Elmwood Park Becomes World's First 'Certified Autism Center' Zoo

NORRISTOWN, PA -- Norristown's Elmwood Park Zoo has been named the first Certified Autism Center zoo in the world, they announced on Monday.

The certification demonstrates Elmwood's completion of a training and review process aimed at providing services for individuals on the autistic spectrum.

“We are extremely excited to be the first zoo to offer its guests on the spectrum services that are tailored to their needs," Al Zone, executive director and CEO of Elmwood Park Zoo, said in a statement. "We know that the interactions our guests have with our animals can be so rewarding; we thank the IBCCES for helping us to extend these same experiences to an underserved community, and there's no doubt that they will truly benefit from this inclusion."

The designation comes from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), a worldwide organization that works to certify programs and organizations serving those with autism and mental disorders.

Officials with IBCCES praised the work Elmwood had done in gaining the certification, and noted that individuals with autism and related issues can gain tremendous benefits from interacting with animals.

"We believe it’s important to ensure all guests can experience the world around them in a safe way,” Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman, said in a statement.

Specifically, certification requires extensive staff training and an audit of the zoo which worked to make it more friendly towards those with sensory needs.

Elmwood will now be listed as a Certified Autism Center on AutismMember.org.

Image via Janet Miner, Elmwood Park Zoo