Animals from the San Diego Zoo visited the Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach last Thursday, and what the children saw surprised them.

Two-year-old Christopher Leal is a patient Miller Children’s Hospital and has spent much of his short life in doctor's offices, but this is the first time he's seen exotic animals at the hospital.

Leal was diagnosed with leukemia last year, and got a stem cell transplant in April.

Because of the visit from the animals, for a few moments he got to do stuff other kids get to do during field trips or family outings - He got some close-up time with a sloth and an armadillo. Not only that, but he also got to feel some of the sea creatures from the Aquarium of the Pacific.

Of course, all these animals are not normally at Long Beach hospitals. This is a special visit.

Most kids in a hospital wouldn’t be able to see exotic animals like these in person, but now they’ve got the next best thing. The San Diego Zoo Kids channel, a freshly launched 24/7 kids-centered channel that's all about animals, is now available on every television at Miller Children’s Hospital. 

Senior animal trainer Aleia Scott has been Pokie the African Crested Porcupine's handler for close to 10 years, and says that she loves the attention. 

“She likes kids. She likes being in groups of people,” said Scott.

For Leal, a visit from the animals at the zoo was a unique treat. Even though his fight against his disease may not be over, at least for now, it's momentarily calmed.