Hello! My name is Emma Crawford and I am a Horticultural Therapist Practitioner and Recreation Therapist. During my Recreation practice, I was introduced to Horticultural Therapy and recognized that I could combine two of my passions - connecting with people and plants. I am a passionate gardener and I love working with people.

I believe that to nurture a plant is to nurture yourself, therefore the nature-based practice that is HT is an excellent host for growing and bettering oneself.

I am passionate about working with older adults living with Dementia. For eight years, I have been supporting older adults living in long-term care communities, independent living and in the community. I have many years of experience working in Memory Care and Complex Care, and am a strong believer in an empathetic, person-centered focus of care.

My background in Therapeutic Recreation has equipped me with strong interpersonal skills, program facilitation experience and providing skill-focused interventions. I have combined my experience working with older adults living with Dementia with my knowledge of plants and horticultural practices. HT provides opportunities to reminisce and share experiences, interact with the physical environment, stimulate the senses and create feelings of purpose and pride.

My goal is to promote wellness through horticultural practices, reconnecting with nature and fostering meaningful engagement. Whether it’s planting seedlings in the soil, or harvesting a ripe tomato, or soaking up some sunshine in a flower garden, engaging with nature has benefits for everyone.