Earth Month is in full swing in the Disney Parks!

While you celebrate our Big Blue World, you can also take a look at the wonderful way Disney has given back to the ones who make fairytales so magical — children!

Disney has teamed together with AdventHealth for Children, Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, and Nemours Children’s Hospital to bring joy to pediatric patients. Dr. Scott Terrell, director of Animals & Science Operations, and his animal care team brought animal like rabbits, hedgehogs, and birds to distract from the stress of the hospital environment.

The animal care team would tell the children how the small animals they brought even go through medical treatment too sometimes “aimed to reduce their anxiety and show them the animals were in good hands, just like they would be.” However, the in-person visitation had to change because of the pandemic. So, now the newer virtual program connects pediatric patients to nature through new video series with animals from the parks and conservation messages.

Animation Experience character artists brought them step-by-step tutorial on how to draw Dumbo and Simba with specially donated sketch paper and comfort toys, like a Dumbo plush, handy. Patients at Central Florida children’s hospitals have been enjoying this program, just in time for Disney’s Earth Month celebrations.

Dr. Terrell stated that, “Our team is devoted to animal care and conservation in our parks, but also in supporting the local community. 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.”

And, we’ll be sure to give you a look at the rest of the Earth Day festivities you can find in the parks and online soon! Stay tuned with All Ears for more Disney news!

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How are you celebrating Earth Month? Let us know in the comments below!