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
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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
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behavior
mind body relationship
social interaction
stimulation of senses
Behavior and Plants
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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
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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
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Vocational Training
Aroused Curiosity
Self-Mastery
Peer Interaction
Positive Work
Habit Development
Particular Skills
• Intellectual Skills
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Pot-sizing
Decision making
Transplant Planning
Evaluation of
People-Plant
Interactions
• Perceptual Skills
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Spacing
Centering
Uniformity
Gentle Handling
Specific Subject Areas
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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
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Role Playing
Customer Interaction
Labeling
Games
Preparation of Ads
Group Work
Demonstration of
Knowledge