WEBINAR: Panel Discussion

Speaker Bios

Matthew Janson is a registered horticulture therapist and certified therapeutic recreation specialist. He received his certificate from the Horticulture Therapy Institute and holds a BS from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, with a degree in parks and recreation management-therapeutic recreation and exercise science. Matt has therapeutic experience working in behavioral health and with veterans in hospice, long term care, and physical rehabilitation on a range of therapeutic issues integrating both recreation therapy and therapeutic horticulture.

Gary Altman is a Licensed Counselor, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist, and Registered Horticultural Therapist. He is a Teaching Instructor in the Rutgers University Department of Plant Biology and Associate Director of the Horticultural Therapy program at School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. Gary is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Counselor Education and Supervision Track program in the Rutgers University Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions where he is researching evidenced-based practices for green industry vocational rehabilitation. Mr. Altman facilitates a green industry vocational skills training and supported employment program for individuals with disabilities on the Rutgers University Cook Campus in New Brunswick, NJ.

Hilda Krus is the Director of Horticultural Therapy with the Horticultural Society of New York. She oversees therapeutic horticulture programming at the Hort’s sites in over 50 Supportive Housing facilities, Centers for Older Adults, the organization‘s Education Center at Riverbank State Park, with the NYC Department of Probation and the NYC Administration for Children’s Services. Hilda trains and supervises Horticultural Therapy students as well as Interns from related fields. Hilda is a registered Horticultural Therapist (HTR) and Social Worker (MSW, University of Essen, Germany). She has served on the board of the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) and gives presentations at local, national and international HT conferences. Hilda teaches “Therapeutic Horticulture for Mental Health” at the NYBG. Hilda is a life long passionate gardener and her earliest memories take her back to her parents‘ garden.

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