最新訓練課程：

上述証書課程均為香港園藝治療協會「園藝治療師註冊制度」認可課程。

*由嘉道理農場暨植物園主辦，香港園藝治療協會協辦之「園藝治療工作坊」將於五月八、九日舉行，邀請到台灣及韓國的園藝治療師及學者作演講嘉賓，並參觀嘉道理農場暨植物園新落成的園藝治療花園。
有興趣請參閱附件1 及2。

-- 五月八日工作坊將獲香港園藝治療協會認可園藝治療實習(專業活動)時數五小時。

*3月初，在澳門舉行園藝治療工作坊，詳情請click入

http://www.mec.edu.mo/zh-cn/newshow.aspx?id=4429f085-f0af-4951-ad9d-bdc10e46f2f9

內容包括：

詳細內容將於日後公布，有興趣者請留意詳情及踴躍參加！

最新訓練課程：

上述三項証書課程均為香港園藝治療協會「園藝治療師註冊制度」認可課程。

*園藝治療應用進階課程將於2010年3月22日開課，報名日期為1月18日至2月9日，課程參考網址 http://www.sce.hkbu.edu.hk/pgm/by_pgm/short/hlc2010.htm ，香港浸會大學持續教育學院，查詢電話：34115000，34115409，www.sce.hkbu.edu.hk，歡迎踴躍報讀！

*馬階紀念醫院安寧中心(台灣)園藝治療初、中級証書課程(26,27/11, 30/11-3/12)

今次的課程一共六整天，雖然時間比較長，但是不減學員的投入。初級証書課程共有二十三位參加者，而中級証書課程共有十七位參加者。中級課程學員必須完成兩份功課及考試合格。很高興他們能夠在四天內成功完成所有要求，並且獲得 ”Certificate of Achievement”。馬階紀念醫院安寧中心(http://www.mmh.org.tw/)為善終病人提供優質身心靈服務，並為家屬提供支援服務。中心設有地下花園和空中花園，學員更實地考察並撰寫報告，將原有設施改善成為一所療癒庭園(Therapeutic Landscape)。學員們更親自坐上輪椅和病床，了解花園的無障礙(Accessibility)程度。我對學員的認真投入態度十分感動，令我更加落力教導。現在學員也開始撰寫實習計劃書，希望在明年開始實習，推行園藝治療小組及項目，讓病人、家人及安寧中心的職員得到身心靈的好處，並且成為合格的園藝治療師。

*園藝治療專業註冊
香港園藝治療協會為進一步推廣發展園藝治療，現推出園藝治療專業註冊。本中心將提供協會認可的園藝治療証書課程，歡迎有興趣人士報讀。註冊詳情，請參閱：

*四川考察之旅

四川考察之旅---本會會長Connie，秘書長Cammy，及四川項目聯絡人Kenneth，聯同韓國園藝治療師金炯得先生及安濟晙先生於４月１２日至１７日一同前往四川考察。為了歡迎及多謝他們的支持和幫助，本會於１１日晚上舉行歡迎晚宴以表謝意。為了增進港韓彼此間園藝治療交流，亦於１８日舉行園藝治療研討會。以下是一些活動花絮：

歡迎晚宴

探訪德陽市黃許鎮初中學、湘川板房區、黃許敬老院、黃許鎮初中學 --- 與老師分享及簡介園藝治療

棉竹市劍南社工站﹙板房區﹚

中國科學院心理研究所、社會工作與園藝治療研討會、視察北川災區現場、永興板房區

龍溪 – 虹口國家級自然保護區管理局、園藝治療簡介及職員分享會、華西亞高山植物園參觀及交流

、慰問園內遇難職員家屬

★本會於３月２４日舉辦四川—園藝治療項目籌劃/分享會，當晚共有二十四人出席。由項目聯絡人Kenneth分享四川災民現況及園藝治療項目的可能性及未來展望。之後，大家一面品嘗茶點，一面交流，於９時半才依依不捨離去。

*活動剪影已更新 Gallery is updated

歡迎大家加入香港園藝治療協會 http://www.hkath.org/

Welcome to join Hong Kong Association of Therapeutic Horticulture http://www.hkath.org/

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1.A Way Forward –Horticultural Therapy at Hong Kong Flower Show

Fung Yuen Yee Connie
Horticultural Therapist Registered
Registered Social Worker
President Hong Kong Association of Therapeutic Horticulture

In Hong Kong, Horticultural Therapy is a new emerging profession. With three years’ development, horticultural therapy is now applying in various health care and social service settings. Service users include students, elderly, persons with physical & cognitive impairment and so on. Apart from therapeutic groups & projects, therapeutic landscape design is an area for development.

Hong Kong Flower Show is a popular event in Hong Kong each year. In 2008, it has been held from 14 – 24 March at Victoria Park. More than 200 organizations from 21 countries participated at the flowers and landscape display. There were over 548,000 visitors.

The theme of Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden display 2008 was “Horticultural Therapy”. To be the first and the only horticultural therapist registered with American Horticultural Therapy Association in Hong Kong, I actively participated in the project. We started from concept and finished with wonderful accomplishment.

	KFBG display -- "Horticultural Therapy"		Connie at KFBG display

Conceptual Framework
Horticultural therapy is client-centered and emphasizes participation. Therapeutic landscape is the hardware and therapeutic programs are software. Basically, participants can feel in the therapeutic landscape and participate in therapeutic programs. These are the “being” & “doing” parts of horticultural therapy.
Based on these concepts, the goals of the display were:

1. To demonstrate the essential elements of therapeutic landscape.
2. To demonstrate therapeutic programs for different targets.
3. To promote horticultural therapy.

Special characteristic of the display is interactive and experiential.

Therapeutic Landscape Design

The design is guided with the universal design principles. Accessibility is a key consideration. Features include accessible entrance, hard paving, handrail, signage, wheelchair accessible and gentle graded path.
There were four thematic areas for therapeutic landscape display: Sensory Walk, Meditation Corner, Horticultural Therapy Program Site, Raised Planters with Adaptive Tools.

1. Sensory Walk
Sensory Walk provided a wide range of plants and landscape. We can enjoy through the use of one’s senses and interaction with plants. It exhibits the positive relationship between people and plants. It is especially beneficial for those with visual impairment, dementia, cognitive impairment and depressive mood.
The Walk was designed in a meandering path with handrail. All plants can be reached in a seating position. Participants can touch, rub, smell and see.

The following is a list of plants for sensory stimulation.

Visual Helianthus annuus	Brassica oleracea, Helianthus annuus, Rhaphiolepis indica, Loropetalum chinense, Rhododendron pulchrum, Tropaeolum majus, Viola tricolor, Pelargonium hortorum, Antirrhinum majus, Calendula officinalis and…..
Touch Stachys byzantine	Asparagus densiflorus, Stachys byzantine, Senecio cineraria, Kalanchoe tomentosa baker, Artemisia schmidtiana “Nana”, Selaginella uncinata, Dichondra argentea, Pogostemon cablin and…...
Smell Osmanthus foagoans	Osmanthus foagoans, Lavendula spp., Michelia figo, Melissa officinalis, Mentha spicata, Thymus vulgaris, Rosemarinus officinalis and…...
Sound Pennisetum purpureum	Pennisetum purpureum, Rhapis excelsa, Disporum cantoniense, Cymbpogon citratus and …..
Taste Borage	Borago officinalis, Strawberry, Eggplants cloud nine, Tomato, Chives, Passiflora edulis sims, Lettuce and ……

2. Meditation Corner
Nature employs the mind without fatigue but tranquilizes it. One of the founders of modern landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmstead, supported that contact with nature is beneficial to psychological and physiological health. Gardens can benefit participants in the following areas:
- Sense of control: temporary escape, access to privacy.
- Social support: among participants, family, staff…
- Physical movement & exercise: mild exertion, physical rehabilitation.
- Natural distraction: plants, flowers, water, nature sounds, wildlife.
The essence of the design of the Meditation Corner includes simplicity, serenity and comfort. Features are trellis, benches, lawn and water feature. Cool color was adopted for calming effects. Lavendula spp. and Senecio cineraria were thematic vegetation.

	Sensory Walk		Meditation Corner		HT Program Site

3. Horticultural Therapy Program Site
Horticultural Therapy Program Site lets clients participate and experience horticultural therapy activities. It is the “doing” part of horticultural therapy. Facilities include an accessible environment, hard paving, firm and movable tables and chairs, shade areas, tool shed, vertical planters, containers, and water source. Horticultural therapeutic programs were demonstrated at the site during the Flower Show.
4. Raised Planters with Adaptive Tools
Most planting worked at ground level. However, it may be difficult for those disabled and elderly to bend and reach for ground level plantings. Raised planters, containers and vertical planters can solve these problems. Participants can sit or lean on raised planters to do planting in a comfortable position.

	Raised Planters		Planter for Wheelchair		Adaptive Tools

For persons with physical disabilities, they may also experience difficulties in using conventional full-size gardening tools. Horticultural therapist can facilitate their participation through task analysis and program modification. Adaptive tools may be another alternative to engage them in horticultural therapy activities. Characteristics of these tools are ergonomic design, light-weight, easy grip and non-slip handle, endurable and easy to identify.

In the display, we had two raised planters with different height, planter for wheelchair, vertical planters and containers. Special designed towels and cultivators were placed at the raised planters for visitors to try.

Demonstrations of Horticultural Therapeutic Activities

I conducted four sessions of horticultural therapeutic activities at the display.

1. HT groups for elementary school students

Target of one group was students and their parents. They made dried flower picture together. Another group was seed collection and to make seed packets.

	High School Students		Elementary School Students & Parents

1. HT groups for high school students

Two groups were implemented. One was to press flowers and to make pressed flower picture. Another group was scheduled to make plant arrangement.

1. HT groups for elderly

Totally, two sessions were conducted for elderly living in community and those living in elderly home respectively. For community-dwelling elderly, focus was on enhancing their quality of life. They made plant arrangement – succulent & herb.

	Plant Arrangement		Seed Sowing with Seed Card

For elderly living in residential home, we had two activities:

1. Cognitive training: seed sowing & transplanting lettuce seedling
2. Life education: coleus cutting & planting.

Volunteers

Volunteers played a significant role for the success of the display. They are responsible for introducing display features and promoting horticultural therapy. There were totally 32 volunteers recruited from previous horticultural therapy elementary certificate courses. Majority of them are professionals.
For this display, we had two training workshops, one on-site briefing session and an evaluation session.

A Way Forward--

It is very encouraging that the display got an award -- “Hong Kong Flower Show Grand Award For Design Excellence (Landscape Display)—Local”.

The display is a good step for the development of horticultural therapy in Hong Kong & China. There is still a long journey for horticultural therapy to flourish. But I believe:
“Things do not happen. Things are made to happen."John Kennedy

Reference
Candice A. Shoemaker et. al 2002, Interaction by design: bringing people and plants together for health and well-being: an international symposium. Iowa: Iowa State Press.

Clare Cooper Marcus & Marni Barnes 1999, Healing gardens: therapeutic benefits and garden design recommendations. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

David Kamp, Design considerations for the development of therapeutic gardens, Journal of therapeutic Horticulture Vol. VIII 1996 American Horticultural Therapy Association

Eugene A. Rothert, Maria Gabaldo & Maryellen D. King 2003, Health through horticulture: a guide for using the outdoor garden for therapeutic outcomes. Chicago: Chicago Botanic Gardens.

Fusayo Asano and Yoshisuke Miyake, A Universally Designed Garden for New Horticulture Education in Japan. Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture Vol XIII 2002 American Horticultural Therapy Association.

Joann Woy 1997, Accessible gardening: tips & techniques for seniors & the disabled. Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books.

Janeen R Adil 1994, Accessible gardening for people with physical disabilities: a guide to methods, tools and plants. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, Inc.

Mara Eckerling Guidelines for designing healing gardens, Journal of therapeutic Horticulture Vol. VIII 1996 American Horticultural Therapy Association

Martha R. DeHart & Joan R. Brown 2001, Horticultural Therapy: a guide for all seasons. Missouri: National Garden Clubs, Inc.

Scott C. Scarfone, Design of outdoor environments for wellness and the role of landscape architecture, Journal of therapeutic Horticulture Vol. VIII 1996 American Horticultural Therapy Association

Suzanne Gray Therapeutic Garden Design in Residential Care for Older Adults including Those with Dementia and Physical Frailities, Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture Vol. X 1999, American Horticultural Therapy association.

Hong Kong Flower Show 2008. Retrieved on 24 April 2008 from http://www.lcsd.gov.hk

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2.園藝治療發展在香港 – 我的反思(中文版)

My Reflection on development of Horticultural Therapy in Hong Kong (English version)

3. My Horticultural Therapy Journey

義工招募

Volunteers wanted

1.香港園藝治療協會於二零零八年一月四日正式成立，致力推廣園藝治療，各項工作正籌備當中，聯絡方法：
地址：荃灣沙咀道362號全發商業大廈25樓2516室
電話：3690-1621, 9352-1890 傳真：3690-1622
電郵：connieyyf@hkhtcentre.com
聯絡人：馮婉儀 (註冊園藝治療師) 協會會長
若想了解詳情，可瀏覽本網頁的 協會 icon

Hong Kong Association of Therapeutic Horticulture was officially established on 4 Jan 2008. It aims to promote the profession of Horticultural therapy.
To contact us:
Address: Rm 2516, 25/F, Fortune Commercial Building, No. 362 Sha Tsui Road,
Tsuen Wan, N.T., Hong Kong
Tel: 3690-1621 9352-1890 Fax: 3690-1622
Email: connieyyf@hkhtcentre.com
Contact: Fung Yuen Yee, Connie (HTR, RSW) President of HKATH