The Cat Immersion Project, part of the Seattle Children's Hospital's creative arts program for cancer patients, involved bringing thousands of virtual kitties to the hospital room of Maga Barzallo Sockemtickem. Sockemtickem, a 16-year-old cancer patient, has had to spend a lot of time at the hospital for treatment, which has prevented her from seeing her cat Merry.
However, the staff at the Seattle Children's Hospital sent out a call on Facebook for people to post their favorite feline photos. The campaign brought in over 3,000 pictures, in addition to comments and messages. The staff then put together an audiovisual presentation, using a tent made out of bed sheets, in Sockemtickem's room that showcased all of the cat photos, along with pictures of Merry.
As Wired reports, Sockemtickem wrote of the Cat Immersion Project on the hospital's blog: ""I can't tell you how it feels sometimes, feeling disconnected and cut off from the world, and then with something like cat pictures bringing me back."
Virtual Pet Installations
Hospital Brings Felines to Cancer Patient for 'Cat Immersion Project'
Trend Themes
1. Creative Arts Therapy - The use of creative arts, such as virtual pet installations, in healthcare settings to enhance patients' emotional well-being and connection to the outside world.
2. Virtual Community Engagement - Harnessing the power of social media and online communities to bring a sense of belonging and support to individuals facing isolation or limited mobility.
3. Personalized Immersive Experiences - Creating customized audiovisual presentations that cater to individual needs and preferences, offering a personalized escape and emotional connection.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare - Implementing creative arts programs and virtual pet installations in hospitals to improve patients' experiences and well-being
2. Social Media - Leveraging social media platforms to gather user-generated content and create meaningful virtual experiences for individuals in need
3. Entertainment - Exploring opportunities to develop immersive media experiences, combining visuals, sound, and personalization, to provide emotional engagement and escape.