Meeting a Giraffe at the Philadelphia Zoo

Family Outing Celebrates Child’s Love of Animals

A lot of young children will say that the giraffe is their favorite animal. But one little girl recently had the chance to meet and feed a giraffe at the Philadelphia Zoo. The outing was young Masajay’s Gift of a Day.

Gift of a Day is one of Crossroad Hospice & Palliative Care’s signature patient programs where memorable experiences, driven by individual interest, are created for patients and their families.

Inspired by her patient’s love of animals, Crossroads in Philadelphia Social Worker Pauline Yeanay imagined a visit to a local zoo for Masajay, her parents and her four siblings, ages 16, 13, 7 and 2. When Pauline suggested the outing to Masajay’s parents they were thrilled, having never visited a zoo.

Pauline recruited Hospice Nurse Maroline Walaka to join the outing equipped with emergency medical supplies including oxygen, in case they were needed. 

Thanks to the Philadelphia Zoo, Masajay and her family were welcome to visit the Zoo at no charge. The Zoo even invited Masajay to feed one of the giraffes.

As the day wrapped up and every animal in the entire Philadelphia Zoo had been visited, Crossroads purchased a stuffed giraffe for Masajay as an enduring memento of her special day. 

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