In response to a call from the membership of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) to elevate the professionalism of PATH Intl. credentials and to foster the legitimacy of the equine-assisted activities and therapies industry in general, PATH Intl. has pursued third-party accreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies of a certification that will replace its Registered Therapeutic Riding Certification.
The newly launched PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) credential is a voluntary credential for individuals in the equine-assisted activities and therapies profession who provide riding instruction and therapeutic value to people with disabilities and other challenges.
The association is pleased to recognize Marita Wassman, CTRI, ATRI, (Ride On St. Louis Director and Founder) for achieving the PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor credential at the entry and advanced level. Wassman first earned her certification in 2001 and her advanced certification in 2015. She is among the first to transition these certifications to the new credentialing process in 2019 by completing a series of measurements, testing and reporting through established criteria and standards of practice in the field. Wassman has demonstrated her knowledge of disabilities, equines, teaching and human-animal interactions.
Wassman is among 1,000 PATH Intl. Instructors worldwide to achieve the new credential through a pilot transition process and is 1 of just 4 Advanced Instructors in Missouri eligible for the advanced credentialing. Her and other's achievement in this transition is paving the way toward building recognition of the PATH Intl. CTRI credential. By completing the CTRI credential transition process, these instructors have demonstrated professional competency and preparedness to safeguard the public through the delivery of safe and knowledgeable delivery of therapeutic riding activities. For more information on the CTRI credential, visit the PATH Intl. website at www.pathintl.org.