Future Trends
NARHA is constantly seeking to expand and improve its programs and membership, which it has done with astonishing success over the past 40 years. Today NARHA boasts thousands of members, hundreds of volunteers, the best standards in the industry and several different EAAT disciplines and certification levels. Still, NARHA continues to seek newer and better ways to practice and promote EAAT.
One of the greatest changes to happen recently at NARHA is the integration of NARHA and EFMHA, the Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association, which was founded in 1996 as a section of NARHA to specifically address the mental health aspects of EAAT (such as equine-facilitated learning). EFMHA has flourished in the past thirteen years and played a crucial role in illustrating the importance of equine-assisted therapy to the mental health field, and vice-versa, while working alongside NARHA. However, it has become increasingly apparent that the work of both NARHA and EFMHA are more closely intertwined than ever, so the two entities are beginning the exciting process of joining forces in the field of EAAT to create a more holistic and effective approach to equine-based therapy.
An exciting change -- and one that will set the future trends for NARHA -- was the appointment of Kay Green as NARHA's Chief Executive Officer. Green had served as NARHA's interim CEO since January 2010. Green's experience in fund raising development and strategic planning has positioned NARHA and its Board of Trustees to move ahead as a leader in the EAAT industry.
