You Are Here
Home >
News >
Koala visit brings smiles to the faces of sick children
Koala visit brings smiles to the faces of sick children
Friday, 23 December 2011
There were smiles aplenty today when handlers from Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary brought two of their furry friends—Kat and Crumpet—to visit patients at Mater Children’s Hospital.
Mater Children’s Hospital Nursing Director Cathy Keyte said the Lone Pine visit was a chance for children, many of whom may be in hospital over Christmas, to have a cuddle and get their photo taken with the much-loved animals.
“Staff and patients look forward to this visit each year and it’s wonderful to see the smiles on our patients’ faces and to hear their stories after the visit,” Ms Keyte said.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Wildlife Operations and Development Manager Jacqui Brumm said Lone Pine handlers Kylie and Kimberley also looked forward to the annual hospital visit.
“The opportunity to make unwell children glow with excitement when they see a koala is such an intense, heartfelt moment,” Ms Brumm said.
“To have the chance to brighten just one day, or to take away the pain for just one moment for these children too sick to go home over Christmas is an amazing feeling.
“Koalas have the ability to bring a smile to anyone's face."
Mater News RSS