Omaha, Nebraska - CHI Health and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium team up to bring the zoo experience to patients who can’t leave the hospital.
A robot named Well-e will take therapy patients from the CHI Health Immanuel Rehabilitation Institute on a virtual field trip of the Zoo. Not only is it a part of the patients’ therapy, it’s also a way for them to enjoy the world-class zoo.
The virtual field trip robot Well-e will connect patients receiving therapy for spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries with animals of the world from their wheelchairs or hospital beds. Stroke patients also will be joining this “field trip” across the earth.
A Zoo docent will take patients on a guided tour of the new Asian Highlands where they will see everything from Indian rhinos and Snow leopards to Tufted deer and Sloth bears. The pilot program kicks off during National Rehabilitation Week and is part of an ongoing partnership between the Zoo and Immanuel Rehab.
Well-e could potentially help rehab patients “attend” games, family weddings and other events in the future.