Reuniting Hospitalized Children with the Pets They Love Most

For many children facing long hospital stays, being separated from a beloved dog or cat can be one of the most difficult parts of their medical journey.

Brave Pets helps reunite hospitalized children with their own family pets through our Mobile Family Pet Reunion Centers. These safe, welcoming spaces allow children with complex medical conditions to spend meaningful time with the animals they love, helping reduce isolation, strengthen emotional well-being, and create moments of joy during treatment and recovery.

Whether a child is navigating a chronic illness, extended hospitalization, or complex medical condition, we believe the comfort of a family pet can make a powerful difference.

Can hospitalized children visit their pets?

Brave Pets works with participating children’s hospitals to help reunite eligible patients with their own family pets in a safe and controlled environment.

Why are pet reunions important for hospitalized children?

Research shows that interactions with beloved pets can reduce stress, provide emotional comfort, and help children feel connected to life outside the hospital.

What is a Mobile Family Pet Reunion Center?

A Mobile Family Pet Reunion Center is a specially designed space that allows hospitalized children to spend meaningful time with their own dog or cat during an extended hospital stay.

Because Friends Make Us Braver

Children with complex medical conditions, chronic illnesses, disabilities, and other medical challenges often miss out on the everyday adventures, friendships, and experiences their peers enjoy.

Brave Friends Adventures helps change that by giving Brave Kids the chance to experience unforgettable outings with someone they love by their side, whether that is a best friend, sibling, or close family member.

From sporting events and amusement parks to indoor skydiving and other inclusive adventures, each experience is designed around the child’s interests, abilities, and needs. Together, Brave Kids and their chosen friend can build confidence, make lasting memories, and remember that courage is never found alone.

How do inclusive experiences benefit children with medical challenges?

Children facing medical challenges can sometimes miss out on opportunities to participate in activities with their peers. Inclusive experiences help build confidence, encourage social connections, reduce feelings of isolation, and create opportunities for children to focus on friendship, fun, and belonging rather than their diagnosis.

Who can participate in Brave Friends Adventures?

Brave Friends Adventures is designed for children with complex medical conditions, chronic illnesses, disabilities, and other medical challenges. This may include children facing conditions such as childhood cancer, congenital heart defects, cystic fibrosis, rare diseases, neurological disorders, genetic conditions, physical disabilities, and other ongoing medical needs.

Eligibility may vary by event to ensure each experience is safe, accessible, and enjoyable for all participants.

Can children bring a friend or sibling?

Yes. Every Brave Kid is invited to bring a best friend, sibling, or another important person in their life. We believe friends make us braver, and many of our adventures are designed to be shared with someone special. These shared experiences help children build confidence, strengthen relationships, and create lasting memories together.

Can Brave Friends Adventures come to my city?

Brave Friends Adventures are currently offered in select communities, but we are always exploring opportunities to expand.

If you know a Brave Kid, children’s hospital, nonprofit organization, community group, or sponsor that could benefit from a Brave Friends Adventure, we would love to hear from you. Reach out to us at bravefriends@bebrave.org to start a conversation about bringing a Brave Friends Adventure to your community.