Mesick resident Aaliyah McIlroy, 11, visits with a hedgehog from John Ball Zoo at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Grand Rapids resident Saydee Vasquez, 5, visits with a screech owl from John Ball Zoo. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
A scorpion was among the three animals visiting from the zoo. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Zeeland resident Alex Karsten, 6, his mother, Cara, and younger brother, Tyler, 4, take photos of a screech owl. Alex is being treated for orbital cellulitis. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Wayland resident Alexander Page, 2, visits with a hedgehog. Alex is being treated for tonsillitis. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Mancelona resident Holly Miller, 14, looks at a scorpion through a terrarium. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Six Lakes resident Janie Seaman, 17, visits with a screech owl. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
John Ball Zoo volunteer Betty Sobel, 75, and a screech owl visit with 2-year-old Alexander Page. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
A hedgehog was among the three animals visiting from the zoo. He was a fan favorite. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Caledonia resident Leland Austin, 7, visits with a screech owl. Leland had a recent open heart surgery. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
John Ball Zoo volunteer Betty Sobel, 75, and a screech owl visit with 2-year-old Alexander Page. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Newberry resident Tempest Sutherland, 16, visits with a screech owl. Tempest is being treated for nephrotic syndrome. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Zoo volunteers Betty Sobel and Sunny Sjaarda’s daughter, Vickie Sjaarda, who filled in for her mother this month, brought an entourage that consisted of a scorpion, hedgehog and screech owl.
Grand Rapids resident Saydee Vasquez, 5, practiced her “hoo-hoo” sound while she learned about the screech owl from Sobel.
Aside from Saydee, dozens of children had the opportunity to visit, ask questions and learn fun facts.
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