[Zizka]

NEW YORK - Stephen Ringold is a clown facing a tough audience — a sick child in a hospital room who needs holiday cheer. For a few minutes, Stephany Nieto sits on her mother's lap, suspiciously eyeing the tall man with the red-and-white checkered shoes half-hiding behind the curtain. Smiling doesn't come easily to the little girl, who her mother says is being examined for a serious illness called moyamoya, an rare inflammation of the brain arteries that can cause seizures and paralysis.

Hospital clowns boost sick kids' spirits - Yahoo! News

[tvccrn]

Our pediatric unit has had a clown visiting the kids for years. And Sunshine is always a big hit. Kids of all ages love her!

tvccrn

[JVanRN]

Personally clowns give me the willies...but it's a sweet story. I'm glad it helps cheers the kiddos up.

[fiestynurse]

This is very similar to the Raggedy Anne and Andy Patient Care Program that was featured on "60 Minutes" a while back.

http://www.adventuresincaring.org/se..._program.shtml

[weekend warrior]

I work in a pediatric hospital and it's a great program, we also have special dogs that come to visit the children which they love.
I heard there is now a program for therapeutic clowns in schools, can't remember which countries have this diploma progam. Wonder if they get paid more than us?
Probably...

Personally our clowns freak me out. They are always in 'character' even if you are alone with them with no one else around. Trying to make you laugh or something.. go away!

[sunnyjohn]

...

Israel's University of Haifa started offering a bachelor's degree in medical clowning this year....

Big Apple Circus - Community Programs - Clown Care (SM)

[Barb101]

In the orthopedic ward full of adults I must add all enjoyed the visit by the clowns. some even sang along to a popular christmas song. Please dont knock the clowns after all they only clowning around