MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital offers San Diego Zoo Kids TV Channel

MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital offers patients and families a new television channel, San Diego Zoo Kids, featuring real-life zoo animal experiences through closed-circuit television. The innovative programming is available on monitors in every patient room, staff access areas and waiting areas at the hospital.

"At the Children's Cancer Hospital, we're dedicated to providing our young patients with the world's best cancer treatment, all while enhancing their care experience," says Richard Gorlick, M.D., division head and chair of Pediatrics. "We're thankful to the San Diego Zoo Kids channel for providing a wonderful educational opportunity and adding to our resources for our patients and families."

Funded by businessman and philanthropist T. Denny Sanford, San Diego Zoo Kids was launched mainly for hospitals and medical facilities treating pediatric patients. The programming offers up-close video encounters with animals, short videos about caring for animals and quizzes about animals and their habitats.

"The stories we tell not only entertain children and their families during what can be a stressful time, but also hopefully inspire a new generation to appreciate wildlife and their natural habitats," says Douglas Myers, president and chief executive officer of San Diego Zoo Global. "We've heard from several doctors, nurses and families that providing these animal stories has been a resource of calm and comfort for their young patients."

San Diego Zoo Kids, installed in 96 children's hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses in 27 states across the United States and in Mexico, Canada and Australia, partners with local zoos to film animals in their zoo habitats. San Diego Zoo Kids partnered with the Houston Zoo to film animal stories that are edited and uploaded to MD Anderson's designated channel.

"The Houston Zoo is honored to contribute to this important project," says Lee Ehmke, president and chief executive officer of the Houston Zoo. "The entire zoo team is excited to share charming and fascinating animal stories with our young neighbors and their families."