5.2. PCSR 11-23-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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the certification process and more individuals attending NARHA's educational events. In 1993, Section memberships were introduced and the American Hippotherapy Association was established under NARHA. Individual Members of NARHA could become section members of AHA for an additional $20. Individual memberships in 1994 were 2,449 and operating center memberships, increasing slightly, were 516. Just as the 1990's ushered in new and exciting directions for NARHA, it signaled the beginning of the expansion of services and rights for individuals with disabilities. With the passing of the Americans With Disabilities Act, the board gave serious attention to updating NARHA's logo and name. The Public Relations committee, under the direction of Paula Hagen-Peterson, did the research and presented several logo and name ideas to the board. The new logo design was unanimously approved in 1992 but the board stalled on the name. It was generally felt that the word handicapped was no longer appropriate but the board was unwilling to give up NARHA's acronym and the name recognition the membership had worked so hard to achieve. The board decided to ask the members to vote at the 1992 NARHA Annual Meeting & Conference on which name they preferred: North American Riding for the Handicapped Association or North American Riding for Health Association. After discussion, the members voted 204 to 45 in favor of keeping this existing name. Without a doubt, the accomplishments of NARHA in its first 25 years are due to dedicated people who share a dream - to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities using the remarkable healing powers of the horse. Therefore, with more individuals getting involved, it is easy to sec that NARHA's future will be an exciting one. Note: Much of the information for this article was provided by Bliss Brown of Augusta, MI, and from an invaluable resource - "NARHA -It's First Decade"- written by Elmer G. Butt, MD. in 1981. •