Horticultural Therapy programming at the Calgary Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Horticultural Therapy is the formalized discipline that uses horticultural and gardening activities to improve the social, spiritual, physical and emotional well-being of individuals who participate in it, helping in the healing process. It is often carried out in conjunction with recreation therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, rehabilitation, mental illness care, group home and detention mandates, as well as social work and medical care. More information on horticultural therapy in Canada can be found at the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association website.

The Calgary Zoo is pleased to be active in the promotion of horticultural therapy. We have run a 5-week certificate program twice since 2007, with many graduates of the program now actively employed in the field. We plan to run another certificate program starting in April 2012.

In early 2011 we ran a series of short courses on specific horticultural therapy topics taught by certificate program graduates. We plan to run this series again starting in January 2012.

Please see below for links to more information on our upcoming programs.