Administration and Business – Designated by A (used in the standard number- example: A7)
Facility Standards- Designated by F
Equine Welfare and Management- Designated by EQM
Standards effecting horse care, management, training and usage

10. *F10- Private processing area for EFP
Mandatory Core Standards:
*A14- Signed, dated, written waiver or release of liability available on-site
*A32- Implemented written policy that ASTM-SEI helmet worn while mounted or driving or vaulting
*F10- Private processing area for EFP
*F18- Available working telephone or similar communication device in a designated location
*F22-Implemented procedure to ensure tack safe and in good repair.
Page 18 of standards manual

11. Mandatory Core Standards (continued):
*F26- implemented written procedure that ensures the driving vehicle is regularly maintained.
*EQM4- equine training and conditioning program for interactive vaulting
*EQM6-1. implement written policy to limit the workload of each equine
2. written record of # of hours and type
of session

12. Activity Standards Mounted - MA Driving Standards - DA
Interactive Vaulting Standards - VA
Ground - GA
Activity Standards-The activities we offer (Sport/recreation/competitive)
Include our previous Specialty standards and areas regarding-
Safety of participant
Activity equipment (safety/selection)
Equine training
Mounted- MA
Driving Standards- DA
Interactive Vaulting Standards- VA
Ground- GA

13. *MA6- All participants wear ASTM-SEI helmet during a mounted activity.
Mandatory Activity Standards:
*MA1- Written evidence mounted activity conducted by currently certified PATH intl Certified Riding Instructor.
*MA3- Implemented written stirrup policy
*MA6- All participants wear ASTM-SEI helmet during a mounted activity.

14. *DA2 – During driving session, means of attaching rope to equine
Mandatory Activity Standards:
*DA1- Written evidence driving sessions conducted by currently certified PATH intl Certified Driving Instructor.
*DA2 – During driving session, means of attaching rope to equine
*DA4 – Equine put to vehicle before entering
*DA5 – Safety procedure 1. entering and exiting vehicle 2.specific needs addressed 3.presence of PATH Intl Certified Driving Instructor

15. Mandatory Activity Standards:
*DA6- ABWhip in vehicle and holds reins when enter and exit. 2nd set of reins during session
*DA8 – only one wheelchair, wheelchair secured and attendants who can secure wheelchair
*DA9 – power wheelchair battery off, appropriate vehicle and equine, adequate entrance and exit

16. *DA12- one trained able bodied person in vehicle
Mandatory Activity Standards:
*DA11 – ABW is at least 18, at least 50 hours of experience, trained in use of 2nd set of reins
*DA12- one trained able bodied person in vehicle
*DA17- ASTM-SEI helmet worn while participating in driving activity.

17. *VA3 – additional person present during activity
Mandatory Activity Standards:
*VA1- Written evidence vaulting sessions conducted by currently certified PATH intl Certified Vaulting Instructor.
*VA3 – additional person present during activity
*VA5 – written policy for max use of equine in vaulting
*VA6 – ASTM-SEI helmet worn or written documentation meeting guidelines for non-use

18. Mandatory Activity Standards:
*GA1- Written evidence ground activities conducted by currently certified PATH intl recognized certification in the specific equine activity being held.

19. Service Standards Equestrian Skills - ESK Medical Mental Health - MMH
The goal/outcome of a session is for the participant to gain equestrian skills. (Therapeutic riding/Interactive Vaulting/Driving)
Participant intakes, progress notes, goals
No mandatory standards
Medical Mental Health - MMH
The goal/outcome for the participant is achieved by a licensed/credentialed health care professional.
Hippotherapy and Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy
Medical/mental health intakes and notes
Licensure and supervision
Hippotherapy and EFP specific orientation and training
Service Standards: (Goals of the activities)
Credentialing and certifications
Professional responsibility
Paperwork requirements
Equestrian Skills- ESK
Includes standards about:
Therapeutic riding/ Interactive Vaulting/ Driving participant intakes, progress notes, goals
Medical Mental Health- MMH
Hippo and Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy to include medical/mental health intakes and notes

20. *MMH2- written evident of professional liability insurance.
Mandatory Service Standards:
*MMH1- Written MMH professional is credentialed and providing service in scope of jurisdiction.
*MMH2- written evident of professional liability insurance.
*MMH4- written evidence of PATH Registered Therapist or HPCS
*MMH5 – written evidence of training by therapist in principals of HPOT
*MMH6 – written policy PTA and COTA are supervised

21. *MMH7- 1.During EFP, ES present. 2.Mounted-TRI and ES present
Mandatory Service Standards:
*MMH7- 1.During EFP, ES present. 2.Mounted-TRI and ES present
*MMH8 Health professional is PATH intl credential or supervised by such.
*MMH11- HPOT equine handler trained
*MMH18- written evidence personnel and volunteers are assessed for ability 2. consistently involved 3.oriented in EFC 4.oriented to needs of clients. 5. post-session processing.
*MMH19 – written documentation for T-HPOT equine workload

22. Why Mandatory Standards?
Mandatory standards are deemed to be significant in the assurance of safety precautions, certifications and liabilities.
As instructors these should be especially important to you!

23. To simplify….
Every center must comply with the Core Standards. The Core Standards serve as the foundation for all PATH Intl programs.
The Core Standards-
These are the standards that all facilities should meet
Administration and Business – Designated by A (used in the standard number- example: A7)
Facility Standards- Designated by F
Equine Welfare and Management- Designated by EQM
Standards effecting horse care, management, training and usage

24. And then……
Each program will have an Activity Standards section and a Service Standards section.
Essentially: What and Who
What is the activity and who is doing it
All of the standards areas, Core, Activity, and Services, can be considered building blocks for your center.
Every center must comply with the Core Standards. The Core Standards serve as the foundation for all PATH programs.
The nature of your center will determine what other standards sections apply.
Activities offered and the goals of the activities or services determine the standards area.
Each center will analyze their programs and determine their activity and service sections.

25. Activity Standards cover how we deliver the equine activities
Is it on the horse, driving the horse, vaulting or ground work?
Service Standards cover the goals of the activities/therapies and who provides the activities/therapies
Is the goal an equestrian skill taught by a PATH-certified instructor? Then ESK
Is the goal medically based? Hippotherapy? or EFP? Then MMH
All of the standards areas, Core, Activity, and Services, can be considered building blocks for your center.
Every center must comply with the Core Standards. The Core Standards serve as the foundation for all PATH programs.
The nature of your center will determine what other standards sections apply.
Activities offered and the goals of the activities or services determine the standards area.
Each center will analyze their programs and determine their activity and service sections.

26. What standard areas apply to your center programs and activities?
For Example: If the center does____ then they must meet ____:
Driving:
Core, Driving, ESK
Vaulting:
Core, Interactive Vaulting, ESK
PATH Intl has changed our approach to a more proactive, growth accommodating structure.
Other scenarios:
Unmounted EFL program with an Equine Specialist and certified Teacher:
Core, Ground, ESK
 Mounted and unmounted EFL program with ES and TRI:
Core, Ground, ESK, Mounted
(Ground included if ES ever supervises unmounted lessons without TRI On-site)
Hippotherapy that also offers groundwork:
Core, Ground, Mounted, MMH

27. What standard areas apply to your center programs and activities?
For Example: If the center does____ then they must meet ____:
Therapeutic Riding:
Core, Mounted, Ground and ESK
Hippotherapy:
Core, Mounted, Medical Mental Health
and maybe Ground
EFP:
Core, Ground, Medical Mental Health
and maybe Mounted
PATH Intl has changed our approach to a more proactive, growth accommodating structure.
Other scenarios:
Unmounted EFL program with an Equine Specialist and certified Teacher:
Core, Ground, ESK
 Mounted and unmounted EFL program with ES and TRI:
Core, Ground, ESK, Mounted
(Ground included if ES ever supervises unmounted lessons without TRI On-site)
Hippotherapy that also offers groundwork:
Core, Ground, Mounted, MMH

28. Field Test Standards Field Test Standards
A standard or a group of standards that are placed before the general membership for evaluation and review prior to becoming a standard. .
The next section of the manual is Section G- Field Test Standards
How they are developed
Field testing- general membership has say in approval
Any member, community person, or professional may submit proposal to the PATH Intl Office
Programs and Oversight Committee approves researching feasibility of standard.
Standards task force develops a standard for field testing
Accreditation Sub committee tracks field testing. If more than a 30% fail then proposal is sent back.
Programs and Standards Committee refers for approval at annual meeting after a year of field testing with positive feedback
Annual meeting feedback at conference and comments sent in to PATH Office by membership
Stress that the general membership, from PATH member volunteer to Executive Directors, have a voice in how our organization functions.

29. Sample Forms Change notification for PATH Intl PAC
Change notification for Center member
Participant application and health history
Volunteer/Staff Information Form and Health History
Job description worksheet
Confidentiality Policy worksheet
Occurrence Report
Horse Profile
And MORE!!!!!

30. Sample Service Forms Medical record maintenance compliance form
EFP consent for release of confidential information
EFP referral form
Mental health data form
And MORE!!!!!

31. Glossary
When you have questions about a standard, start by looking up definitions for clarification. Many times the answers are in this section.
Sample terms:
PATH Intl. Certified Professional:
An individual who maintains a certification obtained through PATH Intl.
Licensed/Credentialed health professional:
A licensed health professional
Implemented:
to carry out, accomplish,
to ensure actual fulfillment
by concrete measures.
Very important but oft overlooked chapter. When you have questions about a standard, start by looking up definitions for clarification. Many times the answers are in this section.
Teaching points:
Stress checking definitions of words from standard. For example in standard # MMH5 The instructor must assist during the hippotherapy session if the therapist is not a certified instructor. Assist according to the glossary means –in view of the activity.
Terms and Path definitions that will be helpful to know:

32. Guidelines Helmets Alternative helmet guidelines
Guidelines for non-use of helmets in interactive vaulting
Equine First Aid Kit guidelines
Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy guidelines
Backriding guidelines
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Considerations
Adaptive Tack guidelines
PATH Intl Equine-Assisted Learning Guidelines
The Guidelines, section K includes information about:

33. Precautions and Contraindications
What is a Precaution?
A condition that requires further investigation and possible continued investigation at regular intervals. If the movement will cause a decrease in the participants’ movement, an increase in pain or will generally aggravate the medical condition, it may not be the activity of choice.
What is a Contraindication?
A contraindication means the activity is inappropriate for the medical condition. If the activity is detrimental to the participant or to the equine, equine activities may be contraindicated.
ANIMATION ON SLIDE
The goal of PATH Intl. centers is to provide safe and productive equine- assisted activities for all participants and to “do no harm”.
“Will the benefit of the equine activity outweigh the risk?”
 q. What is a precaution?
If the movement will cause a decrease in the participants’ function, an increase in pain or generally aggravate the medical condition, it may not be the activity of choice.
q. What is a Contraindication?
If the activity is detrimental to the participant or to the equine, equine activities may be contraindicated.
 A therapeutic riding applicant may be contraindicated for riding but perfect for a
different type of Equine Assisted Activity.
 Precautions and Contraindications were originally geared towards therapeutic riding or mounted activities. All EAAT have a certain level of movement required but some EAAT may be more appropriate for an applicant than TR.
 Updated annually-
instructors need to keep up with changes in the medical field. Many centers rely on their directors to assess clients for precautions and contraindications but the instructor needs to protect themselves and the client as well.
Know your precautions and contraindications!

34. Precautions and Contraindications
Precautions are a YIELD sign
Slow Down and get more information

35. Precautions and Contraindications
Contraindications are a STOP sign-DO NOT PROCEED!

36. Precautions and Contraindications
Are precautions or contraindications always obvious?
Can they change?
The goal of PATH Intl. centers and instructors should be to provide safe and productive equine- assisted activities for all participants and to “do no harm”.
ANIMATION ON SLIDE
The goal of PATH Intl. centers is to provide safe and productive equine- assisted activities for all participants and to “do no harm”.
“Will the benefit of the equine activity outweigh the risk?”
 q. What is a precaution?
If the movement will cause a decrease in the participants’ function, an increase in pain or generally aggravate the medical condition, it may not be the activity of choice.
q. What is a Contraindication?
If the activity is detrimental to the participant or to the equine, equine activities may be contraindicated.
 A therapeutic riding applicant may be contraindicated for riding but perfect for a
different type of Equine Assisted Activity.
 Precautions and Contraindications were originally geared towards therapeutic riding or mounted activities. All EAAT have a certain level of movement required but some EAAT may be more appropriate for an applicant than TR.
 Updated annually-
instructors need to keep up with changes in the medical field. Many centers rely on their directors to assess clients for precautions and contraindications but the instructor needs to protect themselves and the client as well.
Know your precautions and contraindications!

37. The Buck Stops With You!
Whether your center is a member center, a new center, an established center, a premiere-accredited center or a one man show. As instructors, it is our responsibility to know and understand the PATH International Standards and to be able to say “NO” when we need to!!

38. SOME specific responsibilities of PATH International Credentialed Individuals

39. Make sure you have reviewed the information gathered by your facility before you begin teaching an individual
Check fit of equipment for equine and participant
Complete equipment safety checks at beginning of each lesson or activity
Know what the hazards are at your facility
Where is the First Aid Kit for Humans
Where is the Equine first aid kit
When do I need to complete an occurrence form
How do I complete an occurrence form
What do I do before and after I complete an occurrence form

40. Did I ensure equipment is safe and in good repair
Is the tack room and equipment organized and accessible
Is the equine care and stable maintenance supplies stored in designated location
Is the arena gate closed securely during program activities
Is the arena clear of hazards
Is my equine sound and ready for lesson
Do I have enough volunteers to safely complete activity

41. The Buck Stops With You!
Whether your center is a member center, a new center, an established center, a premiere-accredited center or a one man show. As instructors, it is our responsibility to know and understand the PATH International Standards and to be able to say “NO” when we need to!!