Green Care: A Conceptual Framework - Frisk i naturen

Table 3.4: Examples of ‘natural’ dimensions in green care
n Sense of connectedness with nature, possibly fulfilling a spiritual
need
n View of nature as inherently peaceful and exerting a calming effect
n Sense of well-being through the belief that nature and fresh air are
inherently healthy
n ‘Fascination’ with nature i.e. being able to engage with it without
great effort
n Opportunity for nurturing plants and animals and the satisfaction and
fulfilment that ensues
n Protecting nature – fulfilment of the desire to protect the environment
from damage from pesticides and other chemicals
n Working together with nature in order to maintain or improve it
n Engagement with a dynamic system i.e. through changing seasons
and weather
n Being governed by the needs of the environment through the
need to plant or harvest at appropriate times – the environment as
demanding of labour
3.4 The therapist (or facilitator) in green care
The role of therapists in green care varies with the purpose of the therapy,
and the setting. This is well exemplified in equine assisted therapies. A
particularly specific example is hippotherapy, where the movement of the
horse and the patient-rider’s muscular response to it help people who have
suffered a stroke or have a neurological deficit to better regain muscular coordination
(see, for example, McGibbon et al, 2009). The therapist’s role is
to accomplish that safely and effectively.
A very different but equally specific therapist role is in equine
psychotherapy (see Karol, 2007). This need not involve mounting or
riding a horse, but has as its task the establishment and facilitation of
a relationship between the patient and the horse, which is the focus of
further therapy. Through this process, emotional difficulties will be directly
expressed (in how the patient relates to the horse), or apparent to the trained
therapist through the reactions of the horse. The therapist may allow this
to emerge naturally, or make interpretations to help the patient become
32 Green Care: A Conceptual Framework