Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Image: Child in poolImage: Daughter and mother looking at each other

Programs & Services

Therapeutic Clown Program

theraputic clown program at holland bloorview

The Therapeutic Clown Program at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital was established by Therapeutic Clowns Canada in 2005.

Since its inception it has grown from a solo model therapeutic clown practice to a duo model (i.e. therapeutic clowns working in pairs). The clowns are:

  • Dr. Flap
  • Nurse Polo

Every Tuesday and Thursday, Nurse Polo and Dr. Flap visit all 3 inpatient units at Holland Bloorview (that is, Brain Injury Rehab, Specialized Orthopedic and Developmental Rehab, and Complex Continuing Care).

Under Holland Bloorview’s Therapeutic Recreation and Life Skills program the Therapeutic Clown Program offers a diverse range of benefits to Holland Bloorview’s clients.

Using skills including music, rhythm, movement, physical comedy and slapstick, Nurse Polo and Dr. Flap provide warmth and laughter to clients, families and staff.

As with other similar programs, the idea is to always place the client’s needs and desires ahead of those of the artist’s. This helps to empower each client and allow them to make choices so they can be the leader of the play interaction.

Theraputic clowns at holland bloorviewThe clowns also provide positive distraction during certain procedures and assist during physiotherapy, education and Child Life sessions. The clowns are regarded as living ‘tools’ to be partnered with staff here at Holland Bloorview.

Populations Served:

Contact

Helen Donnelly 416-425-6220, extension 3009 or Manuel Rodriguez, extension 3007
E-mail: hdonnelly (at) hollandbloorview (dot) ca *(see Note below)

Room: 2E 157

*Note: Copy the above e-mail address into the To field of your e-mail message and reconstruct the e-mail address by removing the spaces and replacing the “at” and “dot” with the proper symbols (@ and .) respectively.