SEEDSOFHEALING
JANET STOFKOPER
BERGEN NEW BRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER
As aretiree , Janet Stofkoper opted to take amaster gardening course through the Rutgers Cooperative Extension . Stofkoper , aformer nurse and Ridgewood resident , gravitated towards horticultural therapy for her 60 hours of internship . One of her professors , Joel Flagler , had connections to Bergen New Bridge Medical Center , a safety net facility that treats many patients in need ofmental health services . She decided to bring her green thumb there and tend to the facility ’ s greenhouse .
Ayear later , Stofkoper is certified , with more than 500 hours to her credit . She currently volunteers at Bergen New Bridge for six hours one day per week , usually aTuesday , when she waters plants , makes sure they ’ re not infected with diseases , and helps adozen residents plant seedlings . The hospital offers anumber of programs in which volunteers can help patients through gardening , she says .
“ There are three ways we interact ,” says Stofkoper .“ Residents can come to the greenhouse or an outdoor area with raised beds and work with plants ; on Earth Day , wehad acelebration where they planted atree . There are also resident programs in which we go to their rooms and work with their plants . And there ’ s sensory therapy , when they come to the greenhouse just to relax , listen to music and enjoy the beauty .” Residents get physical therapy and emotional satisfaction through their involvement , she says , including those in locked wards who , though they previously wouldn ’ t venture beyond their wards , will come down to the greenhouse to participate .
Gardening together is mutually rewarding , says Stofkoper .“ When the residents are out of their medical environment , they can be themselves ,” she says . “ They seem to get so much emotional enjoyment out of it that Ireally enjoy it emotionally , too .” She also appreciates the camaraderie of her peers , many of whom are also well-educated and have retired from successful careers .
Joshua Remland , manager of volunteer services at Bergen New Bridge , notes how important the horticulture volunteer ’ scontributions are .“ When you watch our residents engaged in horticultural activities , you can see their moods lighten as they engage in socializing with one another ,” hesays . “ It also visibly reduces their stress levels while improving their memory and cognitive abilities .” Stofkoper , hesays , “ is ashining star who brings positivity wherever she goes . Her work ethic , dependability , and the warmth she brings with her every shift isjust amazing .”
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