Ecotone Health
Horticultural Therapy Services of Tada Dalotto, HTR
To enhance personal and planetary health through people-plant mutualisms.
Meet your Horticultural Therapist
Tada Dalotto is a registered horticultural therapist (HTR), helping people enhance mental and physical health & well-being by guiding people into a deeper connection with plants & nature with his unique toolbelt of horticultural activities, meditation, breathwork, plant science teachings, botanical metaphors relatable to our human experience, and collaborations with health care teams. Read more about Tada Dalotto, HTR
What is Horticultural Therapy?
Horticultural therapy is a nature-based therapeutic modality that supports people's mental, physical, and social well-being through horticultural activities and connection with plants with a professionally-qualified practitioner.
There are numerous techniques, styles, and types of horticultural therapy practices that serve many client populations, so I'll include this broad definition from the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA): " Horticultural therapy is the participation in horticultural activities facilitated by a registered horticultural therapist to achieve specific goals within an established treatment, rehabilitation, or vocational plan. Horticultural therapy is an active process which occurs in the context of an established treatment plan where the process itself is considered the therapeutic activity rather than the end product." (2026)
It's important to note that horticultural therapy is closely-related to, but different and distinct from therapeutic horticulture, which the AHTA also offers professional credentials for (Therapeutic Horticultural Practitioner, THP) and defines: "Therapeutic horticulture is the participation in horticultural activities facilitated by a registered horticultural therapist or other professionals with training in the use of horticulture as a therapeutic modality to support program goals. Therapeutic horticulture is the process through which participants enhance their well-being through active or passive involvement in plant and plant-related activities." (2026)
While I practice mostly at a private therapeutic permaculture sanctuary in an idyllic setting on Hawai'i Island (Ecotone Sanctuary), horticultural therapy in general is practiced in many other settings including hospitals & medical centers, rehabilitation centers, vocational programs, botanical gardens, schools, residential facilities, correctional facilities, health & wellness retreat centers, farms, and parks.