Michael Boyer has always had a special relationship with nature and trees. A veteran of the Second World War, Michael served as a gunner in the 4th Field Regiment in the Canadian Army.
In the years after the war, he completed his senior matriculation and studied botany at the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph.
His graduate work took him to Iowa State University where he studied forest pathology, before moving on to work with the Federal Department of Forestry in Quebec. In 1970, he became a professor of biology at York University, a post he held for 21 years, until his retirement at age 65.
Following the passing of his wife and with the loving support of his children, Michael lived alone in an apartment near Sunnybrook. His enjoyment of working with plants and being in nature, led him to volunteer with the horticultural therapist at the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre in the K-wing and Dorothy Macham Home gardens.
At age 93, Michael now resides at the Veterans Centre and looks forward to one-on-one and group horticultural therapy sessions. Though his mobility has brought challenges, it has not kept him from his passion. Michael has transitioned from a cane to a walker, to a manual wheelchair, and finally to a power wheelchair.
Working together with horticultural therapist, Janet Phillips, Michael has been able to adapt his gardening techniques to enable him to continue to enjoy working in the greenhouse and gardens.
“My affiliation with horticultural therapy has been a real blessing and has made a huge difference in my life,” says Michael. “I’ve also learned so many innovative and new things with Janet.”
Together, they value one another’s opinions, knowledge and wisdom, and work alongside the other veterans in the horticultural therapy program to create a beautiful and peaceful garden space. No matter what one’s age, one can continue to learn more about and enjoy the wonders and delights of nature.
Please note: the therapeutic garden is a private space for use by the residents and patients of the K- and L-wings of the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre and their guests.
