We\u2019ve all heard of\u00a0 emotional support animals. But emotional support trees?<\/p>\n
Tristan Shaw finds calm through the sapling he carries on his back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe sometimes feel the weight of the world on us and I don\u2019t know what it was specifically that day but I had a moment with one of my trees, and I said \u2018I\u2019m just going to take this with me,’\u201d Shaw said.<\/p>\n
\u00a0That was five years ago and ever since, Shaw has had a tree on his back and another in tow.<\/p>\n
\u201cI find taking the tree with me, you\u2019ve got that person in your corner,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He takes his buddy tree everywhere he goes \u2014 inner tubing, canoeing and bike riding.<\/p>\n
The tree on his back doesn\u2019t just ground Shaw, but provides roots for conversation\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to bring awareness to the problem to the lack of tree canopy,\u201d he said. \u201cYou can go miles and miles and miles and not see a single one.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Through a special grant and with the support of the city of Flossmoor\u2019s public works department, Shaw has rallied more than 300 volunteers to help him plant trees.<\/p>\n
He even sweet talked the fire department into doing the watering.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s not sure if his blood pressure is lower because of the oak leaves pressed against his neck, but says there is peace in trading the weight of the world for an sapling on your back.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s pretty awesome,\u201d he said. \u201cI have a tree and it\u2019s going to be okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
There is plenty of evidence showing a link between nature and mental well being. While Shaw\u2019s approach is a little more unconventional, you can\u2019t deny it\u2019s\u00a0working for him and the community.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\tSuggest a Correction<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tClose Modal<\/p>\n
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