Happy Trails Riding Academy, in Visalia, California, Earns Prestigious Professional Reaccreditation 

Denver, CO – Happy Trails Riding Academy, in Visalia, California, once again recently earned the designation of Premier Accredited Center by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.). 

Happy Trails Riding Academy, partners individuals who have special needs, and others, with certified professionals and equines to achieve health, wellness and learning goals. By earning PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center status, Happy Trails Riding Academy, has demonstrated it is operating in accordance with nearly 200 PATH Intl. standards for the equine-assisted services (EAS) industry. Out of the more than 800 PATH Intl. Member Centers, only 250 hold this prestigious distinction. 

To become a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center, Happy Trails Riding Academy, successfully passed an evaluation by trained PATH Intl. site visitors. Center evaluations cover a wide range of topics such as horse management, participant safety, equipment, quality of instruction, facility operations, volunteerism and best-business administrative practices, all with specific standards that must be met. These standards were developed and adopted by the PATH Intl. membership to ensure that centers follow procedures essential to safe, quality EAS programming. PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center is a designation indicating to the public that a center has met a rigorous set of quality and safety standards. PATH Intl. requires that Premier Accredited Centers be re-accredited every five years to maintain this designation.  

“By reattaining its PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center status, Happy Trails Riding Academy, has demonstrated a commitment to the highest standards when introducing individuals with special needs to a variety of equine-assisted services,” said PATH Intl. Chief Executive Officer Kathy Alm. “PATH Intl. Accreditation is a respected benchmark in the EAS industry. It demonstrates leadership and a commitment to safety and to the highest professional standards.” 

For more information about Happy Trails Riding Academy, please contact Executive Director, Leslie Gardner at leslie@wearehappytrails.com, or visit their website at www.wearehappytrails.comFor more information about the PATH Intl. Premier Accreditation process please visit: pathintl.org/accreditation/. 

About PATH Intl.: The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International® (PATH Intl.®) was formed in 1969 to promote safety and optimal outcomes in equine-assisted services (EAS) for individuals with special needs and others. At 813 member centers, more than 53,339 children and adults, including 5,900 veterans, may find improved health, wellness and a sense of pride, independence and fun through involvement with horses. Member centers offer therapeutic horsemanship including riding, driving, interactive vaulting, trail riding, competition, groundwork and stable management; physical, occupational therapies; speech language pathology and mental health services incorporating horses, coaching and learning programs among other services. Through a wide variety of educational resources, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful EAS programs. There are nearly 50,000 volunteers, 5,424 certified professionals, 76,781 equines and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH Intl. Member Centers achieve their health and wellness and learning goals.