Child Life

A young girl in a Halloween dress and spider hat stands in the doorway of a hospital room while a woman kneels down near her, holding up a doll-like toy.

Spirit of Children gives record $98,061 to benefit Child Life Program

Emma Munger wears a mask and leans forward in a hospital bed to pet Becky, a golden retriever, who stares into Munger’s eyes. Behind them stands a woman in a mask and lanyards.

Out of the dog house: Facility dogs return to work at Children's Hospital

Three Penn State Children’s Hospital staff members sit around a child-sized table, coloring with crayons and paper while music therapist Devon Springer strums a guitar. They are all wearing masks.

A show of hands: Art and music therapy project unites young patients

LeSean McCoy, wearing a Kansas City Chiefs uniform and hat, kneels down to talk with a young girl in a wheelchair. She looks back at him.

LeSean McCoy visits Children’s Hospital, manages to find a Chiefs fan

Trinity Stryker hoists a decorative bag. She’s wearing sunglasses, wings and antennae. All around her are other children and adults in costume holding bags.

Penn State Children's Hospital brings Halloween spirit to pediatric patients

Child Life Assistant Tiffaney Horner places special glasses on the face of 2-year-old Ava Lawson as her sister Aurora, 3, looks on. Ava is seated in a toy car. In the near background is a table with sunglasses, shirts, cups and other merchandise on it.

Pediatric patients celebrate Halloween early

o A man, woman and young girl pet a service dog in a hospital hallway. A portable cart with IV equipment is next to the girl.

Pro baseball players visit Penn State Children’s Hospital

A young boy in a striped shirt sits in a hospital bed, reaching out toward an iPad that has a likeness of Santa Claus. A woman is in the background taking a photo with a cell phone.

Santa makes cyber-stop at Penn State Children's Hospital

A young girl smiles and holds a mask to her face. She is wearing a sweater and a knit cap. Behind her is a man in a costume as a person riding a turkey and a table of costumes and assorted Halloween items.

Pediatric patients celebrate Halloween early

Two Harrisburg Senators baseball players stand on either side of a child in a mobile hospital bed while a woman standing to the side takes their picture.

Harrisburg Senators pitch smiles to Children’s Hospital patients

Three women sit on the floor. Between the three of them, a golden retriever lays on its back on the floor.

Child Life at Penn State Children’s Hospital welcomes second facility dog

A boy in a hospital gown sits alongside a golden retriever. The boy is smiling; the dog is wearing a pink scarf with a flower around its neck.

Man’s best friend puts young patients at ease

A close-up of a young girl laying in a hospital bed, holding a red, yellow and white Fisher Price toy. She is mostly covered by a blue blanket, and smiling widely.

Rite Aid and community spread holiday cheer at Penn State Children’s Hospital

A young girl sits in her mom's lap and smiles.

Santa connects with patients at Penn State Children’s Hospital

A close-up of a young boy in a green sweater, looking downward. A Christmas tree is in the background, slightly out of focus.

The Medical Minute: Celebration tempered with grief at the holidays

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