Industry Credentials + Memberships

Candid {formerly GuideStar}

CANDID {formerly GuideStar) encourages nonprofit organizations to share their progress and results in important new ways—moving way beyond simplistic financial ratios—to reflect the changes organizations are making in the world. If an organization is credentialed as PLATINUM, it means they demonstrate that the organization is focused on measuring progress and results; show improvement and results year over year; and provide donors with a level of transparency they are seeking when making long-term philanthropic decisions. Equuvation is proud to have received PLATINUM status for the last four years, and we are committed to continuing our efforts towards transparency and growth.

PATH INTL.

The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) promotes safety and optimal outcomes in equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals with disabilities; and is a global authority, resource and advocate for equine-assisted activities and therapies and the equines in this work that inspire and enrich the human spirit. Equuvation is home to three PATH Certified CTRIs and ESMHLs, and we collaborate with other PATH Certified individuals and Centers.

HERD Institute

The HERD Institute®️ provides exceptional training for Equine-Facilitated Practitioners that focuses on the philosophical, theoretical, and experiential process of incorporating equines into working with clients. The vision of HERD is to create a culturally competent and collaborative global community of certified practitioners who incorporate horses into mental health and educational spaces. Offering an intensive and comprehensive training program for clinicians, The HERD Institute is the only equine-facilitated training program in the United States offered with approval by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and the American Psychological Association (APA). Equuvation’s Clinical Director, Janice Kiley, LCSW, is completing her training with HERD in early 2024, and will be one of only a few Certified EFP Practitioners in North Carolina.

Natural Lifemanship

Since 1986, Natural Lifemanship—an approach to Equine Assisted Services based on the science of relationships—has helped people overcome trauma and toxic stress by teaching professionals how to help clients form healthy relationships, with the help of horses. Equuvation is home to two Clinicians and four Equine Specialists who are Certified in Natural Lifemanship.

HETI

The HETI Foundation {Horses in Education and Therapy International} aims to facilitate the worldwide collaboration between organizations and individuals whose objectives are philanthropic, scientific and educational in the field of equine assisted activities and therapies. Equuvation Inc. is a Member Center of The HETI Foundation.

Stable Moments

Stable Moments is a mentorship program curriculum utilizing equine assisted learning and community mentors to achieve life skills for children impacted by early developmental trauma. Equuvation is a Certified Stable Moments Center, providing services to children in the foster care system and foster-adoption families.

Horse Boy Method

Horse Boy Method—a New Trails Learning System Program— is the only equine intervention specifically designed for the nervous system and the brain. The brain child of autism Dad Rupert Isaacson, who stumbled upon an approach with his own son and a horse and then developed and refined this approach over a decade, Horse Boy Method is now used in about 30 countries worldwide and provides an effective program for cognitive, behavioral and even academic development in a way that feels joyful and easy, thus insuring buy-in from the client. It was further developed under the mentorship of adult autists such as Dr. Temple Grandin and neuro-scientists such as Dr. Robert Naviaux of UC San Diego, and is an easy to follow, science-based, well-researched Equine Assisted Intervention that achieves social, behavioral, and academic goals through repatterining the brain, and calming the nervous system through nature and movement with the help of an equine partner. Equuvation is home to one instructor who completed the Horse Boy Method training program.

Strides for Equality

BY JOINING STRIDES FOR EQUALITY, WE PROMISE TO:

• Promote a more inclusive culture within equestrian sports by listening to and addressing the concerns of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) within the equestrian community and educating our peers on how to be an effective ally

• Use love and understanding to guide our actions as we seek to promote diversity and understand the stories of BIPOC members

• Welcome all members of the equestrian community who share in the desire to improve diversity in the sport and create a more inclusive culture

• Approach all conversations with an open mind, conduct myself in a professional and polite manner, and remain a positive influence for change

• Be a vocal advocate for change within equestrian sports

  Sign up to join Strides for Equality Equestrians in their mission by CLICKING HERE!

The Compassionate Equestrian

Compassion becomes the foundation for all decisions that an equestrian makes with every choice for their horse, for all people involved in the equine community, as well as the global community. Through choosing compassion as the common ground for all decisions, equestrians can become a movement for creating a kinder, happier, healthier, more compassionate world. Equuvation approaches every situation with a belief towards compassion, and is dedicated to the Compassionate Pledge. Click here for the Principals of Compassionate Equitation [pdf] or learn more about The Compassionate Equestrian here.

Arenas for Change (ARCH)

Arenas for Change (ARCH), explores and applies concepts in facilitating learning and change through story. Applied in environments with horses, animals, and nature, as well as in the office and virtually, ARCH facilitation impacts lives in meaningful ways. Equine Specialists at Equuvation participate in ARCH trainings to adopt and explore facilitation tools in the SEEN™ program, designed to deepen and accelerate the personal development process, increase emotional safety for our clients and ourselves and to further enrich the work we are already doing on a daily basis through other modalities.

American Youth Horse Council (AYHC)

The vision of the American Youth Horse Council is to be a visible and connecting force in a vibrant and growing youth equine industry. AYHC strives to support the youth equine industry with factual and quality educational materials, and to engage all breeds and disciplines within the industry; and to illustrate the value of the human-horse experience. Equuvation is a member of AYHC, and is dedicated to developing impactful and thoughtful programs for youth.

Darkness to Light Partner in Prevention

A Partner in Prevention is an organization or business that has committed the time and effort to educate themselves on how to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Equuvation is proud to be a Partner in Prevention.

U.S. Center for Safesport

The U.S. Center for SafeSport is an independent nonprofit committed to building a sport community where participants can work and learn together free of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse and misconduct. In addition to investigations and advocacy, they provide training resources and best practices. The equestrian sports are included in the scope of their work. Equuvation has adopted SafeSport’s toolkit to guide our practices, and several members of our team have completed SafeSport trainings.

Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid provides training for the skills needed to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. Equuvation is home to three individuals who are certified in Mental Health First Aid, and we host trainings for the community as often as possible.

Medic First Aid — CPR, AED and First Aid

All members of the Equuvation team are CPR, AED and First Aid Certified through Medic First Aid and the American Health and Safety Institute. We also host trainings and certifications for the community as often as possible.