News

May 20, 2023

Therapy animals bring Taylor Swift's Eras Tour to patients at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital

Taylor Swift’s sold-out international tour has finally arrived in Los Angeles, but some dedicated fans, patients undergoing treatment at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, won’t be able to make it to a

Taylor Swift’s sold-out international tour has finally arrived in Los Angeles, but some dedicated fans, patients undergoing treatment at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, won’t be able to make it to a concert. To bring a taste of the highly anticipated tour to them, the therapy animals of UCLA Health’s People-Animal Connection (PAC) program donned Eras Tour costumes for a fashion show and a visit with young patients. The PAC Program is dedicated to fostering emotional healing for critically ill patients and families with the comfort and companionship therapy animals provide.

Johnese Spisso, president of UCLA Health, CEO of UCLA Hospital System and associate vice chancellor of UCLA Health Sciences, introduced the outdoor show and the animals took it from there – puppies and a miniature horse, alike, modeling glittery dresses, hats and outfits inspired by each of Swift’s 10 albums. After the show, the animals paraded through the hospital to Swift’s music, visiting patients and their families individually and gifting them tour merchandise and friendship bracelets.

Maanasi Kademani is the author of this article.

Learn more about UCLA Health's People-Animal Connection (PAC) program.