Q: Certification is not mandated by law, why should I spend the money and take the time to become PACTH certified?
A: As this profession has grown, so have the expectations for practitioners grown. There is so much more to participating in any equine assisted activity than having an individual with a disability sit on a horse and be led around - this is a pony ride, not a therapeutic ride. Through the certification process, you are letting your riders, their families and the public know that you are concerned about safety, methods, education and standards of practice. Insurance companies recognize and reward applicants for their certifications. Continuing education shows dedication to the field and your professionalism. Grant applications will require certification. In a worst-case scenario, should you have an accident, your certification will show that you know and adhere to state and national standards in your practice.
Q: Once I become certified at a certain level, can I continue on to the next level?
A: Absolutely! The Instructor-in-Training is not a certified instructor, but once they have acquired experience and supervised teaching hours, they can return to Phases I and II and re-take the exams at the Instructor level and continue on to Phase III. The certified Instructor can return to Phases I and II and take the exams at the Master Instructor level and continue on to Phase III at the Master Instructor level. There are many benefits to continuing in the certification process: ability to teach more involved students; become a speaker/presenter at seminars and conferences; participate in research projects; become a mentor; be involved in your state council by becoming an evaluator; and the knowledge that your professional peers have validated your commitment to, and knowledge of, the field of equine assisted activities.
Q: What happens if I don't pass all of the exams?
A: PACTH understands that for many people, re-entering education and testing settings are very difficult and stressful. In order for PACTH to attest to your abilities and adherence to standards, there must be an evaluation process, but we try to help you reach your goals whenever possible.
For example, you attend Phase I at the Instructor level and do not successfully complete your riding demonstration. The evaluators will provide you with suggestions for improving your riding skills during the time between Phase I and Phase II and then when you register for Phase II, you notify the Executive Director that you would like to re-take the riding examination.
For example, you attend Phase II at the Instructor level and do not pass the practical examination on teaching for safety reasons (automatic failure). The evaluators will provide a written rationale include suggestions for practice. You can then return to the next Phase II as an auditor and re-test.
Q: Do I have to take all of the Phases in the same year?
A: We recognize that certification is a time commitment and not everyone can complete all three phases within one year. The magic number here is three. Once you complete Phase I, you must complete Phases II and III within the next three years. If you cannot complete Phase III within that timeframe, you will need to return and audit Phases I and II prior to applying for Phase III as the standards of knowledge in this profession are growing and changing so quickly.
Q: Do I have to re-test periodically to maintain my certification?
A: No, once you are certified, you will maintain your certification as long as you are an instructor member in good standing of the PACTH (current Individual Membership & Annual Instructor Fee) and submit documentation of your continuing education hours (25 hours every 5 years). By acquiring continuing education hours, you show that you are staying abreast of the changes in this field. The best way to be sure you have your continuing education hours is to audit Phases I and II!
Q: General information about the Instructor Training Program.
A: The Pennsylvania Council on Therapeutic Horsemanship offers an Instructor Training Course which incorporates three phases. Phases I and II are offered at Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA. Wilson offers the Council a lecture hall, audio/visual equipment, meals in a dining hall, a beautiful equestrian center and dormitory rooms all within walking distance of each other.
PHASE I is offered in May. The course is 4 ½ days, starting on Saturday and ending on Wednesday. Participants may chose which level they are interested in pursuing: Instructor in Training, Instructor, Master Instructor. Phase I provides the basics: overview of disabilities, analysis of the horse's movement and how it affects the rider, the ins and outs of administrating a program, and other helpful information.
Please note: participants interested in taking Phase I at the Instructor or Master Instructor level will be required to pass a riding test, which is a simple pattern ridden in the arena. The pattern will be available once a person is registered. If the participant is interested in the Instructor-in-Training level, no riding test is required, but before upgrading to Instructor, participant would be required to pass the riding test.
PHASE II is being offered in October. The course is 3 ½ days, starting on Saturday and ending on Tuesday. This Phase uses practical application of the information provided in Phase I. The emphasis is on setting goals/writing lesson plans, choosing horses to benefit particular riders, equipment uses and choices.
PHASE III is an on-site evaluation. Candidate must have maintained PACTH membership. The evaluation team will review record-keeping, lesson plans and progress notes and observe the instructor working with her/his riders. Passing Phase III results in becoming a Pennsylvania Qualified Instructor.
In order to maintain certification status, the instructor must complete and submit proof of 25 approved continuing education hours over the next five (5) years. Failure to complete 25 hours and/or submit information will result in being removed from the PA Qualified Instructor roster.