Newsletter

Current Riders

Total:       30

Children:   8+   

Adults:     13+

Certified Instructors: 3

Jan Foy  NARHA Registered Level Instructor 11/03

Ann Wilson

Shannon Bomar

August 29, 2007

For Immediate Release

Hoof Beats of Hope, Inc. Receives National Accreditation

DENVER, CO  -  Hoof Beats of Hope, Inc. of Puryear, Tennessee, recently became accredited under the Premier Accredited Center Program offered by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA).

NARHA requires that Premier Accredited Centers are re-visited every five years. By attaining Premier Accredited Center status through NARHA, the center has demonstrated that it is in accordance with the national standards for the therapeutic riding industry.

"By becoming a NARHA Premier Accredited Center, Hoof Beats of Hope, Inc. has demonstrated a commitment to the highest standards when introducing individuals with special needs to a variety of equestrian activities," said NARHA Executive Director, Marsha Temple. "NARHA Accreditation is a respected benchmark within the therapeutic riding industry. It demonstrates a commitment to safety and the highest professional standards."

To become a NARHA Premier Accredited Center, a member organization must successfully pass an on-site evaluation by a trained NARHA Site Visitor. Centers are evaluated according to several standards that cover a wide range of areas such as horse management, safety equipment, quality of instruction, facility operations, volunteerism and administrative practices. These standards were developed by the NARHA membership to assure that centers follow procedures that are basic to quality equine assisted therapy and activities. NARHA Accreditation helps assist the public in selecting quality centers that provide safe equestrian services.

The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association was formed in 1969 to promote equine assisted activities for individuals with special needs. At over 700 member centers, a total of 36,000 children and adults find a sense of independence through involvement with horses. For more information about NARHA visit www.narha.org or call 800-369-RIDE. For more information about Hoof Beats of Hope, Inc., contact Jan Foy, Executive Director at (731) 782-6141 or thefoys@wk.net.