About
CANTER is accredited by PATH International, the national organization that sets the standards for therapeutic riding centers throughout the country. CANTER is one of only five Premier Accredited riding centers in the state of Arizona. This accreditation results from on-site inspections by PATH International in which our programs, instructors, horses, facilities, volunteers, and documentation are reviewed.
The Cochise Area Network of Therapeutic Equestrian Resources (CANTER) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that offers therapeutic riding. CANTER's vision is to serve all eligible individuals in Cochise County, using multiple instructors with diverse skills and training methods to safely and effectively meet the specific needs and requirements of its students.
CANTER was founded in 1993 to provide Equine Assisted Activities (EAA) to individuals with disabilities in the Cochise County area. When our program began, horses were brought to a temporary riding facility hosted by a volunteer. In 1998, 17 acres of bare land were donated to CANTER by a stroke patient who was a client of CANTER. Over the next four years, land was cleared, fenced, and a riding arena was established. Stables were erected for the horses; an office, tack room and classroom were added. In 2002, a manufactured home was placed on the property allowing a full time horse steward/caretaker to reside at the facility and care for the horses and grounds. Today, the facility is home to eight specially trained CANTER therapeutic riding horses.
