USU Equine Experience Earns Accredited Center Status

Utah State University’s Equine Experience program has achieved a distinction 5 years in the making: designation as a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) Premier Accredited Center.

This recognition places USU’s among an elite group of equine-assisted service programs nationwide that meet the highest standards for safety, equine welfare and professionalism. USU is now one of only 18 programs in the Intermountain West to hold this accreditation and the second in Utah to earn and maintain its status.

Raising the Bar of Services

Premier Accreditation from PATH Intl. is recognized as the gold standard in equine-assisted services. For participants, families, community partners, health care providers and stakeholders, the designation communicates commitment to best practices in safety, professionalism, equine care and program operations.

“Achieving PAC status elevates our visibility and credibility in a way that opens doors,” said Makenna Pahlke, Cache County equine-assisted services Extension assistant professor. “It signals that USU is committed to evidence-informed, high-quality programming and that our operations meet the same standards as the top equine-assisted service centers in the country.”

This accreditation strengthens USU’s competitiveness for grants and external funding, expanding the program's capacity to further its mission.

Real-World Impact

One example of how PAC status will make a difference is through The Valor Detachment, a mounted drill team for veterans and active-duty service members that raises awareness for military mental health and suicide prevention. Many Valor Detachment participants lease horses from USU’s Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, paying roughly $700 per season. With PAC status, the program can now apply for funding through PATH Intl. and the Wounded Warrior Project to cover these fees

“This makes the team far more accessible,” Pahlke said. “It allows more veterans to participate, increases our presence at events, and strengthens our mission to support mental health awareness and promote suicide prevention.”

The 5-Year Journey

While USU Equine Experience already operated with strong programming and equine welfare practices, accreditation required extensive alignment between university procedures and PATH Intl. practices typically suited to independent nonprofit organizations. Equine program facilities at the USU Animal Science Farm in Wellsville and affiliated with the USU Botanical Center in Kaysville were updated to meet Americans with Disabilities Act expectations, equine welfare benchmarks and public access requirements.

“It wasn’t the hands-on work that challenged us, it was the administrative and structural alignment,” Pahlke said. “But the process ultimately made our program stronger, safer and more sustainable.”

New Opportunities

With PAC status, USU Equine Experience now qualifies for various PATH Intl. grants and scholarships, including:

• Conference scholarships for students and instructors.
• Participant subsidy funds.
• Instructor grants for Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and other certifications.
• Professional development funding.

These opportunities reduce financial barriers and expand opportunities for USU students pursuing careers in equine-assisted services.

USU to Host PATH Intl. Region 10 Conference

USU will host the PATH Intl. Region Conference in August, serving practitioners from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. The event brings together instructors, volunteers, students and professionals for workshops and continuing education events.

As the only university in the nation with full-time Extension appointments dedicated to equine-assisted services, USU is positioned to serve as a regional hub for development, outreach and engagement.

USU Equine Experience is a USU Extension program. Its mission is educational and community-based. CEAS programs are recreational and educational in nature. CEAS provides only facility and equine services. Participants seeking clinical services should contact the practitioner directly.