HORTICULTURE IS THERAPYMike MaddoxHorticulture Educator, Rock Co. UW-ExtensionDirector of Education, Rotary Botanical Gardens
Horticulture
The art and science of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants
Benefits of Plants
Environmental Economic Social / personal wellness
Benefits of Plants: Wellness
Surgery Recovery Shorter post-operative stays Less use of potent drugs and better
attitudes Roger Ulrich. Texas A &M. Studies on nature and medical recovery
The Neese Memorial Rooftop Garden, Beloit Hospital
Benefits of Plants: Wellness
Lifestyle Recovery Attention fatigue restored Improved relationships and career coping
Cimprich, B. 1992. Attentional Fatigue Following Breast Cancer Surgery. Research in Nursing and Health 15, 199-207
Blackhawk Technical College, Janesville
University of Wisconsin- Rock County, Janesville
Boerner Botanical Gardens, Hales Corners
Benefits of Plants: Wellness
In laboratory research, visual exposure to settings with trees has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension.
Dr. Roger S. Ulrich Texas A&M University
Marathon County roadside views, Wisconsin
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Horticultural Therapy
Horticultural therapy (HT) is not only an emerging profession, it is a time-proven practice. The therapeutic benefits of peaceful garden environments have been understood since ancient times. In the 19th century, Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and considered to be the "Father of American Psychiatry," reported that garden settings held curative effects for people with mental illness.
Rehabilitative care of hospitalized war veterans in the 1940’s and 1950’s greatly expanded the practice of HT. Today, HT is recognized as a practical and viable treatment with wide-ranging benefits for people in therapeutic, vocational, and wellness programs. American Horticulture Therapy Association
Horticultural Therapy
The use of plants by a trained professional as a medically prescribed procedure through which certain clinically defined goals of a client may be met. American Horticultural Therapy Association http://www.ahta.org/
Active process
Therapeutic Horticulture
The process by which individuals may develop well-being using plants and horticulture
No professional training required! Active or passive process
Therapeutic Horticulture Plants and the
individual Measurable
physiological effects Heart rate Blood pressure Brain waves
Measurable psychological effects Stress Mood
Therapeutic Horticulture
Restorative Environments Recovery from mental fatigue Recovery from stress “Healing Gardens”
Therapeutic Horticulture
Viewing landscapes Hospital Dorm room Prison / jail Nursing home Office
Increase Tolerance to pain Attentiveness Reaction times
Decrease Hospital time Stress Violence Health complaints
Therapeutic Horticulture
Residential Gardens Creativity Relaxation Exercise Social interaction Personal satisfaction Peacefulness Leisure-time activity
Therapeutic Horticulture
Community Gardens Provide green space for neighborhood Opportunities for social interaction Improved quality of life Fresh, better tasting foods Enjoyment of nature
Therapeutic Horticulture
Children’s Gardens Improved self-esteem Stress reduction Improved nutrition Science education Environmental awareness
Therapeutic Horticulture
Nearby-by nature Increased
Property values Residential
neighborhood satisfaction
Life satisfaction Tourism Social interaction
Decreased Crime
Therapeutic Horticulture
Healing landscapes Found in treatment
settings A space to look out at A space for passive or
quasi-passive activities Can be used by
patients, visitors, and staff
Have therapeutic effects
Not for organized treatment
Therapeutic Horticulture
Healing landscape benefits Stress reduction Reduction of depression Improved quality of life Reduced pain Improved way-finding Reduced provider costs Increased patient mobility Higher patient satisfaction Increased staff job satisfaction
Rock Haven, Janesville
Therapeutic Horticulture
The process by which individuals may develop well-being using plants and horticulture
Active or passive process Benefits:
– Intellectual• Memory stimulation• Vocational skills
– Physical• Daily life skills• Sensory stimulation• Fine and gross motor
skills
– Emotional• Self worth• Nurturing
– Social• Sharing• Accepting
– Spiritual
IntellectualMemory stimulationAlph. CultivarsMeasure and layout bedsRead instruction
IntellectualVocational skillsTool usageWork ethicWorking in groupsWorking independentlyFollowing instructions
PhysicalSensory stimulation
Daily life skillsPhysical activityDietary
PhysicalFine and gross motor skillsTool usageCarrying produceWashing produceMowing and tilling
EmotionalSelf worthSelf esteemNurturingSuccess
SocialAcceptingSharingWorking together
Spiritual
Initial Program Ideas
Teach gardening to jail inmates MGV selected and hired to be garden
educators Nutrition education segment added later
In response to need to feed participants Utilize harvest in kitchen to offset meal
preparation costs County went to caterer that year; produce
not wanted by subcontractor
What Really Happened
Program evolved into reinforcing life-skills development taught in RECAP. Communication, following directions, team
work, responsibility, success, etc. Preparation for vocational placement.
Outside of green industry Diversionary activity for when released.
Reduce recidivism Produce donated to area food pantries
(80%) and other county institutions (20%)
ResultsYear # Produce Raised Distribution # Program Participants: Hours of Community Service
2006 9846 pounds totalo 5385 pounds misc.
produce donated to food pantries or utilized by county facilities
o 300+ pumpkins donated to youth fundraiser (Spotlight On Kids)
20 % to county institutions80 % to food pantries
47 Inmates o 27 Maleo 16 Femaleo 28 Whiteo 11 African Americano 1 American Indiano 3 Latino
797 hours of community service were provided by RECAP. Master Gardener Volunteer hours contributed 958 hours.
2007 7385 pounds misc. produce donated to food pantries or utilized by county facilities
o There was no pumpkin crop this season.
10% to county institutions90% to food pantries
54 Inmateso 47 Maleo 7 Femaleo 37 Whiteo 13 African Americano 4 Latino
1357 hours of community service were provided by RECAP. No hours were reported by MGVs though they were present again in 2007.
2008 4300 pounds misc. produce donated to food pantries or utilized by county facilities
(Inclement weather had a negative effect on the harvest this season)
5% to RECAP95% to food pantries
44 Inmateso 40 Maleo 4 femaleo 30 Whiteo 13 African Americano 1 American Indiano 1 Latino
744 hours of community service were provided by RECAP. In 2008, the Garden was adopted into the weekly RECAP schedule, Wednesdays, 1pm to 4pm.
Impact "Getting out of unit
and away from same four walls - keeps my mind occupied and not think of bad stuff." Steven.
“My wife and kids go to Echo [food pantry]. Even though I’m in here, I still feel like I’m providing for them.” Chip.
Impact
“I need to be a good role model for my kids… I like that the garden gives back to the community…” Chris.
“I already know how to rototill… it’s now learning how to work with others.” Gary.
Impact “… vegetable soup
really ain’t all that bad! I did not pick anything out of it and I ate it all. I would NEVER even try it had I been on the outside.” Tammy.
“There was noticeable improvement in attitude after the inmates ate the vegetable soup for lunch in the unit.” Lyle Yaun, RECAP Community Service Coordinator.
Impact “…before this, my
idea of cooking was going through the drive thru at McDonalds." John.
“…I never knew where food came from. When I get out, I want to go to culinary school at [the tech-college]." Ebert.
Impact
"I learned how to enjoy life's simple pleasures." Carlos.
“…I never had a garden before but would like to have one now that I know more.” Carl.
Therapeutic Horticulture and YOU!