Services for Patients

Family pet visits are not permitted for the health and safety of other patients, visitors, and staff. This policy does not apply to service animals.  

Requests for pet visits may be considered on compassionate grounds. In this instance, a pet may be brought into the hospital with the approval of the manager of the patient care unit. There are a number of steps to approve such a visit, including proof of vaccination and completing a pet waiver and release form. If you wish to bring the pet of a patient to the hospital for a compassionate visit, please speak with a member of your care team.  

LHSC recognizes the benefit of therapy dog visits for certain patients and has partnered with St. John’s Ambulance to provide a therapy dog program in several units in the hospital. Speak with a member of your care team to see if there is a therapy dog visit coming up. 

The Art Therapy program provides children and youth with the opportunity to express thoughts and feelings through creative activities. This experience can be empowering, nurturing, and can also promote a personal sense of control at a time of unpredictable medical challenges. The art process can be relaxing, distracting, enjoyable, and have therapeutic value in a very individualized way.

This program is designed to help children and youth document their unique and personal journey through a long-term or chronic illness, or injury using beads. Each bead represents an element of care or treatment. This is a voluntary program for children of all ages. 

Child Life Specialists are trained professionals who work with children and families to help them cope with the challenges of hospitalization, illness, or disability. Child Life Specialists provide preparation for procedures, pain management, and coping through play and self-expression.

The Gender Pathways Service (GPS) provides gender-affirming care to gender diverse and transgender children and adolescents 17 years of age and younger. This multi-disciplinary service offers access to several specialties and follows all relevant North American and international guidelines, including those set out by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. Learn more by contacting gps@lhsc.on.ca. 

A year-round program that provides weekly inpatient and clinic visits for paediatric patients and their siblings. Children learn breathing and relaxation techniques along with martial arts.

An accredited music therapist uses music-based activities to support patients while in hospital. Music therapy can help patients in all areas of health and wellbeing. Sessions can help with things such as pain control and rehabilitation. Music therapy is available for patients of any age, illness, or disability. You do not need any musical skill to take part in sessions.

Ollie Pale is a therapeutic clown trained to provide opportunities for play, laughter, and fun, helping to normalize children’s lives during their hospital stay. Visit the Therapeutic Clown page to learn more about Ollie.

Pet therapy involves therapy dogs visiting children in the hospital. It has been shown to improve a patient’s sense of wellbeing and to facilitate the treatment and rehabilitation of patients.

The SMILE Room, located on the sixth floor in B6-261, is a room filled with sensory equipment to aid in relaxation or stimulation. The room has bubble columns, fibre optics, mirrors, music, and much more.

The Transitions in Care team supports paediatric patients and their families across key transition milestones such as transitioning from youth to adult care and moving from school to hospital and back to school again. Visit the Transitions in Care page to learn more.

This is a free, secure social networking site for paediatric patients, ages 8-18, to connect with each other across Canada. Laptops are available for use through Child Life Services. For more information, please speak with a Child Life Specialist.