White Rock, B.C. – Peace Arch Hospital is adorned with many garden spaces, including the Werner and Helga Höing Tranquility Garden nestled behind the Ellen Sinclair Kennett Lodge’s Melville Hospice Home. This past year, Werner and Helga Höing took their philanthropic spirit even further by establishing the Werner and Helga Höing Tranquility Garden Fund, which is dedicated to the ongoing maintenance, enhancement, and horticultural therapy activities in the gardens present on Peace Arch Hospital’s site.

“The garden is such a special place for patients and families. Putting together the sweet peas with mom in the garden in her final days was so therapeutic. It’s truly beautiful and we can’t thank you enough,” says a grateful family member of a hospice patient.

Studies have shown that therapeutic horticulture programs help to reduce patient anxiety, improve cognitive function, and boost happiness in long-term care residents. Peace Arch Hospital’s gardens are adorned with a diverse array of plants and flowers, offering solace and comfort to those facing terminal and life-limiting conditions.

It is deeply ingrained for us to thrive in a natural environment as nature provides a sense of calm and serenity that is not found in many other places. As patients and families receive care, nature too needs care. Providing opportunities for patients to garden and connect with nature, while also connecting with other people, is something PAHF is proud to support.

“The garden has become a vital space for patients and their families,” says Caroline Les, Therapeutic Horticulturist at the Werner & Helga Höing Tranquility Garden. “Whether they’re enjoying spring daffodils from their bedside, watching hummingbirds at our feeders, or finding a quiet moment of peace among the plants, it’s a sensory-rich haven where emotions can be released and people can relax. It offers gentle distraction during challenging times, and we are so grateful to Werner & Helga Höing for their generous support.”

We are so grateful to Werner and Helga Höing for establishing this fund. By setting a long-term precedent of philanthropy in support of our outdoor spaces, you’re playing a vital role in enhancing the hospital environment, supporting patient well-being, and fostering community spirit on our campus. Your generosity has planted seeds of healing and connection that will continue to bloom for generations to come!