Advisory: Photo/Interview Opportunity for SUNDAY, DEC. 23
(Note to Editors: Depending on the number of media outlets that attend, please be prepared to take turns filming inside the hospital due to limited space in patient care areas.)
WHAT:
A dozen dogs and their owners, all members of UCLA's People-Animal Connection (PAC), will hold their annual holiday caroling event. Dressed in holiday attire, the canine volunteer teams will stroll through the pediatric unit at Mattel Childrens Hospital UCLA singing songs and bringing holiday cheer to patients and staff.
WHEN:
10:15 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 23
WHERE:
Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, UCLA campus
- 10:15 a.m.: PAC volunteers will meet at the entrance to Mattel Children's Hospital to dress in holiday gear.
- 10:30–11 a.m.: Volunteer teams will carol on the pediatric patient floor.
BACKGROUND:
UCLA's PAC is an animal-assisted therapy program that brings trained volunteers and their dogs to UCLA hospital patients in order to provide a more humane environment for patients, family and staff and to help in the patient recovery process. Started in 1994 with one canine team, PAC has grown to more than 50 teams that visit more than 40 diverse units of the hospital. The program is supported solely by donations. For more information on how to support the program, contact PAC director Jack Barron at (310) 206-2127 or visit www.uclahealth.org/PAC.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Amy Albin, UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations, office (310)794-8672; cell (310) 597-5765.
PARKING:
Oversized trucks can park at designated meters along Tiverton Avenue. All other vehicles can obtain a parking lot pass at the kiosk located at Tiverton and Le Conte avenues.
