Therapeutic Horticulture as a Recreational Therapy Intervention

*This course has been pre-approved by NCTRC for 5 clock hours.

This course provides an introduction into the use of horticulture as a therapeutic intervention. Participants will gain an understanding of the history of horticulture and medicine and how to incorporate horticulture into the 6 Domains of RT with specific goals to meet the needs of the client. Participants will learn about the benefits of horticulture, different therapeutic gardens and how to start a therapeutic horticulture program. At the completion of this course, participants will need to pass an exam with a minimum score of 70%. Participants must complete the course within 365 days of starting the course to receive a completion certificate.
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Course Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify 4 health benefits of engaging in horticulture-based activities.

  • Students will be able to identify 3 types of therapeutic gardens.

  • Students will be able to identify 3 ways to adapt gardening to meet the specific needs of their clients.

  • Students will be able to identify 2 goals associated with the RT domains.

Carolyn Breinich MA, CTRS/CCLS

Instructor Bio:

I earned my Bachelor Degree in Zoology from Ohio State University. While completing my degree I did an internship at the Dolphin Research Center, where I focused on animal assisted therapy utilizing Dolphins. I earned my Masters Degree in Recreational Therapy from The University of Toledo, so I could combine my love of animals with my desire to help people. I trained my dog, Velvet, to be a certified therapy dog. For ten years, we visited schools, nursing homes and hospitals. As a graduate student at The University of Toledo, I taught RT Intervention: Pet Assisted Therapy course. I became a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist in 2006, I became a Child-Life Specialist in 2009, and I worked in Long-Term Care, Adult and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Adult and Adolescent Psych and with Individuals with Disabilities.

Carolyn Breinich, MA, CTRS/CCLS

SMART Instructor