Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center (LHH) has a 141 year history of providing a continuum of health and social services to the San Francisco community. Established in 1866 as an almshouse, for many years the LHH residents cultivated their own fruit and vegetable crops and raised their own livestock. During the third generation hospital rebuild in the 1920’s, a large and functional greenhouse was included in the facilities. While it is unclear exactly when the sustenance farming subsided, it was in the mid-1970’s that Laguna Honda was gifted two ducks. These two ducks, Willie and Sally, were the beginnings of the farm animal therapy programming at Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center. Animal assisted therapy with the animals at the farm has been included in the residents’ recreational activities ever since.
In 1999, the citizens of San Francisco voted to rebuild the outdated facilities of Laguna Honda Hospital. Due in large part to Laguna Honda’s history of and commitment to innovative therapeutic programming, integration of farm and gardening activities were identified early on in the planning process as being essential program elements to be included in the redesign of the facilities. An expert healthcare design team supported by an exemplary landscape architect has developed plans for a new animal farm, greenhouse, raised beds and a fruit tree orchard.
In order to optimize the value and utility of these planned areas, the Environmental Health Division of San Francisco’s Department of Public Health put out an RFP for a contractor to create a comprehensive plan for the Laguna Honda Hospital Farm in support of the program. The comprehensive and feasible sustainability plan is intended to guide the development of the Laguna Honda Hospital Therapeutic Farm, Greenhouse and Orchard, detailing structural requirements, agricultural, horticultural, and animal husbandry practices and farm maintenance in an operational plan, and a therapeutic program plan.
A comprehensive approach guided by the innovative philosophies of the Laguna Honda replacement program will be used to create a healing, sustainable and fully integrated therapeutic horticulture and animal husbandry program for Laguna Honda Hospital residents, staff, visitors and neighbors at the new Laguna Honda Hospital facility. Furthermore, the plan seeks to create an urban model of a therapeutic horticultural and animal husbandry operations and programming unique to the diverse long term care and rehabilitation patients of Laguna Honda Hospital, and in support of the hospital’s mission to provide high quality, culturally competent rehabilitation and skilled public health services to San Franciscans residing at LHH.
The Laguna Honda Hospital Therapeutic Farm & Gardens Project (LHHTFGP) Comprehensive Plan will include Program Development Planning, Operational Planning, and Therapeutic Programming and Activities planning. The initial goals of the comprehensive plan are:
- 1. As part of the Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center's Replacement Program, develop detailed farm operations and therapeutic programming plans that will guide the creation and maintenance of a centrally located and extensive urban horticulture and animal husbandry program within the hospital.
2. Ensure that the newly developed program is properly planned, supported, and maintained through the creation of an Interdisciplinary Workgroup of institutional partners, LHH representatives, and community stakeholders that will guide and review the development of the program.
3. Ensure that the newly developed program will enhance the quality of life for residents, staff and the entire community, emphasizing the therapeutic value of the programs and their ability to improve resident outcomes.
With a well-designed Comprehensive Plan, the Therapeutic Farm & Gardens will maximize the effectiveness of active rehabilitation and treatment programs and provide a wealth of passive garden experiences that reduce stress, improve quality of life, and promote health and wellbeing for the community of Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center.