Located just north of the City of Bellingham, WA, the NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center, a nonprofit riding program, established in 1993, provides equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) to people of all ages with a wide range of disabilities. The NWTRC is dedicated to enriching the physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being of our riders and their families in an environment which is safe, nurturing, challenging, and fun.
The NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center (NWTRC) is a non-profit PATH Intl.(Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International) center, located in Whatcom County, in Western Washington.
The center follows stringent PATH Intl. guidelines regarding its personnel, facilities, animals and paperwork. There is strict adherence to the highest national standards of safety of its riders.
Association with PATH Intl. bestows program legitimacy and credibility to the NWTRC. A PATH Intl. server provides discounted specialized insurance, as well as sets guidelines for the Center’s program. It does not, however, provide financial assistance. In fact, NWTRC pays over $1,000 to PATH Intl. to maintain its association.
The NWTRC was established in 1993 as a 501(c) (3) to provide equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) activities for mentally, physically and emotionally challenged children and adults in Whatcom County.
The NWTRC currently has the capacity to serve up to 50 riders per week. Participants include individuals with autism, spectrum disorders, Down Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, brain injuries, and learning/behavior disabilities. Riders have ranged in age from 2 to 74.
Each NWTRC participant receives an individually tailored lesson plan that gears their riding session toward achieving a specific therapeutic goal. Each session involves a certified riding instructor. For each individual, up to four volunteers may be needed to serve as horse leader, rider sidewalkers and assistants. Group lessons often require up to 12 volunteers per session.
Please visit website for pricing information.