Forest Bathing

Melissa Shrout 

Dr. Melissa Shrout D.C. graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in February 2006. Before that she attended the University of Missouri where she received a Bachelor of Science. Her initial interest in Chiropractic came from watching her mother suffer constant back pain from scoliosis, and finally find relief through Chiropractic. As a mother of four, she feels that Chiropractic care is an essential part of raising a healthy family. She also performs energy work and specializes in difficult cases, including tethered oral tissues, plagiocephaly, and feeding difficulties in infants. During her 18 years in clinical practice Dr. Melissa has been a constant learner, adding many services and techniques to help her patients. She has added certification in forest therapy and acupuncture in 2023.     

Tiffany Smith 

Tiffany graduated from Ball State University in May 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Since then, she has worked as a registered nurse at Riley Hospital for Children. As a mom to 4 horses, 2 dogs and 2 cats, Tiffany spends most of her free time outside and has experienced the therapeutic benefits of nature. Also, having worked as a nurse at Camp Riley, a camp for children with complex medical needs, Tiffany has merged her passion for nature with her calling as a nurse. This experience allowed her to witness the therapeutic power of connecting with nature. In 2023, she attended The Forest Therapy School and obtained her certification as a Certified Forest Therapy Guide with the goal of offering this therapeutic modality to her community members.  

Forest Bathing is a rain or shine event, the elements transform The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park and the experience. In the event of severe weather during the class, such as, but not limited to lightning and high winds identified by Newfields, guests will be escorted to designated severe weather shelters. Newfields, in consultation with Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and/or Indianapolis Fire Department, based on current radar, data, the severe weather has passed the area and there is no potential for further cells to pass through the area, the class may resume. If unable to resume, the class will be transferred to the afternoon or scheduled to a later date. Newfields will make a weather call to move a class based on predicted weather conditions and all communications to guests regarding weather that are able to be determined in advance will arrive via an email by 8:30 AM on the day of the class. A weather call may be made due to any predicted weather condition, including but not limited to rain, heat, ice, or snow.