Center Membership Evolution

• “I have a strong interest in equine assisted activities, but have little experience. I am interested in starting my own therapeutic riding center.”

Begin center development

Time to open!

Elevate your center

Increase your distinction

Key Motto: Do Some Research. You have an exciting and steep learning curve ahead of you.  NARHA has many educational materials that can help guide you!

At this stage:

·     Become a NARHA Individual Member and, depending on your special interest, join one of NARHA’s Section or Special Interest membership Categories.

·     Order educational materials from NARHA including NARHA’s Start-Up Packet. Other resources that might be helpful to you include references on starting and operating a small business

·     Visit established NARHA Centers. Often people in the field can offer valuable insight not found in any book. Networking with existing NARHA Centers will vastly reduce the time spent reinventing the wheel for your own center

·     Volunteer at an established NARHA Center

·     Get to know your NARHA Region Representative

·     Attend the NARHA Annual Conference or a NARHA Regional Conference

• “I have researched starting a therapeutic riding center and know I am ready to start a center of my own.”

Key Motto: Begin center development. Don’t even consider putting any participants near an equine until you have done the following:

Start to implement many of the ideas contained in this Start-Up Packet

Begin fundraising for your center

Create a business plan and develop a budget. You can contact your state representative’s office or the IRS for information on starting a non-profit business.

Purchase the NARHA Standards & Accreditation Manual and familiarize yourself with NARHA’s exacting safety standards and membership requirements

Secure a site for your center which should include a safely fenced arena located in a area with minimum distractions

Begin the process of certification for at least one therapeutic riding instructor.  

Acquire appropriate insurance coverage prior to training volunteers and staff, working with equines or offering lessons

Obtain healthy, sound equines

Recruit reliable staff and volunteers

Identify and attract suitable participants with disabilities

Organize and implement a pilot program. Gather a small group of individuals to organize the pilot program. This group should have valuable, individual skills and expertise that will accomplish a common purpose – to provide a safe setting and high-quality therapeutic equine activities

Attend the NARHA Annual Conference or a NARHA Regional Conference

• “I have organized my therapeutic riding center and am ready to get going.”

Key Motto: Time to open! Become part of the NARHA action and gain access to the support, promotion and education offered through NARHA.

At this stage:

Join NARHA as a Center Member*. You are now required to meet all of NARHA’s membership requirements and follow all of NARHA’s safety standards.  (All centers must have either a NARHA Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor or an Instructor in Training (IT) PRIOR to joining NARHA as a Center Member.)

Begin the certification process for all remaining instructors at your center.  (All centers must have at least one certified instructor by the end of their first year of membership.)

Advertise your center’s services and increase fundraising within your community

Grow your participant base

Attend the NARHA Annual Conference or a NARHA Regional Conference

* Your center must have at least one NARHA Certified Instructor or a NARHA Instructor in Training prior to joining.

• “Our center has been in operation for at least year and all seems to be going well.”

Key Motto: Elevate Your Center. Become the best at what you do by refining and improving your center’s site and services.

At this stage:

Offer ongoing training to volunteers and staff members
Expand your fundraising and advertising efforts

Attract more participants

Attend a NARHA Center Accreditation Training Course either in person, at a NARHA Conference or via the electronic NARHA Campus

Apply to become a NARHA Premier Accredited Center

Prepare your center for a site visit

Certify more therapeutic riding instructors and explore higher levels of instructor certification

Attend the NARHA Annual Conference or a NARHA Regional Conference

Note: After the three years of NARHA Center Membership, a choice must be made whether to participate in the accreditation process or become and Affiliate Center Member.

NARHA HOME

• “Our center is now a NARHA Premier Accredited Center and we have many participants and a growing budget.”

Key Motto: Increase Your Distinction. Enhance your facility, secure long term funding and pass on what you have learned to others.

At this stage:

Keep building the dream by improving your facility and establishing financial security

Consider hosting NARHA On site Certification Workshop or becoming a NARHA Approved Training Site

Participate in your National Association by becoming a NARHA Committee Member

Send staff and volunteers to the NARHA Annual Conference or a NARHA Regional Conference for continuing education

Continually reevaluate your services to ensure the best possible services for your participant