North Florida gardener teaches veterans how to grow roses as therapy
It s called horticulture therapy. Rose Garden Angels, a nonprofit, has been using this method for six years to help veterans with PTSD and trauma. Author: Leah Shields Updated: 12:37 PM EST March 4, 2021
JACKSONVILLE, Fla Stop and smell the roses. The Rose Garden Angels want veterans to learn how to plant them, too.
The founder of the nonprofit, Pam Greenewald, says growing roses can teach people stress-management techniques, emotional balance and help their well-being through working with nature.
“It wasn’t actually growing the roses, the roses actually grew me, says Tayden Haile, a Navy veteran who was the first veteran to join the program six years ago. He still grows roses today.