AAHEP - Association for Animals, Horticultural & Equine Practitioners

The Register recognises the importance of standards in education and training. These standards ensure that members of the public, service users, or clients are provided with services founded on professional ethics and standards that prioritise health and wellbeing, and that protect them from harm or injury.

In line with these standards, the Register currently invites applications from applicants who have:

• Successfully completed the Athena® Level 4 Equine Assisted Services Practitioner Diploma; or
• Successfully completed and can provide proof of qualification for non–Athena® training in Equine Assisted Services. These must be recognised, regulated qualifications at a minimum of Level 4 on the Ofqual (or regional UK equivalent) Regulated Qualifications Framework.
• Successfully completed and can provide proof of qualification for Animal Assisted Services or Horticultural Therapy. These must be recognised, regulated qualifications at a minimum of Level 4 on the Ofqual (or regional UK equivalent) Regulated Qualifications Framework.

The Register maintains a list of recognised qualifications, which is reviewed regularly. Potential applicants whose qualfications are not recognised are encouraged to enquire about the qualifications that they hold.

For all applications, proof of qualifications for other practices and therapies must be provided where practitioners seek to register the provision of these services (for example, Psychotherapy or Counselling). These must be recognised, regulated qualifications at a minimum of Level 4 on the Ofqual (or regional UK equivalent) Regulated Qualifications Framework, and supported by membership of appropriate accredited registers.

The Register is also open to applications where individual practitioners’ qualifications are not recognised. In these cases:

• The qualifications will need to be confirmed as suitable in standard and appropriateness. The Register’s approach is defined under the framework for Defining Education Standards, or;
• Where applicants cannot meet any of the above, the Register offers a Certificate of Proficiency option (see below).

Find out more about the courses recognised by the Register.

Certificate of Proficiency

The Register recognises that there may be competent practitioners whose equine-related qualifications do not meet the requirements of the Register, or who do not hold any such qualifications. In these cases, services may be delivered based on practices and skills acquired from other modalities, supported by appropriate (non-equine/animal or horticultural) qualifications.

To accommodate such practitioners, the Register offers a Certificate of Proficiency. This can be completed to demonstrate appropriate standards of professional skills and practice that comply with the conditions of Register membership. 

Please email us for more information on this approach: [email protected]