The San Diego Zoo comes to CoxHealth

Wild animals are coming to see kids at CoxHealth – via closed circuit television, that is.

Cox South is one of 65 hospitals worldwide which has been granted access to San Diego Zoo Kids, a closed-circuit, animal-filled TV show that’s filmed and broadcast by San Diego Zoo Global.

“We are thrilled that this resource is now available for our patients,” says Beth Polivka, administrative director of nursing at CoxHealth. “Having this resource is an amazing opportunity for kids to not only learn more about animals, but to ‘escape’ their condition, even for a few minutes.”

Here’s how it works: The zoo films shows featuring various kid-friendly, animal-centered topics. Those episodes are then sent to players installed at Cox South, and are available for young patients 24 hours a day. But while the content is entertaining, it is also medically beneficial: Watching the world of animals, zoos and aquariums allows kiddos to take their minds off their medical issues for a while, giving them a chance to relax – and heal.

“The San Diego Zoo Kids channel also features some animals who have health conditions like diabetes, skin diseases and broken bones,” says Polivka. “Children see animals face the same medical challenges that they face and it helps them realize that they are not alone, and that they too can recover.”

San Diego Zoo Kids is only available to children’s hospitals, and is available for free since it is funded through private donations. To learn more about it, click here.