Monarch School of New England recognized with therapeutic garden award

MSNE Therapeutic Gardens at High School/Vocational Center Campus; inset, Kathy Perry, MSNE Horticultural Therapist, and David Fontaine, MSNE Woodworking Teacher with AHTA Therapeutic Garden Design Award (Will Zimmermann photo; inset MSNE photo)

ROCHESTER - The gardens of the Monarch School of New England were recently recognized with the 2022 AHTA Therapeutic Garden Design Award.

The presentation was made during the American Horticultural Therapy Association's 2022 Annual Conference, held in Kansas City, Mo., last month.

The Monarch School of New England's Horticultural Therapy Program is currently the only program in New Hampshire that is overseen by a registered, active Horticultural Therapist.

Kathy Perry, occupational therapist and horticultural therapist, directs the program. "Horticultural therapy uses gardening to support goals and skill development for each student. The program can have a therapeutic focus, a rehabilitative focus, or a vocational focus," stated Perry. "Our students look forward to gardening, and they find the gardens to be a relaxing, calming environment."

"The Monarch School of New England is fortunate to have therapeutic gardens at both of our campuses," stated Executive Director Diane Bessey. "These gardens have been collaboratively designed by Rob Hoover, Landscape Architect of TF Moran, Inc., with input from staff, students and community members. We're honored to have this important, innovative program recognized by the American Horticultural Therapy Association." Established in 1973, the American Horticultural Therapy Association is the only national U.S. organization advocating for the development of the horticultural therapy profession and the practice of horticulture as therapy for human well-being. The organization supports the professional development, education, and expertise of horticultural therapy practitioners. Individuals and organizations located across the country and beyond are members.

About the Monarch School of New England: The Monarch School of New England is a nonprofit day school for students with significant disabilities between the ages of 5 and 22. Based in Rochester, the school works with students from across New Hampshire and southern Maine. The Monarch School of New England is recognized for excellence and innovation in providing academic, therapeutic, life skills and vocational programming. For more than 45 years, the school has supported students with special needs to reach their greatest potential. To learn more, visit: monarchschoolne.org