学院的角色

As a dynamic education and research component of the 绿色的烟囱 organization, The Sam and Myra Ross Institute offers a meaningful introduction to the theoretical and practical principles of incorporating animals, plants and the natural world in the re-education, socialization and treatment of deeply impacted children who have experienced crisis and a lack of success in their lives.

活动 of The Institute are supported by three practice areas:

1 教育

  • Serve as a “living laboratory” for students and professionals to observe and learn about nature-based interventions and activities in an active residential treatment, 治疗性日制学校, and general human service setting
  • Create and disseminate educational tools and materials to facilitate nature-based program replication
  • Host regional and national conferences to explore and disseminate scientific, scholarly and practical information
  • Maintain a speakers bureau of diverse professionals to share expertise on program implementation, 复制和评估

2 宣传

  • Support the positive impact animals, plants and nature can have on human health and well-being through advocacy efforts at the local, 联邦和全球层面
  • Advocate for acceptance of animal- and nature-based activities and therapy within educational and institutional settings
  • Model ethical incorporation of animals in nature-based programs

3 研究

  • Collaborate with academic and scientific institutions, research and advocacy organizations, and governmental entities that share an interest in the diverse areas of animals and nature-based programming, and therapy in a human service setting
  • Develop research and implement models for effective animal- and nature-based programming and treatment for children with special needs
  • Encourage outside academic and clinical research, and share knowledge with visiting researchers

研究伙伴关系

The Sam and Myra Ross Institute seeks to create an ambitious research agenda in the wider field of nature-based interactions through partnerships with academic institutions and professionals that includes basic research as well as sophisticated clinical studies that will ultimately impact the physical and mental health and quality of life for children with special needs who are involved in our program.

The strength and promise of The Institute is to facilitate understanding, education and medical recognition of the significant influence of nature-based therapies, 教育和互动. By facilitating and inviting scientific research that explores the impact of our nature-based work, we seek to set benchmarks for effective intervention methods and encourage data-driven practices that can be replicated.

If you are interested in exploring a research project partnership, please contact 绿色的烟囱 Clinical Director Steven Klee Ph.D. at (电子邮件保护) and Institute Director Michael Kaufmann at (电子邮件保护)