Disney Shares Magic Of Animal Kingdom With Three Local Children’s Hosptials
We’ve got a moving story from Walt Disney World Cast & Community for your Tuesday afternoon. Disney shared a few details this afternoon regarding ways that Cast Members are working virtually to bring fun from the parks to three local Central Florida hospitals.
Animals, Science & Environment Cast Members have come up with solutions to bring a bit of Disney magic to children facing serious illnesses even during the pandemic with new virtual solutions, some awesome learn to draw tutorials, some fun surprises and a whole lot of pixie dust.
Prior to the pandemic Dr. Scott Tyrell, Director Animals & Science Operations at Disney World and his animal care team visited AdventHealth for Children, Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Nemours Children’s Hospital. In year’s past, Dr. Scott’s team would bring smaller animals like rabbits, hedgehogs and birds with the intention that they would serve as a welcome distraction from what could be a stressful hospital stay for these little ones.
This was also a great opportunity to show children how EVEN animal sometimes need medical care and what that process might involve. The experience was aimed to reduce their anxiety and show them that animals were in good hands just like they are in good hands with the doctors and nurses looking after them!
“Our team is devoted to animal care and conservation in our parks, but also in supporting the local community,” said Dr. Scott. “Being able to connect children and families – especially those facing critical illness – to animals and conservation efforts found in our parks is something we are passionate about because we see the positive impact that the magic of nature has on our guests every day.”
However, time has changed and so has the program to meet these needs. The NEW virtual program connects children through a series of videos that feature animals found and Disney theme parks. These videos also share an important message of conservation. In addition, one of Disney’s talented Animation Experience Character Artists leads the children through tutorial on how to draw some of Disney’s most popular characters like Dumbo!
Disney also has specially donated materials to pass on to the kids like Dumbo plush dolls and sketch paper allowing them to continue the magic even after the tutorial is over.
We can’t think of a better month to share this inspirational story about the ways that Cast Members are giving back to the community than Earth Month. Each April, Disney uses the excitement around Earth Day to highlight the company’s rich legacy of caring for the environment which by extension means the community as well.
Readers are encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog for more incredible ways that Disney is giving back to the community.
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