Dates and locations announced for the 2012 Fundamentals Of Horticultural Therapy classes
Perkins School
for the Blind
Watertown, MA
October 11-14, 2012
Anchor Center
for Blind Children
Denver, Colorado
November 1-4, 2012
Elkus Ranch
Half Moon Bay, California
November 15-18, 2012
More about Fundamentals of Horticultural Therapy
Learn how to combine a passion for gardening and helping people through the innovative field of horticultural therapy. Join students from across the country to learn more by enrolling in the first class in the certificate program, Fundamentals of Horticultural Therapy this fall in one of three locations. To complete a full certificate in HT plan to attend three additional classes. Each will be offered in Colorado and California in 2013.
About The Horticultural Therapy Institute
Linking People and Plants
As a small 501(c)3 non-profit organization, we focus our efforts and resources on education, reaching students from across the U.S. and internationally. We strive to help our students positively impact their own communities and the profession of HT. We have no physical office because all of our resources go into programming and allowing more flexibility to take these unique educational classes on the road. One of our goals is to expose students to many different facilities and programs across the country.
Our mission
"The Horticultural Therapy Institute provides education and training in horticultural therapy to those new to, or experienced with, the practice of using gardening and plants to improve the lives of others".
Our values
We operate the Institute with these in mind: integrity, customer service, community, improving lives, excellence, passion about HT, enthusiasm, and balance in life.
Our faculty
Rebecca L. Haller, HTM is the lead instructor for the Institute, responsible for the curriculum and each course offered. Additional faculty members are key to the content and success of our educational efforts. Each member of the faculty is an experienced leader with a personal passion for horticultural therapy. They represent the broad spectrum of approaches to horticultural therapy practice and have a strong professional level of understanding of Horticultural Therapy in its many settings.
The staff at the HT Institute has provided HT education in Colorado for over 16 years (nine years at the Institute and seven years before that at Denver Botanic Gardens). We are associated with Colorado State University, with courses that are offered for college credit that can lead to a certificate in HT or a Bachelor's degree (HT concentration).
As part of our coursework, we teach students how to design and manage landscapes that support and enable horticultural therapy programming. For example, students design gardens for nursing homes, schools, vocational training centers, prisons, etc. depending upon their interest and focus.
Who should consider classes with the HT Institute?
- Healthcare and human service professionals
- Educators
- Horticulturists who wish to provide human service
- Students exploring career options
- Career changers
Among our student base, we have trained many landscape architects, horticulturists, and master gardeners, as well as human service professionals. Some of them wish to change careers, some are looking for a meaningful outlet/vocation for their passion for plants and gardening, some wish to add an effective tool to their therapy programs, while others use the training to design effective gardens in health care and human service settings.
The curriculum is designed for working adults and their busy schedules. Our format allows students to travel from all over the U.S. as well as outside of the U.S. to attend the 4 and 5 day-intensive trainings. Assignments are completed both before and after class, and students have approximately one month after class to complete the work.
Many of our students wish to become registered in the field of HT, thus they will take all of our classes for academic credit. (Professional Registration is a credential offered through the American Horticultural Therapy Association and is voluntary.) Others use their certificate from HTI to successfully carry out HT programs and related work.
