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People with Disabilities
and Veterans

People with Disabilities, and Veterans

We believe everyone should have access to nature regardless of abilities, because we are all interwoven with nature.

Forest Therapy has a flexible structure that made it easy for us to adapt for a wide range of disabilities. We partnered with Tri-Lakes Center for Independent Living and local people with functional differences, to learn how we can be more aware and in tune with a wider range of needs.

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

We have identified area trails that have a low enough grade to make a nature sensory walk an option for those who use a wheelchair, motorized or manual. We have looked for footing that is safe, free of rocks, roots or other potential obstacles. We have piloted Forest Therapy walks that cover less than a half mile in distance, and learned that distance does not have an impact from people’s experience.

More than anything, we create an atmosphere where it is safe and comfortable to share your experience and ask for the support or modifications you need at any time during your sensory forest walk.

“[The] kind of deep attention that we pay as children is something that I cherish, that I think we all can cherish and reclaim — because attention is the doorway to gratitude, the doorway to wonder, the doorway to reciprocity.”

Robin Wall Kimmerer

“Into the woods I went, to heal my body and seed my soul.”
Keith O.

Woman with disability listening to forest

If you have a functional difference or if you know someone with disabilities, and would like to experience the healing benefits of Forest Bathing, contact us.

We can, together, create both an experience and a learning opportunity that will be tailored to you, individually, and to your group.

We can also teach you how to take this nature wellness practice home, because nature’s healing benefits are for everyone. They include relief from stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure and heart rate, as well as better sleep. Using your senses while in nature also strengthens your immune system’s ability to fight infection and cancer.

You don’t have to live in the country. A neighborhood park, your backyard or a communal garden, even the balcony of your apartment provide many opportunities to engage with nature through your senses.

Blind Woman Adirondack Forest Bathing
Person in wheelchair Adirondack Forest Bathing

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

We have identified area trails that have a low enough grade to make a nature sensory walk an option for those who use a wheelchair, motorized or manual. We have looked for footing that is safe, free of rocks, roots or other potential obstacles. We have piloted Forest Therapy walks that cover less than a half mile in distance, and learned that distance does not have an impact from people’s experience.

More than anything, we create an atmosphere where it is safe and comfortable to share your experience and ask for the support or modifications you need at any time during your sensory forest walk.

Woman with disability listening to forest
If you have a functional difference or if you know someone with disabilities, and would like to experience the healing benefits of Forest Bathing, contact us.

We can, together, create both an experience and a learning opportunity that will be tailored to you, individually, and to your group.

Blind Woman Adirondack Forest Bathing
We can also teach you how to take this nature wellness practice home, because nature’s healing benefits are for everyone. They include relief from stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure and heart rate, as well as better sleep. Using your senses while in nature also strengthens your immune system’s ability to fight infection and cancer.

You don’t have to live in the country. A neighborhood park, your backyard or a communal garden, even the balcony of your apartment provide many opportunities to engage with nature through your senses.

“[The] kind of deep attention that we pay as children is something that I cherish, that I think we all can cherish and reclaim — because attention is the doorway to gratitude, the doorway to wonder, the doorway to reciprocity.”

Robin Wall Kimmerer

“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to relate to it with love and respect.”

Aldo Leopold

We partner with Adirondack Homeward Bound to bring the healing benefits of nature sensory practice to veterans through their retreat programs.

FOREST THERAPY FOR VETERANS

We also welcome the opportunity to introduce you or your group of veterans to nature sensory walks. Beyond the many health benefits identified through several decades of research studies, we have found for ourselves that time spent in nature helps to break the sense of isolation and reduces the anxiety that comes with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Using our senses while engaging with nature is a powerful tool to help you anchor yourself in the here and now, to avoid and even deescalate from the physiological and mental high alert state of being triggered.
“I used to find peace in the woods, hunting. My PTSD put a stop to that for over five years. On my first Forest Bathing walk, I got that feeling back for a couple of minutes. The second time, I got that feeling several times, and for longer. I thought that comfort was gone forever but a new door has opened. I will be doing Forest Bathing near my home.”
M.R.

Health Benefits

Why Forest Bathing in Five

More than 30 years of research studies into the health benefits of Forest Bathing have identified the following:

 

  1. Reduces stress and anxiety as measured by lower levels of the stress hormone Cortisol
  2. Lowers blood pressure and heart rate
  3. Improves heart rate variability, a sign of reduced stress
  4. Increases immune system T cells, which are responsible for fighting infection
  5. Facilitates anti-cancer protein production

Health Benefits

Why Forest Bathing in Five

More than 30 years of research studies into the health benefits of Forest Bathing have identified the following:

 

  1. Reduces stress and anxiety as measured by lower levels of the stress hormone Cortisol
  2. Lowers blood pressure and heart rate
  3. Improves heart rate variability, a sign of reduced stress
  4. Increases immune system T cells, which are responsible for fighting infection
  5. Facilitates anti-cancer protein production
Veterans Adirondack Forest Bathing on Mountain Top

We have also learned from veterans that reintegrating life at home after leaving the service can be a major source of anxiety, isolation, depression and so much more. Nature can provide solace and a sense of belonging. Nature mirrors so many of life’s challenges and gifts. For example, trees in a forest work together as a community, because they know the wellbeing of one depends on the wellbeing of all. Nature has so much wisdom to share, when we slow down and get up close.

Sharing a nature sensory walk, or a sensory snowshoeing experience, with your family can strengthen the bonds between you and create lasting shared memories. Nature sensory practice is easy to learn and to take home, regardless of where you live. It can become a set of common family skills that build better understanding and trust. It includes a sharing framework that gives every family member a chance to be equally heard.
Winter Group Sensory Snowshoeing Adirondacks
Veteran Feeling Texture of Wood while Adirondack Forest Bathing
The simplest practices are often the most effective. One or two Forest Therapy experiences are enough to empower you with a set of tools to help you heal and improve your wellbeing. Nature sensory practice requires no equipment. Whether you live in a city, suburban area, small town or the countryside, nature sensory practice can become a part of your everyday life without having to travel farther than your neighborhood park, your backyard or your community garden. It can even be practiced indoors when the weather or your schedule require it.
United States Flags

FOREST THERAPY FOR VETERANS

We also welcome the opportunity to introduce you or your group of veterans to nature sensory walks. Beyond the many health benefits identified through several decades of research studies, we have found for ourselves that time spent in nature helps to break the sense of isolation and reduces the anxiety that comes with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Using our senses while engaging with nature is a powerful tool to help you anchor yourself in the here and now, to avoid and even deescalate from the physiological and mental high alert state of being triggered.

Veterans Adirondack Forest Bathing on Mountain Top
We have also learned from veterans that reintegrating life at home after leaving the service can be a major source of anxiety, isolation, depression and so much more. Nature can provide solace and a sense of belonging. Nature mirrors so many of life’s challenges and gifts. For example, trees in a forest work together as a community, because they know the wellbeing of one depends on the wellbeing of all. Nature has so much wisdom to share, when we slow down and get up close.
Veteran Sensory Snowshoeing in the Adirondacks
Sharing a nature sensory walk, or a sensory snowshoeing experience, with your family can strengthen the bonds between you and create lasting shared memories. Nature sensory practice is easy to learn and to take home, regardless of where you live. It can become a set of common family skills that build better understanding and trust. It includes a sharing framework that gives every family member a chance to be equally heard.
Veteran Feeling Texture of Wood while Adirondack Forest Bathing
The simplest practices are often the most effective. One or two Forest Therapy experiences are enough to empower you with a set of tools to help you heal and improve your wellbeing. Nature sensory practice requires no equipment. Whether you live in a city, suburban area, small town or the countryside, nature sensory practice can become a part of your everyday life without having to travel farther than your neighborhood park, your backyard or your community garden. It can even be practiced indoors when the weather or your schedule require it.

“I used to find peace in the woods, hunting. My PTSD put a stop to that for over five years. On my first Forest Bathing walk, I got that feeling back for a couple of minutes. The second time, I got that feeling several times, and for longer. I thought that comfort was gone forever but a new door has opened. I will be doing Forest Bathing near my home.”

M.R.

How We Work

1. Contact Us

Schedule a brief call or email us with your vision and objectives

2. Proposal

We provide you with a proposal, with options to address your vision

3. Confirm

Confirmation with all the details, and support you need for a successful program

Hotel Saranac logo in orange
Are you looking for lodging in the area? We have partnered with Hotel Saranac to offer you discounted rates. Ask us for the code when you book your experience.