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<br />the certific:J.tion process and more individuals attending NARHA's educatifmal events. In <br />1993, Section memberships were introduced and the American Hippotherapy Association <br />was established under NARHA Individual Members ofNARHA could become section <br />members of AHA for an additional $20. Individual memberships in 1994 were 2,449 and <br />operating center memberships. increasing slight!y, 'vvere 516. <br /> <br />Just as the 1990's ushered in new and excitinQ directions for NARHA, it signaled the <br />~ , <br />beginning of the expansion of services and rights for individuals with disabilities. With <br />the passing of the Americans With Disabilities Act, the board gave serious attention to <br />updating NARHA's logo and name. The Public Relations committee, under the direction <br />of Paula Hagen-Peterson, did the research and presented several logo and name ideas to <br />the board. The new logo design was unanimously approved in 1992 but the board stalled <br />on the name. <br /> <br />It was generally felt that the word handicapped was no longer appropriate but the board <br />was unwilling to give up NARHA's acronym and the name recognition the membership <br />had worked so hard to achieve. The board decided to ask the members to vote at the 1992 <br />NARHA Annual Meeting & Conference on which name they preferred: North American <br />Riding for the Handicapped Association or North American Riding for Health <br />Association. After discussion, the members voted 204 to 45 in favor of keeping this <br />existing name. <br /> <br />Without a doubt, the accomplishments of NARHA in its first 25 years are due to <br />dedicated people who share a dream - to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities <br />using the remarkable healing powers of the horse. Therefore, with more individuals <br />getting involved, it is easy to see that NARHA's future will be an exciting one. <br /> <br />Note: Much of the information/or this article was provided by Bliss Brown afAugusta, <br />IM1, and ji-OI71 an invaluable resource - "NARHA - It's First Decade" - written by Elmer G. <br />Butt, i'dD. in 1981. <br />