Medical Monkeys: A pilot community initiative providing educational crocheted monkeys with assistive devices to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario

Medical play is a powerful tool for engaging pediatric patients in understanding their health conditions, fostering autonomy, and improving therapeutic outcomes. The "Medical Monkeys" initiative introduces crocheted monkey toys equipped with 3D-printed assistive devices to represent various medical conditions and disabilities. These toys aim to promote psychoeducation, reduce anxiety, and enhance emotional resilience in children with visible disabilities who may be otherwise under-represented. Feedback from healthcare professionals and families highlights their therapeutic value in preparing children for medical procedures and supporting emotional well-being. Community support has enabled significant growth and scalability. Future directions include research to assess the impact and broader implementation across pediatric care settings. Additionally, we hope to further promote inclusion and support by providing toys to siblings and peers of pediatric patients, fostering empathy and understanding. This initiative demonstrates how inclusive therapeutic play can be a meaningful, community-driven tool to support pediatric patients and their families.