Horticultural therapy

The garden therapy " includes the targeted use of nature to increase the mental and physical well-being of the people" and offers a holistic and cost-effective approach for various clients (children and adolescents, psychosomatic and psychiatric ill, geriatric or dementia changed men, rehabilitation with addicts etc. ) in treatment facilities but also outpatient an effective supplement or alternative to conventional therapeutic strategies. It plants and garden -related activities and experiences through out or further educated professionals are employed to exploit the manifold positive effects of nature therapy. Thus, inter alia, the development of sensory perception. promoted. In some Anglo-Saxon countries ( particularly in New Zealand, less so in England), the medical "Green Prescriptions " ( prescriptions of activities in the countryside) have found good spread, especially after empirical research could prove the positive psycho-physical effect. " Horticultural Therapy is ... a mixture of occupational and physical therapy, but in the social, physical and psychological factors are involved. "

Training

Training in garden therapy in the United States since 1973 with the completion of BS and since 1975 with the completion of M. S. offered at Kansas State University. For two years (2009) also online. In Germany, developments in Hückeswagen and Cologne are (Caritas " help gardens live ") and offered at the University of Rostock. In Switzerland: CAS in Horticultural Therapy - Horticultural Therapy at IUNR Institute of Environment and Natural Resources. In Austria there are courses at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Education in cooperation with the Danube University Krems, but also in the context of a community college.

Networking

With the establishment of IGGT and registration in the register of 2011 ( " International Society Horticultural Therapy " ), first steps are to coordinate development initiatives in the German language area. The founding institutions included, among others: College of Agricultural and World Pedagogy in Vienna, Austrian Horticultural Society ( ÖGG ), Horticultural Therapy ( GGuT ), Central Horticultural Association ( BMA ) and the diocesan Caritas Association for the Archdiocese of Cologne eV