DISCOVER
has officially become the hospital's newest facility dog, dedicated to supporting clinical staff on adult oncology units. Muffin recently graduated from a bond-based training program at Canine Assistants in Georgia and has joined us as a full-time employee. With healthcare workers continuing to face high-pressure environments, therapy animals like Muffin are becoming an increasingly valued part of hospital support systems.
Muffin is part of the Mount Sinai Paws & Play Care for Clinical Teams program, an innovative initiative within the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department. The program's mission is to provide well-being and resilience opportunities for staff, faculty, and trainees across the hospital's adult areas, with the goal of reducing burnout, stress, and depression in the workplace and positively impacting patient care. Muffin will make weekly rounds at nursing stations, conference rooms, offices and individual units throughout the week, providing a calming presence during long shifts. In a place where we deal with a lot of heavy stuff, she reminds us to breathe, smile, and take a moment for ourselves.
Muffin's handlers are art therapists Robin O’Hare, LCAT, ATR-BC, RYT, and Katherine Parker, MA, LCAT, ATR-BC, ATCS. Together, Muffin and her handlers will provide integrative staff wellness support throughout the Mount Sinai Health System using Animal Assisted Therapy, Art Therapy, and Mindfulness interventions. As Muffin settles into her new role, it’s clear she’s more than just a dog, she’s a four-legged lifeline for those who spend their days caring for others.
Bringing Awareness One Creation at a Time
Patient Valentina, 5, regularly visits the outpatient clinic for treatment at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital. Valentina loves staying engaged in creative arts therapy and child life services during her lengthy appointments, whether that is through art making, music, bingo, or play. During September, the outpatient clinic celebrated Hematology and Oncology Awareness Month through many different opportunities, such as art therapy groups. In collaboration with Chloe Schaeffer, art therapy fellow, Valentina worked alongside group members to create awareness magnets.
Valentina made magnets utilizing positive affirmation quotes and gold ribbons. The goal of this intervention was to cultivate a sense of confidence, challenge negative thoughts or feelings, and encourage conversation and processing regarding patient experience and diagnosis within the outpatient community. Overall, these magnets symbolize strength and awareness. Valentina’s magnet read, “I am brave, fearless, bold, and strong. ”Valentina proudly made six powerful and inspiring magnets and was excited to bring them home to continue to spread awareness. Moments like this create space for challenging and vulnerable experiences to be shared while cultivating a sense of hope, connection, and inspiration.
Muffin the Newest Member of the Mount Sinai Facility Dog Team takes a break during her busy day.
USTA Wheelchair Athletes Visit KidZone TV
In August, the Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital and KidZone TV studio received a special visit from USTA wheelchair athletes, Jason Keatseangslip and Lauren Haneke-Hopps, and United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Manager for Wheelchair Tennis, Evan Enquist. Jason and Lauren showcased the exciting sport of wheelchair tennis with an exhibition in the Mount Sinai Hospital lobby. Physicians, staff, and patients alike hopped in, learning about the sport and picking up a few skills. Following the exhibition, Jason and Lauren filmed a show for KidZone TV. The co-hosts, 13-year-old patient Jayden, and KidZone TV producer, Grace Webber, shared trivia questions related to wheelchair tennis. There was a lively studio audience, as well as enthusiastic callers and texters from the units. Patients and caregivers left with USTA giveaways.
NICU Team Provides Baby Shower Fun to Families
In honor of NICU Awareness Month, which is celebrated throughout September, Katie Messina, CCLS, and Amelia Edwards, CCLS, along with Kelly Gallagher, LCSW, MPH, hosted a baby shower. Over 30 attendees were able to celebrate their baby and connect with other families on the unit through activities that normalized their environment and provided opportunities for sharing about their child. The event included activities such as a “word unscramble,” “baby wishes for baby sheet.” All activities were provided in both English and Spanish.
We are preparing for the holidays! For the winter holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and more) we transform our theater space into a holiday gift shop where caregivers “shop” for gifts for their hospitalized child and their siblings. Christmas morning brings extra fun as our volunteer Santas visit families at their bedside. These celebrations would not be possible without your generous support. Please scan the QR code, visit our Amazon wish, and choose any items you want to supply for our holiday events. Thank you for your help in giving our families a celebration of fun and joy while they are facing their medical challenges in the hospital!
Impact Report Highlights Councils
The Youth and Family Advisory Councils at Kravis Children’s Hospital proudly present their annual impact report, highlighting key accomplishments and initiatives that elevate the patient and family voice. From collaborative projects to innovative partnerships, this report showcases how lived experiences shape care and community within our hospital. Please use this QR code to access the document.
Staff Accomplishments
Kiara Mendez earned her certification as a licensed clinical art therapist in July.
Aileen Zhou passed her child life certification exam and is now a Certified Child Life Specialist. Diane Rode facilitated a six-session virtual intensive in Reflective Practice in the Fall. Four children’s hospitals across the nation participated.
Katherine Parker, art therapist and family care coordinator in adult oncology, was selected as a recipient of the 2025 Needs Based Grant from the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) for a project entitled Bibliotherapy: An Innovative Approach to Coping for Children of Adult Oncology Patients.
Katherine Parker, through a collaboration between Kravis Children's Hospital and VOOM Foundation, presented a virtual staff training, "Advancing Pediatric Practice through Patient & Family-Centered Care and Understanding Child Development," for nurses at the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital in Oraifite, Nigeria.
USTA wheelchair athletes join a patient, Jayden, and KZTV staff member, Grace Webber, for a special show.
Donations, such as stickers, pins, bracelets, and developmental toys, were provided by Project Sweet Peas.
KidZone TV Studio Co-Views: A Child Life Specialist’s Perspective
As a child life specialist, one of the most effective tools I use to build rapport with pediatric patients is our hospital’s in-house broadcast studio, KZTV. These shared, age-appropriate experiences help children feel connected and engaged during their hospital stay.
The trust and rapport created through co-viewing is essential, often making it easier to support patients as they face new diagnoses, medical procedures, or the emotional challenges of hospitalization. A favorite among patients is bingo, which I join most mornings. Many children look forward to this as part of their daily routine, motivated by the chance to win prizes while celebrating victories together. Beyond the excitement, bingo offers distraction, strengthens coping and creates joyful moments that children can count on during their stay.
When a child is unable to participate due to medical limitations, I will often take part on their behalf, ensuring they remain represented and included. Family members are encouraged to join as well, which not only supports the patient emotionally but also fosters moments of normalcy and connection during an otherwise stressful time.
While KZTV may appear to be simple entertainment, it serves a far greater purpose. For many patients, it becomes a vital source of comfort and emotional support. It allows me to meet children and families where they are, both physically and emotionally, and gently opens the door for deeper therapeutic interactions. In a healthcare environment filled with uncertainty, KZTV provides inclusion, empowerment and the reminder that children are never alone.
IBD Child Life Specialist Heads to Camp Oasis
In August, Child Life Specialist Sarah Griffiths volunteered at Camp Oasis, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s camp for children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). As part of the support staff, alongside another child life specialist and two social workers, Sarah provided psychosocial support to campers during their week-long experience in Connecticut. She also worked closely with the medical team, including Dr. Keith Benkov, a renowned pediatric gastroenterologist from Mount Sinai who has volunteered at the camp for over 20 years. During camp, over 100 children engaged in a wide range of activities, including sports, ceramics, high ropes courses, and swimming in the lake. Beyond traditional camp activities, campers are given the opportunity to engage in specific activities created to allow them to connect over their shared experiences with IBD. This included lighthearted games, like toilet paper unraveling contests and songs about poop, as well as more reflective sessions such as “Chat IBD.” During these small-group discussions, each age group met with a medical and support staff member to talk openly about their diagnoses, treatment, and feelings in a supportive setting. Sarah states “These sessions were an amazing way to allow kids to connect over shared experiences and identify any misconceptions they may have about their diagnosis or treatment plan in a truly safe space.”
Art Provides a Pathway to Expression for Patient
During a long admission in the hospital, patient Avery had the exciting and creative idea to share his favorite musical artists with other patients through a collaboration with Joseph Cooper, board-certified music therapist, and the KidZone TV (KZTV) production team. In August and September, Avery worked to create a list of famous pop music artists or icons and then thought about his favorite songs released by each singer. After using these songs in his music therapy sessions, the KZTV team worked to put the artists and songs together on a bingo board and hosted a special production recognizing his hard work and upcoming discharge. Avery and Joseph sang many of these songs live on KidZone TV while patients and families participated by watching and calling in when they got a full bingo on their boards.
Avery mentioned he enjoyed both the process of choosing the music for the show and getting to host his bingo live on KZTV.“Two of my favorites... you know, Posty and Jelly,” Avery said referring to Post Malone and Jelly Roll. “I love how Avery has such a broad array of pop stars that he listens to and how music has helped him during his stay and during some difficult times, how it has helped him during some times with anxiety,” Kim, Avery’s mom, said.
Kathleen Burke, child life specialist, uses co-views to engage with her patients.
Sarah Griffiths, CCLS, with Dr. Keith Benkov and the Camp Oasis medical and mental health volunteers
Watch Avery and Joseph sing some of Avery’s favorite songs by following the QR code.
Summer and Tess: A Songwriter Duo
Patient Tess, guest teen editor for the Fall edition of Reflections truly benefited from both animal assisted therapy and music therapy services while she was admitted to the hospital. Facility dog, Summer, and Bethany, music therapist and Summer’s primary handler, would visit Tess at her bedside and in the Zone for sessions that helped Tess cope with an unexpected long admission. During sessions, Tess would verbally process how she was feeling and would analyze lyrics of familiar songs to relate to her current mood or experience. Although finding songs that have already been written were great to help Tess express how she was feeling, Bethany wanted Tess to be able to share, in her own words, just exactly what she was experiencing. Bethany then prompted Tess to write a song together, to accomplish the goal of using her own words to share her experiences in the hospital. The services Tess was receiving at the hospital, including child life services, art therapy, music therapy and animal assisted therapy, and the connections she had made with hospital staff, inspired the theme and lyrics of the song. Ultimately, working on the song together with Summer and Bethany, and eventually having a finished song, helped Tess have something to look forward to during her stay at the hospital.
Patient Benefits from Combined Art and Animal-Assisted Therapies
For the past five months, Angelica has been in treatment on the inpatient oncology unit. Throughout her stay, one of the most meaningful sources of comfort and motivation has been her special bond with our facility dog, Icee. From the moment she met him, Angelica formed a deep connection with Icee that has continued to grow with each visit.
Angelica has participated in regular art therapy and animal-assisted therapy sessions. Kyla, who is both Icee's secondary handler and an art therapist, has provided the perfect combination of creativity and emotional support to help Angelica feel supported during her hospitalization. Whether it’s painting, crafting, or simply relaxing and cuddling with Icee, these sessions give Angelica moments of joy, expression, and companionship that brighten her days.
She especially enjoys making special art projects for Icee. Her most recent creation was a festive birthday hat that she designed and decorated just for him. Icee and Angelica have formed a bond has made a meaningful difference to Angelica during her hospitalization.
Coco Pollard, Child Life Assistant, earned her B.A. in Psychology from Marymount Manhattan College with a minor in Children, Media, and Creativity. She’s passionate about supporting patients and families through creative, engaging experiences and looks forward to offering interactive game sessions that bring joy, distraction, and connection. She’s excited to return after a KidZone TV internship.
Welcome, New Staff Members
College (May 2026). She first joined KidZone TV as an intern in 2024 and now helps patients use media and performance to reflect on their hospital experiences, express themselves, and build confidence through creativity and play.
with a Masters in Child Studies and Pediatric Healthcare. Aileen worked as a social emotional learning (SEL) curriculum specialist and a pediatric trauma prevention intern before joining the child life team.
Sophia Gutierrez Osuna, CAT
Therapy Coordinator in the PICU, studied Clinical Psychology and Arts at the University of Monterrey and earned a master’s in art therapy from NYU. She was an art therapy intern at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital and New York Presbyterian Hospital. Sophia is also the secondary handler of Summer, one of the department’s facility dogs.
Robin O’Hare, LCAT, ATR -BC, RYT, Animal Assisted Therapy Coordinator/ Primary Dog Handler, earned a master’s degree from New York University. She is a certified yoga teacher. Robin has experience working in residential treatment, outpatient community mental health, inpatient psychiatric and is also an adjunct instructor for New York University’s graduate Art Therapy Program.
Bethany and Tess, along with facility dog Summer, record their song in the KidZone TV studio.