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TRAINING AND EDUCATION |
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Instructor Training & Certification |
“Thank you for your teaching, your friendship and your patience. Going to school at High Hopes is helping to make me a better person.” --A High Hopes Instructor Training Course Graduate |
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The field of therapeutic riding offers rewarding career opportunities combining elements of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, education, psychology and child development with horsemanship teaching skills. Professional certification is required to teach therapeutic riding at an accredited center. PATH Int'l, the national certifying organization offers three levels of certification:
Internationally recognized, High Hopes is one of a handful of independent therapeutic riding centers throughout North America approved by PATH Int'l to offer instructor training at all three levels. Since 1996, High Hopes has trained over 170 students from throughout the United States and from 16 countries abroad. REGISTERED INSTRUCTOR There are two ways to study the basics for achieving PATH Int'l Registered Certification to become an instructor. Both require successful completion of the training course. Instructor Training Course (ITC) Attend and successfully complete a PATH Int'l Approved Training Course (ATC) on-site at a PATH Int'l-approved training center such as High Hopes. Prerequisites for the Approved Training Course include:
High Hopes offers the Instructor Training and Certification (ITC) course in two formats: as an eight-week full time, intensive program or as a four-month part time program.
High Hopes ITC start dates: January 4, 2012 August 28, 2012 The course is taught in two parts, with both lecture and practicum components. Students receive experience in teaching both one-on-one and in group lessons. Our course faculty includes more than 10 experienced teachers with backgrounds in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, master and advanced level instructing, expressive therapies, recreational therapy, nonprofit management and fund development. The diversity of our program participants and our therapy horses, combined with our skilled volunteers, provides a learning environment where student instructor trainees can advance their knowledge and skills, learning how to plan and implement safe, effective therapeutic riding lessons. Course Prerequisites:
Riding instruction and volunteer experience in a therapeutic riding program are strongly encouraged. For more information and an application for August 2012 please CLICK HERE Scholarships Scholarships in the form of credit of no more than 50% of tuition only are available for Instructor Training Course students. The application deadline is 45 days prior to the start of the program. CLICK HERE for a scholarship application. On-Site Workshop and Certification (OSWC) Complete a multi-step educational process consisting of two phases. In order to achieve Registered Instructor Status both Phase One and Phase Two must be completed successfully. Prerequisites for the Workshop and Certification Process include:
Phase One is self-paced and can be completed from home. Components include on-line courses and several exams including:.
Phase One is managed by the PATH Int'l office and requires a maximum six-month time frame for completion. Phase Two is the on-site teaching phase of the certification process. High Hopes is a PATH Int'l-approved training site.
High Hopes OSWC dates: July 5 – 8, 2012 December 8 – 11, 2012 For more information and an OSWC Phase Two application please CLICK HERE. In addition to these dates High Hopes offers "Certification on Demand" for first time participants who are unable to attend on either of the above dates, and for those who need to take the certification a second time ("recertification"). For more information and an OSWC Phase Two Certification on Demand application please CLICK HERE.
ADVANCED INSTRUCTOR This is the second level of certification. A PATH Int'l Advanced Level Certified Instructor is knowledgeable in horsemanship and understands disabilities and their relationship to therapeutic riding. This instructor is able to conduct safe, challenging and therapeutically effective lessons to individuals with disabilities. PATH Int'l Certified Instructors who wish to progress to the Advanced level must meet a specific set of criteria, and can be certified at the Advanced level through practical evaluations and written examinations at a PATH Int'l Advanced On-Site Certification CLICK HERE For Advanced Certification Registration. See below for for Advanced Prep workshop Advanced Instructor Certification High Hopes dates: May 29 – 31, 2012 Advanced Prep Workshop This 3-day workshop includes both lecture and role play opportunities to provide PATH In'tl Instructors with the knowledge and skills required at the advanced level. Participants will explore all aspects of the PATH Int'l Advanced Criteria. This workshop will include horse management, riding, horse assessment, evaluation of lessons, review of lesson planning, teaching techniques specific to disabilities as well as mounting and dismounting.For more information and an application please CLICK HERE High Hopes dates: Feb. 6-8, 2012
HOUSING Students in the ITC, OSWC or Advanced Certification must provide their own transportation and meals during the course. For student residence during all courses, a quiet and comfortable guesthouse is located at a private farm several miles from the High Hopes campus. This residence is not always available, in which case there are several area hotels and motels located nearby.
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36 Town Woods Road | Old Lyme, CT 06371 | 860.434.1974 | hhinfo@highhopestr.org
