Therapeutic Horticulture Internships

Serious gardeners and horticulturalists with an interest in improving the lives of others may pursue a new career in horticultural therapy in healthcare and human services with a focus on therapeutic horticulture.

Horticultural Therapy Internships at Botanical Gardens and Arboreta

Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL offers a limited number of American Horticultural Therapy Association accredited full-time six month internships in horticultural therapy from May 1 to October 30. Applications and interview are required at least 90 days in advance.

The Holden Arboretum, Kirtland, OH has a well established 6 month internship programme in horticultural therapy and Brooklyn Botanic Garden Brooklyn NY has offered internships in its community horticulture program, Brooklyn GreenBridge.

Horticulture Therapy Training at Botanical Gardens and Arboreta

The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY offers individual HT courses and the Certificate in Horticultural Therapy coordinated by Phyllis D’Amico, HTM (registered horticultural therapist with the American Horticultural Therapy Association).

VanDusen Botanical Gardens, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada offers the VanDusen Horticultural Therapy Certificate program led by Christine Pollard HTM. Volunteer roles in the gardens are also available.

Volunteering roles in therapeutic horticulture may be worked alongside formal training in horticultural therapy, as outreach and botanical garden education short courses and certificated study. Botanical gardens and arboreta offering training relevant to horticultural therapy (HT) practice in US and Canada, for over 10 years, include:

• Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland, OH
• Enid A. Haupt Glass Garden, New York, NY
• Fairchild Tropical Garden, Miami, FL
• Fernwood, Niles, MI
• Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chanhassen, MN
• Norfolk Botanical Garden, Norfolk, VA
• North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, NC
• Red Butte Gardens and Arboretum, Salt Lake City, UT
• Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
• Sherman Library and Gardens, Corona Del Mar, CA
• The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Morristown, NJ
• The Pittsburgh Civic Garden Center, Pittsburgh, PA

Horticultural Therapy Training and Internship at Denver Botanic Garden

Program Manager, Rebecca Haller, HTM, runs the Horticultural Therapy Certificate Program at Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver, CO. Fully accredited by the American Horticultural Therapy Association with a value of 1.5 points towards professional registration, Denver Botanic Garden Horticultural Therapy Certificate Program combines HT training with an internship at the botanical gardens. Applications are welcome from new students of horticultural therapy and human services and health professionals.

Employment Opportunities for a Career in Horticultural Therapy

Enthusiastic and committed individuals with a passion for plants and wanting to improve health with horticulture could make a career change or take on a second career as a horticultural therapist. Employment opportunities in horticultural therapy are on the climb. “Programming in horticultural therapy is growing daily, and is certain to continue doign so. The employment outlook is excellent” reports the American Horticultural Therapy Association.