ABOUT HORTICULTURE THERAPY
A Place to Learn, A Place to Heal, A Place to Grow

If you have ever felt the excitement the natural world can bring or felt the pride and accomplishment of growing your own flowers or vegetables, then you have a sense of what Horticulture Therapy is.

Horticulture 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. (Rebecca L. Haller and Christine L. Kramer eds., Horticultural Therapy Methods: Making Connections in Health Care, Human Service, and Community Programs (Haworth Press, 2006) p. 5)

The profession of Horticulture Therapy is fairly new although the principles have evolved over many centuries. The first records of the use of gardens as a therapeutic method come form ancient Egypt. It was believed that the soothing effects of nature would help the emotionally disturbed. In 600 BC, King Nebuchadnezzar II constructed the famed hanging gardens of Babylon to please his homesick wife, Amytis of Media.

However an accepted approach to the treatment of physical and mental illness did not begin until the late 1700’s in the United States.

1798 – Dr. Benjamin Rush, professor at the Institute of Medicine and Clinical Practice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, proclaims that farm work helps the mentally ill.

1806 – Patients with mental disabilities are encouraged to take part in agricultural and horticultural activities by hospitals in Spain.

1817 – The Friends Hospital in Philadelphia Pennsylvania creates a passive form of therapy in their park-like landscape.

1845 – The American Journal of Insanity publishes an article by Dr. Thomas Kirkbride explaining that the mentally ill can benefit from exercise and diversion.

1896 – The Children’s Aid Society shows the benefits for disadvantaged children of growing flowers.

1899 – Mentally handicapped children are exposed to gardens as a way to enhance learning.

1917 – Bloomingdale Hospital in White Plains, New York creates an educational opportunity in horticulture.

1936 – The Association of Occupational Therapists in England validates the use of horticulture in the treatment of physical and psychiatric disorders.

1942 – Milwaukee Downer College offers a course in Horticulture within an occupational therapy program.

1945 – WWII

1951 – Alice Burlingame, a psychiatric social worker at the State Hospital in Pontiac Michigan starts a Horticulture Therapy program in the geriatric ward of the hospital.

1953 – Louis Lipp of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University develops a Horticulture Therapy program at a nearby veteran’s hospital.

1959 – The New York University Medical Center moves horticulture therapists into the treatment team of doctors and psychologists.

1960 – Therapy Through Horticulture by Dr. Donald Watson and Alice Burlingame is published.

1972 – The Menninger Foundation develops a cooperative educational agreement between its activity therapy department and the Horticulture Department of Kansas State University.

1973 – Clemson University establishes a graduate degree program in Horticulture Therapy.

1973 – The National Council for Therapy and Rehabilitation through Horticulture (NCTRH) is established in Upper Marlboro Maryland.

1978 – The Society for Horticulture Therapy and Rural Training (later known as Horticulture Therapy) is established.

1988 – NCTRH changes its name to American Horticulture Therapy Association.

2008 - The Partnership for Children in Nature was established by Governor Martin O'Malley

2010 – First Lady Michelle Obama starts a Community Garden at the White House.

Still have questions about what exactly Horticulture Therapy is? Click on the links below for more information!