Horticultural Therapy for Adults

In the mid-1970s, one of the nation’s first horticultural therapy programs began at NYU Langone’s Rusk Rehabilitation. Adults work with trained horticultural therapists on activities that can help rehabilitate physical, cognitive, social, and emotional functioning. By working with plants, you can gain a sense of personal accomplishment, productivity, self-reliance, and independence.

Learn more about our horticulture therapy programs at a variety of locations. For more information, contact Gwenn Fried at 212-598-6196. Rusk Rehabilitation horticultural therapists provide services for children at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone.

Horticulture Therapy at NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital

You can benefit from the relaxing nature of horticultural therapy as part of your treatment at Rusk Rehabilitation at NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital. Activities are designed to meet your individual rehabilitation goals. You can propagate plants, arrange flowers, and engage in nature craft projects, returning refreshed and renewed to continue your rehabilitation after a session.

Horticulture Therapy at Tisch Hospital

Patients work with plants, essential oils, fresh flowers, and other elements of nature while practicing the skills they learn in other therapies at Rusk Rehabilitation at Tisch Hospital.

Horticulture Therapy at Tisch Hospital Psychiatric Unit

The horticulture program is designed to assist patients in building social skills, decision making prowess, and confidence while at the psychiatric unit at Tisch Hospital. Patients have reported feeling a sense of empowerment and serenity after attending this horticultural therapy group.

Aphasia Horticulture Program

In collaboration with NYU Langone’s speech and language therapy team, Rusk Rehabilitation offers periodic horticulture programs to the Aphasia Community Group for patients who’ve lost the ability to speak.

Aging and Dementia Horticulture Program

The Aging and Dementia Horticulture Program is a hands-on, activity-based horticulture program offered to people living with dementia and their caregivers. This program’s facilitator was awarded “Dementia Care Provider of the Year—2012” by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Epilepsy Unit Horticultural Program

The horticultural program on Tisch Hospital’s epilepsy unit is in collaboration with our therapeutic recreation team. As you master new skills, you can increase your confidence and self-esteem.

Therapy Bunnies at NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital

Integrated into the horticulture program, people learn how to handle our resident rabbits at NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital. Petting and feeding these friendly bunnies can be enjoyable and stress reducing.