ABSTRACT
As one of the primary models used in horticultural therapy, vocational programs seek results that are related to employment. Career development, particularly for people with disabilities, is an avenue to successful integration and inclusion, and addresses a key component of overall human wellness that is recognized worldwide. Vocational horticultural therapy serves a wide array of participants, in settings as diverse as schools, prisons, rehabilitation centers, and community-based work programs. Outcomes of programs are equally varied, from the acquisition of prevocational skills and attitudes to supported employment, to independent employment in the horticulture job market. The types of training and skills offered in each of these vocational programs are described, along with characteristics of horticultural therapy that address the envisioned outcomes. Features of the facilities needed for vocational programming include space for production or horticulture services; they also vary by type of program. The roles of horticultural therapists are specified, along with examples of programs and descriptions of individuals who benefitted from vocational horticultural therapy.
