Additional Information
Volunteering is a good way to begin. Anyone at least 13 years of age can
volunteer. No experience is necessary. Most centers will train and welcome
volunteers who are elderly or disabled.
North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) guidelines
recommend that any therapist offering hippotherapy be licensed or registered.
NARHA offers certification in three levels of instruction. It also offers
board certification in the clinical specialty of hippotherapy.
To become a certified instructor, get experience working with people at
a NARHA operating center (which can be located through its website). Then
take a NARHA-approved training course. Each level of certification has different
criteria.
To become board-certified in hippotherapy, you must be a licensed physical
therapist, occupational therapist or speech-language pathologist, have hippotherapy
experience and pass an exam.
To become a recreational therapist, you might be able to get by with an
associate's degree. However, a bachelor's degree or even a master's is preferred.
Other types of professional therapist positions require university degrees.
Elizabeth Benjamen operates a therapeutic riding center in Alabama. She
recommends that you get your degrees.
"Recognize this is something you love and have a passion for, but in the
realities of life -- dentists, automobiles, mortgages -- you need to keep
a balance. Also, take training in funding, business management and administration,"
says Benjamen.