A Veteran at a VA clinic stood in the middle of the hallway, stared out the window, and asked, "What do you see?"
Dr. Charles Moore, the target of the question, replied, "A swamp."
The Veteran said, "I see a perfect place for a garden for Veterans to grow food. It would be a good experience for the day program patients to cultivate the land, and those with low incomes could help and take food home."
The doctor took the Veteran's advice. In 2002, Veterans, staff and volunteers transformed the patch of muddy land into what is best described as a "Healing Garden." The energies of countless participants allowed the garden to flourish into a place of inspiration, relaxation and rehabilitation.
Dr. Moore is staff psychologist and former coordinator for the day treatment program at the VA Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics (SORCC) in White City, Oregon.
"Farming is pretty intensive, and I would say at least ten to twelve Veterans are actively involved in planting and watering at all times," Dr. Moore explained.
Gardening to Overcome Depression >>>>>



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