Toronto 
Toronto Zoo has become the first zoo in Canada to collaborate with PaRx, Canada’s national nature prescription program, allowing healthcare professionals to prescribe visits to the zoo as a means to enhance mental and physical well-being.
Credit: Toronto Zoo
This groundbreaking initiative aims to connect the community with nature, capitalizing on the zoo’s location near Canada’s Rouge National Urban Park.
Per the news release, patients holding a PaRx prescription and matching ID can now enjoy a 50% discount on zoo admission on the day of their visit, fostering a unique opportunity to interact with over 290 species from seven geographical regions, including African lions and Masai giraffes.
PaRx was launched by the BC Parks Foundation in November 2020 in British Columbia, subsequently expanding nationwide by 2022.
PaRx says over 11,000 healthcare providers, comprising more than 5% of all physicians in Canada, have registered to prescribe time in nature for their patients, resulting in thousands of Canadians reconnecting with the natural world. This novel approach to healthcare encourages individuals to experience the therapeutic benefits of nature.
Those with PaRx prescriptions can also visit Parks Canada sites like national park, national historic site, or national marine conservation area for free.
