HT Programs

American Horticultural Therapy Association

• National advocate for HT programs• To advance the practice of horticulture as therapy

to improve human well-being • Founded in 1973, now with 900 members• Programs

– Voluntary professional registration program.– National employment project for persons with

disabilities– Develops university educational programs & sponsors

continuing education programs

AHTA (cont.)

• Programs (cont.)– Publishes reports and periodicals– Hosts an annual conference.

Friends of Horticultural Therapy

• An AHTA support organization founded in 1988.• Purpose: Promote horticultural therapy by:

– Providing public information about horticultural therapy and enabling gardening techniques.

– Supporting research and education to advance the profession of horticultural therapy.

– Helping develop horticultural therapy programs through financial and technical assistance.

American Society for Horticultural Science

• Horticultural Science promotes and encourages scientific research and education in horticulture within the United States and throughout the world

• Human Issues in Horticulture (HIH) Working Group – research and education programs in areas of

horticulture that interact with the social sciences, various forms of therapy development, & many more

Other Horticultural Organizations

• Canadian Horticulture Therapy Association

• Thrive (England)

• Plants for People (Germany)

University Programs

• Texas A&M Univ.

• Kansas State Univ.

• Washington State Univ.

• Virginia Tech Univ.

          

        

          

        

          

        

Texas A&M Programs

• Human Issues in Horticulture– Looks at plant/human interaction

• KinderGARDEN• Research Projects

– Nutrition and School Gardens– Brain Injury rehabilitation– Gardening and the elderly– Effects of School Gardening programs

Academic Programs

• Degrees offered at– Kansas State– Virginia Tech

• Degrees with Options– TAMU– Univ. of Rhode Island

Academic Programs (cont)

• Handful of Colleges offer HT classes– Texas A&M

• HORT335: Sociohorticulture

• HORT435: Urban Horticulture

– Temple– Tennessee Tech– University of Massachusetts

Healing Gardens

• Reduce BP, anxiety, pain

• Alzheimer’s Gardens– Carefully planned

• Make people feel safe

• One path

• Nontoxic plants

• Portland, Oregon– Rose Garden & Japanese Garden

Botanical Gardens

• Most states have a botanical garden

• Chicago Botanical Garden most famous (almost 2 million plants)– Denver too!– Enabling garden-make gardening accessible

and enjoyable. It’s barrier-free, and carefully designed to accommodate people with disabilities and older adults

Setting up your HT garden

• Pick plants that can grow in the climate– Pick a variety of plants

• Square or circular in shape

• Accessible to all (from kids to the elderly)– Allow for touching and smelling

• Enclosed or away from noise

Plants and People: Socio-Psychological Benefits

Long History of Plants and Human Emotions

• plants used as early as Neanderthal times for funerals

• cheer up people in the hospital

• traditional healing power of nature

• spring time

Plants and Positive Benefits

• behavior

• mind body relationship

• social interaction

• stimulation of senses

Behavior and Plants

• result of both “nature and nurture”

• experiencing positive, thinking positive

• keeping a schedule, watering etc.

• exercise

• responsibility

• reduction of stress

• improved self esteem and self worth

Mind Body Relationship

• scenes of nature reduce stress

• factor in healing, reduced hospital time

• increased vitality and general health

Social Interaction

• gardens provide forum for social activity

• other factors combine for better social experience

• better social support due to increased interaction

M. Benz Gallery of Floral Art

Stimulation of Senses

• break from routine and dull

• the “Nature Factor”

• relaxation and restoration

Intellectual Benefits

Individuals Benefited

• Sensory Impaired• Mentally Disabled• Psychiatric

Patients• Children• Recovering from

Substance Abuse

Senior Citizens

• Alzheimer Patients• Physically and/or

Mentally Impaired• Geriatric Patients• Nursing Home

Patients• Independent Senior

Citizens

Academic Mastery

• Basic Mathematic Skills

• Ability to Count and Dispense Money

• New Vocabulary Terms

• New Horticultural Concepts

• Better Communication Skills

Horticultural Skills

• Transplanting

• Soil Components

• Grafting

• Propagation

• Repotting

• Placement

• Nutrition

Sensory Stimulation

• Detail Perception• Vision – Flower

Arranging• Touch• Taste – Fruit and

Vegetable• Hearing• Smell - Ornamentals

Other Intellectual Benefits

• Vocational Training

• Aroused Curiosity

• Self-Mastery

• Peer Interaction

• Positive Work Habit Development

Particular Skills

• Intellectual Skills– Pot-sizing– Decision making– Transplant Planning– Evaluation of

People-Plant Interactions

• Perceptual Skills– Spacing– Centering– Uniformity– Gentle Handling

Specific Subject Areas

• Starting Plants• Ideal Soil• Beautification• Careers• Plant Parts• Understanding Plant

Environment

More Subject Areas

• Increased Creativity• Feeling of

Responsibility• Concentration • Control of Frustration• Landscaping• Improved Aesthetic

Appreciation

Mathematical Concepts

• Measurements– Liquid– Dry Weight

• Abstract Concepts

• Fractions• Ratio

• Clock Reading• Calendar Use• Money

– Making Change

– Determination of Cash Value for Plants

• Thermometer Reading

Language Arts Concepts

• Oral Directions and Comprehension

• Oral Expression (Reports)

• Increased Vocabulary• Understanding

Methodology• Research Skills

• Role Playing• Customer Interaction• Labeling• Games• Preparation of Ads• Group Work• Demonstration of

Knowledge