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Therapeutic Gardening. Presented by. Lori Bowling. Horticulture Therapy. What is it? How can we use it? Where can we use it? What are some activities we can implement into our programs?. What is Horticulture Therapy?.
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Therapeutic Gardening Presented by Lori Bowling
Horticulture Therapy • What is it? • How can we use it? • Where can we use it? • What are some activities we can implement into our programs?
What is Horticulture Therapy? • The definition given in the book “Horticulture Therapy Methods” by Rebecca Haller and Christine Kramer is as follows: • Horticultural therapy is a professionally conducted client-centered treatment modality that utilizes horticulture activities to meet specific therapeutic or rehabilitative goals of its participants. The focus is to maximize social, cognitive, physical and/or psychological functioning and/or to enhance general health and wellness. • With this definition it takes on the role of a more complex idea that in order to perform the horticulture therapy you need to be not only a person well versed in the science of horticulture but also a person that is trained in an area of therapy such as a physical therapist, psychological therapist, etc.
Another definition of Horticulture Therapy: Horticulture therapy is the use of gardening and plant-related activities to promote physical, mental and/social well-being. With this definition we as agents can begin to see how this kind of program could be included into our program planning. Many of the activities we are already offering provide human benefits that include these types of outcomes. Raised bed with simple hoop house for year round gardening for those who have physical impairments.
How Can We Use It? • Horticulture therapy programs can be categorized into 3 types • Vocational - Affects the vocational outcomes of participants by improving their job skills and employment. • Therapy- Focus is on recovery from mental or physical illness or injury. • Social or Wellness-Improves general health and/or quality of life of particpants. Horticulture Therapy uses horticulture activities to facilitate change in program participants
We can use our gardening expertise to help design programs that will provide human benefits – including physical health, social health and relations, and mental health by offering a sense of well-being. • Many of us are already implementing these programs that have affects on these areas for our clientele without even realizing it.
Where Can We Use It? -Community Gardens -School Gardens-public, private and At-Risk Schools -Nursing Homes/Assisted Living Facilities -Rehabilitation Centers-Physical Rehabilitation, Drug Rehabilitation -Prison Facilities -Low Income Housing Facilites -After School Programs -Adult Daycares -Mental Health Facilities -Women’s Shelters These are just to name a few
Another key benefit of using horticulture as a means of therapy is that it is a meaningful, purposeful activity that is motivating, normal and tangible. Gardening is a process that allows the gardener to be part of something bigger, to connect with nature, with the community and life. Gardening is common to many people’s experience and family history. It also transcends barriers established by socioeconomic status, language ability and disabilities. It produces a product of value to others and enables the program participants to become the caregivers and the providers. A wheelchair accessible planter for gardening.
Horticulture Therapy Activities -Evergreen Wreaths -View Seed Catalogs and Choose Seeds for Garden -Aromatherapy –Using herbs -Flower Arranging -Plant Propagation -Garden Planning -Starting Seeds Indoors -Plant Cole Crops -Butterfly Gardening -Planting/Tending the Garden -Observing the Garden -Sensory Gardening -Container Gardening -Raised Bed Gardening -Composting There are so many more – and these are things we are already doing – the main thing is to track how it is impacting the lives of others through our evaluation tools.
Questions To Ask on Program Evaluations to Measure Program Success -What problems will be addressed by you being involved in this program? -What specific assistance would be helpful to you in implementing the new practices presented n this workshop/program? -Why did you participate in this program? -What goals have you set based on today’s program? -In what way was this program useful to you? -How do today’s program goals meet your needs? -How will you apply the skills you learned in this program? -What result/impact do you expect from participation in this program? -What was the result/impact of your participation?