Matthew J Wichrowski MSW HTR, Senior Horticultural Therapist, Clinical Assistant Professor, Rusk Rehabilitation NYU Langone Medical Center, engaged in horticultural therapy demonstration with school group at Jangheung International Integrative Medicine expo October, 2016 (Photo: Courtesy of Emily Shun, Hong Kong Association of Therapeutic Horticulture)
Horticultural therapy at Rusk Rehabilitation treats those with illness, injury, rehabilitative needs, including programs in pediatric, orthopedic, neuromuscular, stroke and head injury.
One of the nation’s first horticultural therapy programs began at Rusk Rehabilitation at NYU Langone Medical Center in the mid 1970s. Langone Medical Center serves individuals with a range of medical conditions, and works with Dr. Howard A. Rusk’s philosophy of treating the entire person, including emotional, psychological and social needs.
Horticultural Therapy (HT) at Rusk Rehabilitation treats those with illness, injury, rehabilitative needs, including programs in pediatric, orthopedic, neuromuscular, stroke and head injury. Horticultural activities are available to all patients who are interested, and family and friends of patients are often encouraged to participate. In some cases the family as a whole unit is the focus of the treatment.