TV Bears International provides friendly character appearances for children’s hospitals, pediatric care settings and community organizations across Southern California. Our goal is simple: use the character experience and resources available to us to help create a positive moment during what may otherwise be a difficult day.
Characters Designed to Bring a Little Fun to the Day
Our hospital outreach program is separate from the realistic animal doubles and creature suits we provide for film, television and commercial productions.
For children’s hospitals and community visits, we focus on friendly, approachable animal characters and suitable family characters available through TV Bears International and our wider professional network.
Every costumed character is accompanied by a dedicated handler throughout the appearance. The handler works directly with hospital staff, assists the actor with movement and visibility, monitors the environment and helps ensure the visit remains comfortable for everyone involved.
Southern California Areas We Cover
Our Southern California outreach program covers Greater Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Orange County and communities east toward Riverside.
Los Angeles
- Los Angeles
- Hollywood
- Toluca Lake
- Burbank
- Glendale
- Pasadena
Valleys & Santa Clarita
- San Fernando Valley
- Van Nuys
- Tarzana
- Northridge
- Santa Clarita
- Valencia
Orange County to Riverside
- Long Beach
- Orange County
- Orange
- Irvine
- Mission Viejo
- Riverside and surrounding areas
Outside these areas? Please still get in touch. Wider Southern California appearances may be possible depending on the program, character and schedule.
A Hospital-Led Approach
Every appearance is arranged in advance. We work around the hospital or organization rather than expecting the hospital to work around us.
- Child Life, infection-control and visitor policies always take priority.
- The proposed character is approved by the hospital before the appearance.
- Characters do not wander through clinical areas without permission or an escort.
- Children are free to interact, wave from a distance or simply watch.
- Physical interaction is never forced.
- Every character has a dedicated handler throughout the visit.
- Hospital staff remain in control of the appearance at all times.
Photography & Privacy
Photography and video are off by default. A character appearance does not depend on publicity, photographs or social media coverage.
If a hospital gives permission for limited photography or video, we follow its privacy, consent and media procedures first. Individual family permission must also be obtained where required.
Any approved material would only be used to document our community outreach in a portfolio-style context, such as a TV Bears International news article, program page or social update. There is no commercial filming element to the visit.
Professional, Planned & Hospital-Led
We understand that a hospital character visit requires more than a great costume. Every appearance is planned around the policies, needs and comfort of the organization inviting us.
Dedicated Handler
Every costumed character is accompanied by a dedicated handler who remains present throughout the appearance and acts as the primary point of contact with hospital staff.
Approved in Advance
The proposed character is approved by the hospital or organization before the visit. Staff know who and what will be arriving before an appearance takes place.
Privacy First, Always
Photography and video are never assumed. Hospital policy, patient privacy and family consent always come first, and visits can take place entirely without cameras.
Before the Visit
Where required, TV Bears International is happy to comply with hospital credentialing, background checks, vaccination requirements, visitor screening and other reasonable facility-specific requirements.
We can provide a visit plan in advance so the hospital has a clear overview of the proposed appearance before it is confirmed.
A Visit Plan Can Include
- Proposed character
- Character handler
- Arrival and departure time
- Changing space requirements
- Approximate appearance duration
- Proposed route or appearance area
Clinical Areas & Patient Needs Come First
Gifts, food, balloons, props or other items are never introduced into clinical or patient areas without prior approval from the hospital.
Hospital staff remain in control of the visit at all times. An appearance may be paused, changed, shortened or canceled if patient needs, infection-control requirements, clinical activity or other operational circumstances make that necessary.
The comfort and safety of patients, families and staff always take priority over completing a planned appearance.
Character & Licensing Notice
TV Bears International does not own or claim licensing rights to third-party copyrighted or trademarked characters. Where a recognizable third-party character is requested or appears as part of a visit, that appearance is coordinated through an independent third-party vendor responsible for confirming the rights, permissions or authorization applicable to the character it provides. Availability is subject to confirmation, and TV Bears International does not represent itself as the owner or licensor of third-party intellectual property.
Our own original and non-branded animal characters may also be available depending on the nature of the visit. Hospitals and organizations are welcome to discuss character suitability with us before confirming an appearance.
Interested in Hosting a Character Visit?
For Child Life, Community Relations, Volunteer Services and Hospital Communications Teams
We welcome inquiries from children’s hospitals, pediatric departments, healthcare organizations and suitable community programs throughout Southern California.
We are happy to provide program information, character details, proposed visit logistics and other reasonable documentation before an appearance is confirmed.
Initial inquiries are simply an opportunity to establish whether the program is suitable for your facility. There is no obligation to proceed with a visit.
Email: communitycare@tvbears.org
Website: tvbears.org
What Our Community Partners Say
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“TESTIMONIAL”
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TV Bears International | Southern California & International Operations
Because sometimes, you just need a bear.