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Amy Bruzzichesi MSW, HTR, N.C. Cooperative Extension

Amy Bruzzichesi MSW, HTRNC State Extension Therapeutic Horticulture Program Manager

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Therapeutic Horticulture

CC-BY-SA 4.0

Therapeutic Horticulture

Therapeutic Horticulture (TH) Therapeutic horticulture is a process that uses plants and plant-related activities through which participants strive to improve their well-being through active or passive involvement. In a therapeutic horticulture program, goals are not clinically defined and documented, but the leader has training in the use of horticulture as a medium for human well-being. This type of program may be found in a wide variety of healthcare, rehabilitative, and residential settings. TH is a dynamic intervention that uses gardening and nature-based activities to promote therapy and wellness for people with physical, emotional, developmental or mental disabilities through professionally-conducted activities or programs (definition adapted from the AHTA Definitions and Positions)

TH differs from a gardening group because the focus is on the people rather than only the plant tasks. It differs from Horticultural Therapy because anyone with therapeutic horticulture training can facilitate TH, where horticultural therapy requires extensive professional training and registration.

This website is designed to serve participants and their families, volunteers interested in supporting programs, students and interns seeking professional certification, as well as professionals and service providers interested in offering therapeutic horticulture opportunities.

Use the tabs to find information about the types of gardens, programs and professionals available as well as links to specific examples in North Carolina.

Information on research, accessibility, gardening, and health is available as well as opportunities to get connected via email, social media, and professional organizations.

Follow the home page for news, events, research updates, and more.

Join the community of therapeutic horticulture professionals, volunteers, and students in our online group. Request to join our discussion group.

Stay connected with NC State Extension Therapeutic Horticulture by following us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Support the Therapeutic Horticulture Program at NC State, including the expansion of this portal. Please note that the site says “Extension Gardener,” but all funds donated from this link are directed to the Therapeutic Horticulture program.

Please direct questions, feedback, or information on broken links to Amy Bruzzichesi, NC State Extension Therapeutic Horticulture Program Manager: afbruzzi@ncsu.edu

NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

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Therapeutic Horticulture

Campus Box 7602
NC State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7602

(919) 515-2811 therapeutic-hort.ces.ncsu.edu

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