New and Improved Zoo Book to Benefit Patient Care
In December 2023, a collaboration between Ricoh USA, Golisano Children’s Hospital, and the Rochester Seneca Park Zoo culminated in a new augmented reality “Zoo Book” for patient families receiving care at the Golisano Children’s Hospital. The book has animal facts, activity pages, and QR codes that produce life-like virtual images and sounds of animals via phone and tablet screens. These animals include species that live in Seneca Park Zoo, allowing hospitalized children ages 3-12 to take a remote trip from their own hospital room while learning about each animal in a unique and engaging way.The book, titled “Sandy and Friends’ Virtual Zoo Adventure, was the first of its kind to be produced in the country, and has provided a tremendous form of entertainment for patients and families at the Golisano Children’s Hospital over the last 18 months.
Due to the overwhelming positive response from patients and families from the initial Zoo Book project, Friends of Strong took the lead to partner with Golisano Children’s Hospital and bring a new retail version of the Zoo Book to everyone. The Friends of Strong Zoo Book is available for purchase for $15.99 at the Friends of Strong Gift Shop by Cloverkey, located inside of Strong Memorial Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
This updated book includes illustrations of animals such as elephants, penguins, and red pandas alongside a short description, and includes activity pages like animal crosswords and mazes. QR codes throughout the book produce virtual interactive animals which include expanded descriptions and information provided by staff at the Seneca Park Zoo.
Complimentary copies for inpatients ages 3-12 will continue to be available on units. To help differentiate this new retail version, the following changes have been added:
- The front and back covers are branded with the Friends of Strong logo.
- The back cover has an imbedded bar code for use by Cloverkey Staff.
- Friends of Strong is acknowledged on pages two and five.
- All references to resources available within the Children’s Hospital have been removed.
Emily A. Teitsworth | 6/23/2025
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