The Calgary Flames stopped by the Alberta Children’s Hospital on December 22 to visit inpatients and families.  Fortunately, they were able to participate in the inpatient Horticultural Therapy program that afternoon.  Our activity for that day involved creating some beautiful Christmas flower arrangements using fresh cut flowers, terra cotta pots, and floral Oasis.  The children really enjoy creating flower arrangement and the Oasis make it easier to arrange the flowers.  Trimming the stems and inserting the stems into the Oasis encourages fine-motor skill development and working in a group helps develop social skills for children that, in some instances, aren’t used to socializing with their peers.  Creativity is also encouraged – we use special terra cotta markers, paint, stickers, paper and Mod Podge to decorate the pots.  On December 22, however, most of the children had their pots decorated by the Calgary Flames – with signatures, well wishes and players’ numbers decorating their Christmas centrepieces.

It was a real thrill for the children to have the Flames stop by the HT program that afternoon.  The players were terrific with the kids and EVERYONE left feeling just a little bit better than when they arrived…

Becky Feasby
Horticultural Therapist
Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary AB