♪.

TED: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," DETAILS OF A LAWSUIT AGAINST PROP 211 WHICH ADDS ADDITIONAL DISCLOSOUR SOME CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

>>> WE'LL HEAR ABOUT A PROGRAM THAT INVOLVES COUNTY INMATES HELPING CARE FOR ABUSED ANIMALS.

>>> AND A LOOK AT A CHILDREN'S PHOENIX THERAPEUTIC SPACE WHERE KIDS CAN BE KIDS.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

.

TED: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

THE STATE SUPREME COURT IS SET TO HEAR A CASE INVOLVING PROPOSITION 211 PASSED BY VOTERS IN 2022.

THE LAW REQUIRES PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS DONATING TO POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS TO DISCLOSE WHO THEY ARE AND HOW MUCH THEY DONATED, BUT OPPONENTS OF THE MEASURE ARGUE THAT SUCH DISCLOSURE VIOLATES FREE SPEECH RIGHTS.

STATE COURT OF APPEALS REJECTED THOSE CLAIMS BUT THE HIGHEST COURT AGREED TO TAKE UP THE CASE.

WE'LL HEAR FROM THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE LAW TOMORROW NIGHT, BUT TONIGHT FORMER ARIZONA SUPREME COURT JUSTICE ANDREW GOULD JOINS US, REPRESENTING THOSE OPPOSED TO PROP 211.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, TED, GOOD TO SEE YOU, TOO.

>> THIS WAS PASSED BY 70% OF THE VOTERS, THEY WANTED DARK MONEY OUT OF THE WAY.

WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE LAW REQUIRE IN TERMS OF MONEY AMOUNTS?

>> SO WHAT IT DOES IS REQUIRES DISCLOSURE ON WHAT ARE CALLED INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES.

THESE ARE DONATIONS TO NONPROFITS.

IT'S BEEN THE LAW FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, WHEN YOU GIVE TO A CANDIDATE DIRECTLY OR GIVE TO THE CANDIDATE COMMITTEE, YOUR NAME IS DISCLOSED.

THIS REACHES INTO NONPROFITS LIKE CENTER FOR ARIZONA POLICY FOR ENTERPRISE CLUB AND REQUIRES DISCLOSURE NOT OF DONORS OVER 5,000 BUT GOES UPSTREAM AND GETS ORIGINAL DONORS AS LOW AS $2,500.

TED: I SAW $50,000 LIMIT ON STATE CAMPAIGNS AND 25 ON LOCAL CAMPAIGNS?

>> THAT'S FOR THE ORGANIZATION, CALLED THE COVERED PERSON.

TED: YES.

>> ONCE THE ORGANIZATION HITS 50,000, THE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS KICK IN.

TED: THE CASE INVOLVES TWO ANONYMOUS DONORS THAT WE'RE SEEING HERE?

>> TWO ANONYMOUS DONORS AND TWO ORGANIZATIONS.

TED: OKAY, THE APPEALS COURT, RIGHT TO WHAT THE APPEALS COURT SAID, THEY'RE SAYING NEITHER OF THESE COMPLAINTS, THEY DIDN'T ALLEGE ANY DONOR HARASSMENT, WHICH IS KIND OF AT THE CRUX OF YOUR POSITION, IS IT NOT?

>> IT IS, TED.

UNDER THE CONSTITUTION, IF YOU CAN SHOW RETALIATION FOR YOUR DONATIONS, THEN HAVE YOU WHAT'S CALLED AS APPLIED CHALLENGE, YOU CAN GET EXEMPTION FROM THE LAW.

I DON'T THINK IT TAKES GREAT KNOWLEDGE TO UNDERSTAND THE ACRIMONY IN TODAY'S POLITICS.

WHEN YOU FORCE DISCLOSURE AS THIS LAWS DOES OF PEOPLE'S EMPLOYMENT, HOME ADDRESS, THEIR NAMES, THEY FACE RETALIATION.

I DISAGREE WITH THE COURT OF APPEALS.

THE RECORD WAS REPLETE WITH DEATH THREATS AND VANDALISM.

IT WAS SO BAD THEY HAD TO HIRE PRIVATE SECURITY.

FOR WHATEVER REASON, THE COURT WASN'T CONVINCED BY THAT.

IF YOU COMPARE THE THREATS AND THE RETALIATION AND HARASSMENT OCCURRED HERE, IT MORE THAN MEETS THE STANDARD.

>> THE COURT SAID THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF HARASSMENT AND NO EVIDENCE OF A CHILLING EFFECT.

HOW DO YOU SQUARE THAT?

>> I DEGREE.

THERE WERE AFFIDAVITS, THERE WAS TESTIMONY, DEPOSITION TESTIMONY, FROM WITNESSES WHO SAID THEY RECEIVED DEATH THREATS.

THEY RECEIVED RECORDINGS.

THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE BUILDINGS.

IT'S JUST NOT -- DOESN'T SQUARE WITH THE RECORD.

SOME OF WHAT THE COURT OF APPEALS SAID IS THIS IS JUST POLITICAL SPEECH.

WELL, THAT MAY BE, BUT WHETHER IT'S POLITICAL SPEECH, YOU CAN'T RETALIATE AGAINST PEOPLE AND THREATEN THEM UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.

TED: THE TWO ANONYMOUS DONORS DID THEY EXPERIENCE HARASSMENT AND RETALIATION?

>> NO, BUT THERE'S A FUNDAMENTAL PLANK HERE TO BE MADE.

WHEN YOU THREATEN AN ORGANIZATION, YOU CHILL OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION.

THINK OF IT THIS WAY.

IF YOU CONTRIBUTED TO AN ORGANIZATION AND FOUND OUT ANOTHER MEMBER HAD A MOLOTOV COCKTAIL THROWN THROUGH THEIR WINDOW BECAUSE THEY'RE A MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZATION, IT WOULD PROBABLY DISCOURAGE YOU FROM GIVING TO THE ORGANIZATION.

THAT'S WHAT THE LAW SAYS, WHAT THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT SAYS, IF YOU THREATEN FREE SPEECH AGAINST AN ORGANIZATION OR MEMBERS, THAT'S RETALIATION.

TED: THAT GOES AGAINST THE RULING WHICH A JUDGE SAID NO EVIDENCE THAT THE SUITS WITH THE STATES, COINCIDES WITH THE STATES, INTEREST IN HAVING INFORMED ELECTORATE.

HOW CAN YOU HAVE AN INFORMED ELECTORATE IF WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING FROM?

>> THE DISCLOSURE RULES IN TERMS OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE ARE TYPICALLY BASED ON AN ANTI-CORRUPTION INTEREST.

IN OTHER WORDS, GIVING ONE PERSON GIVING TOO MUCH MONEY TO A CANDIDATE, THE CONCERN IS THAT THE CANDIDATE, WHEN THEY GET IN OFFICE, WILL BE CONTROLLED.

INFORMATIONAL INTEREST IS VERY BROAD, BUT HERE'S THE PROBLEM WITH THE INFORMATIONAL INTEREST UNDER THE STATUTE, TED.

THE STATUTE IS WRITTEN SO BROADLY, IT SWEEPS EVERYONE WHO GIVES TO THE NONPROFITS.

PEOPLE WHO GIVE FOR ISSUE ADVOCACY OR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO CONTRIBUTE MONEY TO DEVELOP POLICY, IT TRACES BACK ANYTHING THAT IS IN ANY WAY RELATED OR IN PREPARATION FOR SOME OF THIS CAMPAIGN MEDIA SPENDING.

NO ONE UNDERSTANDS WHERE TO DRAW THE LINE, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE.

TED: JUDGE SILVER SAID THERE IS A STRONG GOVERNMENTAL INTEREST KNOWING WHO IS FUNDING CAMPAIGN MEDIA SPENDING.

THERE'S A STRONG GOVERNMENTAL INTEREST.

GOT A POINT THERE?

>> THERE IS, BUT WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE?

PEOPLE MAY WANT TO KNOW THINGS THAT WHAT'S THE RACE, WHAT'S THE SEX, WHAT'S THE ORGANIZATION THE PERSON BELONGS TO?

THOSE MIGHT HELP PEOPLE DECIDE WHO'S CONTRIBUTING, BUT WE DON'T ALLOW.

THAT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN SOMEBODY GIVING TO A NONPROFIT, JUST TO ENGAGE IN ISSUE ADVOCACY AND THINGS THEY BELIEVE IN AND DISCLOSING THEIR NAMES, IT'S A VERY TANGENTIAL INTEREST, AND THE LAW REQUIRES THAT RELATIONSHIP TO BE VERY SUBSTANTIAL AND TIGHT.

HERE, IT COVERS VIRTUALLY ANY DONATION TO A NONPROFIT.

TED: CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, DO THE FOUNDERS NOT REQUIRE DISCLOSURE OF -- STATE FOUNDERS, WAS THAT IN THE CONSTITUTION?

>> ONLY FOR CAMPAIGNS AND CANDIDATES.

IT DOES NOT INCLUDE BALLOT INITIATIVES LIKE THIS LAW DOES, OR INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES, SPECIFICALLY DOESN'T INCLUDE IT.

TED: DO YOU THINK IT WAS INTENDED NOT TO INCLUDE THOSE THINGS OR NOT AS BIG A FACTOR AS THEY ARE NOW?

>> DO I BECAUSE AT THE TIME THERE WAS ALTERNATIVE PROPOSITION OFFERED, IT WAS CALLED PROPOSITION 70.

AND IN THAT, A MUCH MORE EXPANSIVE LAW, IT COVERED ALL CONTRIBUTIONS TO INFLUENCE ANY ELECTION, AND THE FOUNDERS REJECTED THAT IN 1912, AND CHOSE A MUCH MORE NARROW PROVISION.

SO BY REJECTING IT, AND PICKING A MORE LIMITED PROVISION, I THINK THAT'S WHAT THEY MEANT TO DO.

TED: FOR THOSE WHO WOULD AGREE WITH YOU THAT IF A MOLOTOV COCKTAIL GOES THROUGH SOMEONE'S WINDOW BECAUSE THEY DONATE TO XYZ, SOMEONE MAY NOT WANT TO DONATE TO XYZ.

THE TRIAL COURT SAID THERE IS NO RIGHT TO HIDE, A RIGHT TO HIDE, FOR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE RIGHT TO HIDE MEANS.

WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT THERE IS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO ANONYMOUS POLITICAL SPEECH.

THE FEDERALIST PAPERS WERE ALL ANONYMOUS.

IN 1912 WHEN THE INITIATIVE FOR WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE WAS ON THE BALLOT, ALL THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE INITIATIVE WERE ANONYMOUS.

WHEN THE ANTI-SALOON LEAGUE WANTED TO PUT PROHIBITION ON THE BALLOT, ALL THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE INITIATIVE WERE ANONYMOUS.

WE HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF ANONYMOUS SPEECH, AND I WOULD GO FURTHER, THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WE ADOPTED A SECRET BALLOT SO PEOPLE CAN VOTE ANONYMOUSLY, NOT FACE RETALIATION.

TED: IN TERMS OF INFLUENCING ELECTIONS, WHY SHOULD PEOPLE INFLUENCE ELECTIONS IN SECRET?

>> WELL, WE INFLUENCE ELECTIONS IN MANY WAYS.

SOME OF IT IS THROUGH CONTRIBUTION, SOME OF IT IS THROUGH ANONYMOUS PAPERS, BUT PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN EXPRESSIVE ASSOCIATION WITH GROUPS THEY SUPPORT, AND THERE'S A RIGHT TO AVOID RETALIATION.

IN THIS DAY AND AGE, IF YOU SUPPORT ONE PARTY OR ANOTHER, ONE CAUSE OR ANOTHER, YOU FACE DOXXING, SOCIAL OSTRACISM, YOU FACE DESTRUCTION AND VIOLENCE, NOW MORE THAN EVER, THERE HAS TO BE A VEHICLE FOR PEOPLE TO CONTRIBUTE ANONYMOUSLY.

TED: AND AGAIN, WE'RE GOING TO GET THE OTHER SIDE TOMORROW.

I THINK THE OTHER SIDE WOULD SAY IT'S THE APPEALS COURT DECISION, WITHOUT DISCLOSURE, THE PUBLIC COULD NEVER EVALUATE THE TRUE SOURCE OF THE FUNDS HIDDEN BY FILTERING THROUGH FRONT GROUPS OR INTERMEDIARIES.

>> WE HAVE A LONG TRADITION THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO GET TO NONPROFITS WITHOUT HAVING THEIR NAMES DISCLOSED.

IF YOU WANT TO STRIP THAT AWAY, WE'LL LESSEN THE AMOUNT OF SPEECH IN THE COUNTRY.

THE IDEA WE WANT FULL AND ROBUST DISCUSSION ON POLITICAL ISSUES, THAT'S WHAT WE WANT IN THIS COUNTRY.

DOXXING PEOPLE AND DISCLOSING THEIR NAMES ONLY SILENCES PEOPLE.

>> THE FULL AND ROBUST DISCUSSION SHOULD NOT NECESSARILY INCLUDE WHO IS SPONSORING THE FULL AND ROBUST DISCUSSION.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

TED: ANDREW GOULD, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> MY PLEASURE.

TED: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

.

>> THE MARICOPA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ANIMAL SAFE HAVEN PROGRAM OFFERS INMATES THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP CARE FOR AND REHABILITATE ABUSED ANIMALS WITH THE GOAL OF NURTURING THE ANIMALS BACK TO HEALTH AND ADOPTING THEM OUT TO FOREVER HOMES.

TERRELL SHELINE IS OPERATOR OF THE SAFE HAVEN UNIT AND WE'RE ALSO JOINED BY LULU, THAT IS A GREAT DOG.

THAT IS A SWEETHEART OF A DOG.

>> YES, SHE IS.

TED: ALL RIGHT.

THE MISSION OF THE -- I'M TOTALLY TAKEN BY THE MISSION OF THE SAFE HAVEN UNIT.

WHAT IS THE GOAL HERE?

>> THE GOAL OF THE MASH UNIT WAS SET UP BY SHERIFF ARPAIO, IT WAS DESIGNED TO TAKE IN ABUSED AND NEGLECTED ANIMALS AS LIVE EVIDENCE IN COURT CASES, WHILE THE COURT CASES ARE GOING ON, WE HOLD THEM, REHABILITATE THE ANIMALS UNTIL SUCH TIME -- NO, NO, NO.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> SHE DECIDES NOW TO ACT UP.

SHE'S BEEN SUCH A SWEETHEART.

>> SHE'S A LITTLE BORED.

SORRY.

TED: SO FOR CASES ONLY AND THEN IT EXPANDED FROM THERE?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

SO IT BECAME -- WE HAD TO FIND A WAY TO USE THE ANIMALS WE HAVE TO GET A PROGRAM FOR WORKING INMATES.

SO STARTED OUT WITH FEMALE WORKING INMATES THAT DEAL WITH DOGS, CATS, DOMESTIC INMATES WHEREAS THE MALE INMATES DEAL WITH LIVESTOCK ANIMALS, HORSES, GOATS AND OTHER ANIMALS -- I KNOW, BABY, I'M SORRY.

TED: SHE'S PUTTING ON A SHOW.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO UTILIZE THAT AS A PROGRAM FOR WORKING IMAGE TO GAIN SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT FOR THE FUTURE ONCE THEY GET OUT OF JAIL AND CUSTODY.

TED: WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ANIMALS IN A SECOND, YOU, TOO, LULU.

AS FAR AS THE INMATES ARE CONCERNED, LITTLE REHAB THERE TOO, HUH?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHILE WE'RE REHABILITATING THE ANIMALS AND THE INMATES ARE REHABILITATING THE ANIMALS, IT'S REHABILITATING THEMSELVES.

MOST OF THEM COME FROM BROKEN HOMES, DRUG USE, THINGS LIKE THAT, AND DON'T KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.

WHILE THEY'RE TAKING CARE OF THE ANIMALS, THEY LEARN SELF-RESPECT AND TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.

TED: LET'S TALK ABOUT LULU HERE.

TALK ABOUT LULU'S LIFE.

WHAT DOES SHE EXPERIENCE AND WHAT IS SHE EXPERIENCING NOW?

>> LULU CAME FROM A CASE OF A DECEASED OWNER THAT WAS IN SUN CITY.

WE TOOK OWNERSHIP OF HER.

NEXT OF KIN WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF HER, THAT PERSON SIGNED HER OVER TO US.

AS I SAID, MOST CASES SHE WOULD JUST COME IN AS EVIDENCE IN ABUSE/NEGLECT.

THIS IS ONE OF THE OTHER SERVICES FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

AS SHE COMES IN, THE INMATES WORK WITH HER, REHABILITATE HER.

WE HAVE ANIMAL CARE TECHES THAT DEAL WITH MAINTAINING THE HEALTH VACCINES, WORK WITH CONTRACTED VETS.

WHILE SHE'S WITH US, THE INMATES LEARN ABOUT KENNEL CLEANING, ANIMAL DISEASES, HOW TO TAKE CARE OF ANIMALS AND GROOMING ALSO, WE SET UP A GROOMING PROGRAM.

TED: I WAS GOING TO ASK HOW THE INMATES ARE VETTED FOR THE PROGRAM?

>> IT'S ONE OF THE ONLY JOBS IN THE MCSO WHERE WE DO AN INTERVIEW PROCESS.

INMATES PUT IN FOR THEM, WE INTERVIEW THEM, WE GO THROUGH THEIR CHARGES AND THINGS LIKE THAT -- I KNOW.

WE GO THROUGH THE CHARGES TO FIND OUT, TO SEE WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO BE.

WE DON'T WANT ANYBODY WITH EXTREMELY VIOLENT CRIMINALS -- IT'S NOT TIME TO PLAY RIGHT NOW, LULU.

TED: THAT'S WHAT YOU THINK.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE GO THROUGH A VETTING PROCESS AND THE SAME THING FOR THE MALE INMATES THAT THEY GO INTERVIEW.

ONCE THE INMATES COMPLETE THE PROGRAM, WE GIVE THEM A RESUME THAT THEY CAN TAKE TO A FUTURE EMPLOYER AND THEY'RE FREE TO CALL US AND WE CAN GIVE THEM MORE DETAILS AS WELL AS THE WORKERS, SO WE CAN GIVE THEM MORE OF A FRESH START ALSO.

TED: AS FAR AS A FRESH START, THESE DOGS ARE UP FOR ADOPTION, ARE THEY NOT?

>> ABSOLUTELY THEY ARE.

ONCE THEY'RE THE PROPERTY OF THE MASH UNIT, WE GET THEM UP FOR ADOPTION -- I KNOW YOU'RE BORED, I'M SORRY.

TED: HOLY SMOKES, LET'S MOVE THE TABLE OUT OF THE WAY.

SHE'S CERTAINLY ACTIVE.

ALL TERRIERS ARE ACTIVE.

I USED TO HAVE A BULL TERRIER, PUT A TETHER BALL UP AND THE THING WILL BE HAPPY FOR THE NEXT FIVE HOURS OR SOMETHING.

>> I KNOW.

TED: SHE LOOKS IN GOOD SHAPE.

>> SHE IS.

USUALLY SHE'S A LITTLE MORE WELL BEHAVED, I THINK IT'S JUST A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT.

TED: YEAH, YEAH.

>> ONCE THE ANIMALS BECOME OUR PROPERTY, WE PUT THEM UP FOR ADOPTION, WE TRY TO GET TO DIFFERENT EVENTS.

WE HAVE A FACEBOOK SITE, MCSO MASH UNIT, AS WELL AS THE PET FINDER ACCOUNTS WHICH KEEP UP WITH THE ANIMALS WE HAVE UP FOR ADOPTION.

TED: THEY ARE UP FOR ADOPTION THROUGH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, NOT A SHELTER?

OR DO YOU WORK IN TANDEM WITH SHELTERS?

>> NOPE.

WE DON'T WORK.

THE MASH UNIT IS ITS OWN ENTITY.

WE PUT THEM UP FOR ADOPTION.

WE GET INVITED TO DIFFERENT ADOPTION EVENTS WHICH WE PUT ON THE FACEBOOK SITE SO PEOPLE KNOW WHERE THEY'RE AT.

ALL THE MONEY WE GET FROM DONATIONS, WE DO NOT HAVE SET FEES, IT'S DONATIONS ONLY, BUT EVERYTHING GOES TO HELP FOR THE CARE OF OUR ANIMALS.

>> YEAH, YEAH, LAST QUESTION HERE.

RESULTS YOU'VE SEEN FROM INMATES.

RESULTS YOU'VE SEEN FROM THE LULUS OF THE WORLD?

>> AMAZING DIFFERENCE, ESPECIALLY ANIMALS FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT TO BUILD THE TRUST WHERE THEY CAN TRUST PEOPLE.

IT'S AMAZING, INCREDIBLE, IT'S KIND OF HEART BREAKING FOR US WHEN WE SEE THEM FROM THE WORST, WE HELP REHABILITATE THEM, WORK WITH THE INMATES TO HELP REHABILITATE THEM.

IT'S HEART-WRENCHING FOR YOU BUT YOU'RE HAPPY AT THE SAME TIME.

AND THE WORKERS, IT'S THE SAME WAY, MOSTLY FOR THEM.

MOST OF OUR WORKERS DO NOT COME BACK TO JAIL, THE RECIDIVISM RATE IS LOW.

WE TRY TO GET THEM A FRESH START ONCE THEY LEAVE THE FACILITY.

TED: TERRELL SHELINE WITH THE STAR OF THE SHOW, LULU, I'M GUESSING LULU WILL FIND A FOREVER HOME SHORTLY.

>> ABSOLUTELY, WE'VE HAD HER A YEAR NOW.

TED: THANK YOU, BOTH.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

.

TED: PHOENIX CHILDREN'S LIFE ZONE CHILD LIFE ZONE IS A THERAPEUTIC SPACE WHERE KIDS CAN BE SPACE, A PROCEDURE-FREE AREA THAT GIVES PATIENTS AND FAMILIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY TIME TOGETHER IN A FUN AND COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT.

TO TELL US MORE, WE WELCOME JESSICA BRYSON, CHILD LIFE SUPERVISOR AT PHOENIX CHILDREN'S, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

TED: YOU HAVE OTHER FRIENDS HERE.

>> I DO.

TED: THE CHILD LIFE ZONE, THE THOMAS ROAD CAMPUS?

>> YES.

TED: GIVE US A BETTER DEVMISSION.

>> A STATE OF THE ART PLACE WHERE KIDS CAN BE KIDS, WE CALL IT THE HAPPIEST PLACE IN THE HOSPITAL.

THERE IS EVERYTHING THERE, FOOSBALL, VIDEO GAMES, COOKING CLASSES, CRAFTS, WE HAVE OUR OWN STUDIO, WE'RE DOING CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION THROUGHOUT THE HOSPITAL.

ANY TIME WE HAVE A CELEBRITY, A SPORTS TEAM, THAT'S WHERE WE BRING THEM.

TED: OKAY, A THERAPEUTIC SPACE, YOU SAID IT'S STATE OF THE ART.

WHAT MAKES IT STATE OF THE ART?

>> WE HAVE AMAZING TECHNOLOGY IN THERE.

ANYTHING NEW AND UPCOMING WE HAVE.

WE HAVE THE VR SYSTEMS.

THE STUDIO IS AMAZING, ANYTHING YOU WANT TO DO IN THERE, WE CAN HOST SHOWS IN THERE, PUT ON CONCERTS IN THAT SPACE.

IT'S REALLY AMAZING.

TED: SO THAT PART OF THE CREATE ASPECT, PLAYING AND LEARNING AND CREATING.

ARCADE GAMES, PIN BALL, HOCKEY, POOL, YOU GOT IT ALL THERE, HUH?

>> PLAY IS HOW CHILDREN LEARN.

JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE IN THE HOSPITAL DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T WANT THEM TO BE KIDS.

THIS IS A PLACE TO GO TO BE KIDS.

WE'RE HELPING THEM OUT, WE EXPLAIN THINGS TO THEM.

WE HAVE THINGS IN THE ZONE TO TEACH THAT TO THEM.

WE HAVE A BIG SCREEN THAT SHOWS A PATIENT ON IT AND CAN PUSH IT AND SHOW WHAT AN X-RAY IS, WHAT AN I.V.

IS, ALL THESE THINGS IN THAT SPACE, SO THEY CAN LEARN ABOUT THEIR DIAGNOSIS AND JUST BE KIDS.

TED: I LOVE THE IDEA OF SPORTS LOCKERS WITH PRO APPAREL AND EQUIPMENT.

>> YEAH, SIGNED BY THE GUESTS THAT COME IN.

TED: YEAH.

LEARNING.

AND YOU MENTIONED LEARNING NOT ONLY ABOUT X-RAYS BUT LEARNING ABOUT THEIR OWN MEDICAL PROCEDURES?

>> YEAH.

TED: YOU DO THAT?

>> YEAH, WE TEACH THEM ABOUT PROCEDURES IN THERE.

WE TEACH WITH TOYS.

WE TEACH WITH REAL MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND CAN DO CRAFTS WITH MEDICAL SUPPLIES SO THAT YOU CAN GET FAMILIAR WITH THEM.

SO IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S BEING DONE TO YOU, YOU CAN FEEL THE SUPPLIES, TOUCH THEM.

WHEN WE USE THEM ON THE PATIENTS, THEY ARE LESS SCARY BECAUSE YOU ARE MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE ITEMS.

TED: YOU MENTIONED KITCHEN AND COOKING, COOKING CLASSES GO ON HERE?

>> YEAH.

WE'VE HAD DIETICIANS DO COOKING CLASSES THAT, WITH THE PATIENTS THERE, BUT ALSO THEY'RE SENDING THAT OUT ON THE TELEPHONE SCREEN, NOT EVERYONE CAN COME, THEY MIGHT BE STUCK IN THE ROOM, BUT CAN WATCH IT ON TV.

YOU CAN PLAY BINGO FROM YOUR ROOM AND BRING YOU THE PRIZES TO YOUR ROOM IF YOU WIN.

TED: VERY COOL.

THERE'S A LITE-BRITE WALL, THAT SOUNDS COOL.

>> YOU CAN TURN THE KNOBS AND CHANGE THE COLORS.

I'VE SEEN PEOPLE WRITE THEIR NAME IN LIGHTS.

IT'S FUN.

TED: THE BROADCASTING AND MUSIC AND RECORDING STUDIOS ARE SEPARATE?

>> UH-HUH.

THERE'S A MUSIC STUDIO THE MUSIC THERAPIST USE.

THEY BRING KIDS IN THERE OR KIDS CAN EXPLORE ON THEIR OWN, THERE'S A DRUM SET, A PIANO, ALL DIFFERENT INSTRUMENTS AND THEY'RE FREE TO PLAY WITH THEM AND HAVE A GOOD TIME.

TED: CAN YOU GO IN AS A KID ON YOUR OWN OR AS A GROUP?

>> YOU CAN GO IN ON YOUR OWN.

I THINK THEY DO THERAPEUTIC SESSIONS IN THERE, BUT YOU ARE ABLE TO GO IN AND EXPLORE AND FEEL THE DIFFERENT INSTRUMENTS AND TOUCH THEM AND NO ONE IS WORRIED ABOUT YOU BREAKING ANYTHING.

TED: WHO CAN USE THE ZONE?

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?

SIX AND OLDER?

>> YES, SIX AND OLDER ARE ALLOWED IN THE ZONE.

BUT WE HAVE SPECIAL EVENTS WE LET KIDS OF ALL AGES IN THE HOSPITAL.

IT IS OPEN TO ALL AT SOME POINT.

TED: DOES THERE HAVE TO BE NURSE OR DOCTOR APPROVAL?

THE KID IS READY FOR THIS?

>> CORRECT.

IF WE'RE HAVING EVENTS, WE NEED TO KNOW DO THEY HAVE DIETARY RESTRICTIONS, A VOLUNTEER WILL WALK THEM DOWN TO FIND THE SPACE.

>> I WOULD IMAGINE CONNECTING WITH OTHERS IS A BIG PART OF THE RECOVERY PROCESS.

>> YEAH, IT'S REALLY FUN WHEN YOU LOOK IN THERE AND SEE PATIENTS PLAYING WITH OTHER PATIENTS.

THEY'RE IN THE SAME BOAT AS I AM BUT WE CAN HAVE FUN.

TED: I NOTICE THE FUNDS WAS FOR GARTH BROOKS TEAMMATES FOR KIDS.

>> YEAH.

TED: WHAT IS THAT?

>> AN ORGANIZATION FUNDED BY GARTH BROOKS.

HE'S COME TO THE ZONE AND DONE VISITS THERE.

IT'S A GREAT SPACE FOR KIDS.

TED: WE TALKED ABOUT A GREAT SPACE FOR KIDS.

TALK ABOUT FAMILIES, HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR FAMILIES?

>> A NICE SPACE WHERE PATIENTS CAN COME IN WITH FAMILIES, SIBLINGS, AND FAMILIES, THEY ALL DO THINGS AS A FAMILY.

TED: DO YOU HAVE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT OR RESERVATION?

>> NOPE, WE HAVE HOURS.

WE'RE OPEN EVERY DAY.

WE IS SET HOURS PATIENTS CAN COME IN.

TED: THESE LITTLE THINGS ON THE TABLE ARE DIFFERENT THINGS?

>> THINGS WE TEACH OUR PATIENTS TO MAKE IT LESS SCARY, WE MAY HAVE AN I.V.

IN THE ANIMAL, SHOW THEM THE ANESTHESIA EQUIPMENT OR THE MRI.

TED: I WAS GOING TO SAY MRI.

>> WHY I.

THEY CAN PLAY WITH THAT.

TED: JESSICA BRYSON, CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS.

SOUNDS LIKE A WONDERFUL PROJECT, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

TED: THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.