Helping Nature Heal

Organic Gardening, Landscape Design
& Educational Services

. . . Restoring the Earth
Restoring the Soul . . .

Horticulture Therapy - benefiting all ages in Nova Scotia and beyond

"You are doing wonderful work. Had a visitor from your province, who mentioned the good work you are doing . . . Thanks for your great newsletters."

". . . What makes Horticultural Therapy unique is that it uses living material, requiring nurturing and care . . . The maturation and life cycle of plants provide plenty of horticulture tasks and related activities to stimulate thought, exercise the body and encourage an awareness of the living, external environment."

Mitchell Hewson
Canada's first practicing Registered Horticultural Therapist

Rosmarie Bradley of Helping Nature Heal takes a few moments out from the Harbour View Haven Garden Club Spring Sale to chat with avid club member and resident Charlotte Falkenham.

Click below: more outreach!

Second Story Women's Centre
Outdoor Classroom - elementary
Outdoor Classroom - high school

HVH tulips Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association describes Horticultural Therapy (HT) as a practice using plants and the natural world to improve the social, spiritual, physical and emotional wellbeing of individuals who participate in it.

The association has devised a means for professionals who practice Horticultural Therapy to voluntarily become registered. Registration is an active way of establishing credibility among other professions. HT is a professional discipline that is theory-based and universally adaptable.

The process is a long one, involving workshops, publication and volunteering. With volunteer work in HT, 6,000 hours are required. Volunteering in related area requires 10,000 hours or an agreed up combination of the two. See CHTA Voluntary Professional Registration for more information.

Harbour View Haven 2007 Accreditation Survey: applause for Garden Club:

"The enclosed garden has been significantly enhanced and a volunteer group was created to maintain it . . .

"The Garden Club Program has achieved positive outcomes for residents and staff in the home. There are artistic and visual benefits and the volunteers work with the residents in gardening activities. Vegetables are grown for resident use. . .

"Having the right people: The organization [Harbour View Haven] has adequate numbers of qualified staff, independent practitioners, and volunteers to provide quality services."

Lisa Craig, HVH activity director, notes in an e-mail to Rosmarie and Sue:

" Wanted to let you know that the surveyors were notably impressed with the Garden Club and the wonderful volunteer support to make this possible at HVH . . . Kudos to you both, once again. Indeed your project has been a tremendous success and I am very proud."

Helping Nature Heal brings HT to women's centre in Lunenburg: Engaging all five senses

Rosmarie Bradley relaxes at the Second Story Women's Center Horticultural Therapy library.

top of page