“Horticultural therapy is a professionally conducted, client-centered treatment modality that utilizes horticulture activities to meet specific therapeutic or rehabilitative goals of participants.  The  focus is to maximize  social,  cognitive, physical and/or psychological functioning, and/or to enhance general health and wellness.”(Haller and Kramer)

HT has the potential to change lives, create healthier habits, strengthen social bonds, and increase outdoor physical activity.

Advantages:

  • Cognitive, emotional, and social benefits

  • Evidence-based therapy

  • Multidisciplinary practice

  • Broad appeal to very different age groups, skill levels, and diverse health issues

  • Flexibility, versatility, and ease of implementation as it can be offered in indoor or outdoor sites

  • Catalyst for positive changes in human growth and wellness

  • Tangible and meaningful activity

  • Nature offers many metaphors that increase clients’ understanding and acceptance of life’s cycles, healing, and recovery

Some definitions to help you understand what we do.

“Horticulture in the art and science of growing flowers, fruits, vegetables, trees, and shrubs resulting in the development of the minds and emotions of individuals, the enrichment and health of communities, and the integration of the garden in the breath of modern civilization.”(Dr. Diane Relf, Virginia Tech)

 

Plant-People Relationship: Researchers from many different areas study the effect that plants have on human well-being and improved quality of life. Research focuses on the psychological, sociological, physiological, economic, and environmental effects of plants on people.

 

Therapeutic Gardens are evidence-informed, evidence-designed, and user-centered. Each element in the garden exists to produce physiological, psychological, and social benefits during passive or active use of the garden. Users are patients, staff, and visitors.  These spaces can be designed to have hands-on gardening activities under the supervision and direction of a therapist. The design allows for inclusive and adaptive gardening.

 

Biophilia is “the innate emotional affiliation of human beings with other living organisms” (E.O. Wilson).