Abbey Heimlich discovers the power of plants.

LSC’S ABBEY HEIMLICH DISCOVERS THE POWER OF PLANTS

August 10, 2011

Abbey Heimlich of Tamworth, N.H., will receive her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Services from Lyndon State College at the end of this summer after completing a unique internship with the St. Johnsbury Food Co-op and working at the St. Johnsbury Community Garden.

Although she majored in human services, Abbey wanted to find a suitable fit between her passion for gardening and her passion for helping others. “There are no ‘garden’ classes at Lyndon, but I was looking to find a good connection between my human services major and my love for gardening and being outdoors. Then I stumbled upon horticultural therapy,” Abbey says. She talked to Assistant Professor of Psychology and Human Services Meri Stiles about her passion for the outdoors, gardens, and working with people and Stiles helped her create this internship.

The therapeutic benefits of a garden have been understood for hundreds of years. In the 19th Century, Dr. Benjamin Rush found that gardens had a curing effect on patients with mental illnesses. Horticultural therapists help people to work, learn, and relax in the garden, and they specialize on making the most out of the garden in order to help people in every way possible.

A new member of the American Horticultural Therapy Association, Abbey covered a diverse range of topics at her demonstration and information table at the Co-op, ranging from the benefits of planting and sorting seeds to pressing flowers as a venue to discuss difficult emotions. In her last demonstration, Abbey gave out free aromatherapy sessions, which she says can be effective at calming, energizing, and focusing.

Abbey plans to stay in the horticultural field in the future. She hopes to attend a program in Colorado to become a certified horticultural therapist. “My goal for the future is to start a community garden in Lyndon, and share my experience with the rest of the town.”