Horticulture Therapy "Famous writer Germaine Greer said "A garden is the best alternative therapy."  The Chedoke Pain Management Centre agrees.  On Wednesday May 24, the Centre opened its new greenhouse for clients participating in horticulture therapy activities.........."  please see full article "Pain Management Centre clients grow a little relief" on page 3 of the Hamilton Health Sciences' Insider. "Horticulture Therapy (HT) uses plants and the natural world to improve the social, physical and emotional well-being of individuals who participate in it." (Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association) The Horticulture Therapist works with clients during functional activity, where the patients  have the opportunity to work through individual treatment goals, in a greenhouse setting and using raised beds outside.

Mary Clare, Occupational Therapy Assistant/Horticulture Therapist has developed the horticulture therapy program at the Chronic Pain Management Unit. She invited Mitchell Hewson, the first Registered Horticulture Therapist in Canada, to the official opening of the greenhouse. Mary Clare has taken a number of courses  under Mitchell Hewson, who runs the Homewood Horticulture Therapy program and under Christine Pollard at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario.