St. Joseph's Children's Hospital Patients Get "Trick-and-Treatment" During Special Halloween Parade

Pediatric patients and pet therapy dogs dressed in Halloween costumes spent the afternoon trick-or-treating throughout the hospital to get gifts, candy and trinkets.

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St. Joseph's Children's Hospital

Oct 31, 2016, 05:29 ET

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 31, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Superheroes, pint-sized princesses and Pokémon characters invaded the hallways of St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa today. Some came on foot, others arrived in little red wagons and wheelchairs, and all were in search of Halloween goodies.

The holiday fun was part of St. Joseph's Children's Hospital's annual Halloween parade, which is organized by the hospital's Child Life team.

Pediatric patients spending Halloween in the hospital loaded up on treats and fun during a special parade at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa on Monday, Oct. 31, 2016.

Patients at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa and their families celebrated Halloween by trick-or-treating throughout the hospital on Monday, Oct. 31, 2016.

"Dressing up and trick-or-treating is something kids shouldn't have to miss out on just because they are spending Halloween in the hospital," said Christi Schwichtenberg, child life supervisor at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital.

During the event, costumed team members manned decorated tables as pediatric patients, joined by siblings and other family members, went trick-or-treating throughout the hospital hallways.

"This event is just as much fun for the hospital staff as it is for the patients and families," Schwichtenberg adds. "Many of the hospital departments go all out with their table decorations and treats, and they love having a chance to interact with the kids this way."

To see photos from the Halloween parade, visit St. Joseph's Children's Hospital's Facebook page: Facebook.com/StJosephsChildrens.

About St. Joseph's Children's Hospital
As Tampa's only dedicated children's hospital, St. Joseph's Children's Hospital is committed to providing everything needed for the health and well-being of children. Part of the BayCare Health System, St. Joseph's Children's Hospital provides more acute medical and surgical pediatric care than all other hospitals in Hillsborough County. From the tiniest baby to the high school quarterback, patients are cared for by doctors who specialize in treating children, in surroundings designed exclusively for kids.

About BayCare Health System
BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 14 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. Inpatient and outpatient services include acute care, primary care, imaging, laboratory, behavioral health, home care, and wellness. Our mission is to improve the health of all we serve through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care. For more information, visit www.baycare.org.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161031/434497
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161031/434498

SOURCE St. Joseph's Children's Hospital