Mission:
To educate and promote excellence in the field of Equine Assisted Therapy.
Vision:
AHA is recognized as part of the international community that provides education, facilitates research and promotes Equine Assisted Therapy as an effective treatment strategy that improves the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.
Core Values:
| Integrity: | Commitment to the highest standards of personal, ethical and professional behavior. |
|---|---|
| Accountability: | Commitment to good stewardship, transparency, and fiduciary responsibility. |
| Accessibility: | Promoting optimal availability of programs and resources. |
| Innovation: | Promoting research and evidence based treatment strategies. |
| Excellence: | Promoting the highest caliber of programs and resources. |
| Collaboration: | Networking and partnering with organizations with similar missions and values. |
Philosophy:
We believe that:
- The organized movement of the horse is an effective treatment strategy used to improve function in patients with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction.
- A licensed physical therapist, occupational therapist or speech-language pathologist with specialized training in the principles of hippotherapy and horsemanship is responsible for directing the treatment team during a session using hippotherapy as a treatment strategy.
- A hippotherapy session requires a carefully trained team consisting of: patient, therapist, horse expert, horse and sidewalkers.
- Equine Assisted Therapy, used by a medical professional, is part of a comprehensive treatment plan that integrates gains into functional activities.
- Horses used in Equine Assisted Therapy should have quality of movement, appropriate temperament and ongoing specialized training. All horses should be treated humanely at all times.
- Clinicians providing Equine Assisted Therapy are to maintain a high level of professional competence by participation in related continuing education activities. They must follow the standards of practice and code of ethics for their discipline.
- More research should be done to continue to validate the efficacy and effectiveness of hippotherapy and other Equine Assisted Therapies.