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A Member of the American Horticultural
Therapy Association
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WHAT IS HORTICULTURAL THERAPY?
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Horticulture therapy is an innovative
treatment method
conducted by a trained horticulture therapist
using plants
and plant-related activities to improve the social,
educational, psychological, and physical adjustment
of an individual to improve the body, mind and
spirit. It is a healing element used to help those
lives that have been disrupted by illness, injury,
trauma, social and economic problems, psychological
and developmental disorders, as well as the aging
process.
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HEALING THROUGH GARDENING
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Any
gardener will tell you what experts are now applying
in a professional context: gardening is therapeutic
for many people. Many medical professionals
advocate therapeutic horticulture as an effective
medium to rehabilitate or stabilize individuals
facing physical and mental challenges. Whether by
walking through a garden, watering, digging in the
soil, or watching a seed germinate, gardening rejuvenates
the soul.
Diverse populations including people with physical
disabilities, low-income and disadvantaged families,
children and adults who have suffered from abuse
and domestic violence, substance abusers, and public
offenders continue to benefit from therapeutic
horticulture. |
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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF
HORTICULTURAL THERAPY?
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Physical
Activity
Gardening provides a chance to work outdoors and
exercise many parts of the body and can be used
in mobility training for visually impaired people.
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Community
Building
A garden can bring together many
individuals who might otherwise be isolated from
one another, or help disabled people play an active
part
in their local community. |
Self
Worth
Helping and watching a plant grow
and preparing meals using fruits and vegetables
from the garden, can improve self-esteem and self-worth. |
Skill Building
Acquiring gardening skills can enhance one’s
ability to get a job, and through increased confidence,
enable one to take steps toward independence.
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Horticultural
therapy can enable people to gain literacy
and numerical skills in order to prepare
for future employment opportunities
and transition from a facility-type setting
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Developed and Hosted by:
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