By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter - Lethbridge News Now photo credits

Meet Chinook Regional Hospital’s Newest Companion

Feb 2, 2016 | 1:12 PM

LETHBRIDGE – Chinook Regional Hospital welcomed a new friend to the pediatric wing.

Chip is a specially designed robot used to help children with medical procedures, and provide fun companionship. He has limitless functions, from distracting kids while they get shots to playing soccer or giving high fives.

The robot was purchased for $18-thousand through the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation pediatric fund. Community members in coordination with Costco helped to raise the funds.

“We strive as a foundation to use community money to make the experience at the hospital a better one. When we get an opportunity like this to fund something that specifically helps the kids in the hospital, it’s something we’re really excited about it,” noted Executive Director of the Foundation, Jason VandenHoek.

The technology was first used at the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary. As Maria Malcolm, Child Life Specialist at Chinook, explained, a study found that the robots can reduce pain and anxiety by nearly 50-percent.

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Malcolm added that the children have taken to Chip very well, saying they can relate to him much better than adults in a scary hospital setting.

Sarah Carrier’s six-year old son, Kale, had to be in the hospital for blood tests over the past week. She’s happy to see a major improvement in his mood. “He had blood taken every couple of hours for the first couple of days… Even though he had blood taken, his next blood work here with Chip was a completely different experience. Big smile on his face and a good distraction.”

Chip is the first robot for Chinook Regional Hospital. They hope they can add more in the future to help more children, and possibly have them out in the community.