In order to ensure that the artistic and humanitarian work of therapeutic clowns stays alive, Dr Clown has included in its mandate the tasks of publicizing the benefits of therapeutic clowning, defending its standards of quality, and contributing to its development.

In schools
Dr Clown has already introduced students of all ages – pre-schoolers, secondary students (F.A.C.E. and Villa-Maria), CÉGEP students (Dawson College), and university students (Faculty of Medecine, Université de Montréal) –  to the practice of therapeutic clowning.

Exchanges
Since its inception, Dr Clown has been the host of visiting therapeutic artists from pediatric hospitals in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Windsor, Toronto, and Paris (see affiliations).

	Les soins de longue durée...une passion Melissa Holland, Lorna Gotzman Hosted by l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal Centre Mont-Royal, November 26, 2004 Dr Clown was invited to take part in the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal’s conference on long-term care. A booth was set up for conference members to visit and to ask questions relating specifically to our programs with seniors. Much interest was shown, indicating the thirst for innovative interactive programs for the elderly in long-term care.
	Réflexions sur le rôle du Clown thérapeutique dans le processus de réadaptation de l'enfant polytraumatisé Florence Vinit, PhD, Melissa Holland Presented at the 6th Annual Trauma Nursing Conference: Continuum of Care of the Polytrauma from Emergency to Rehabilitation, Montreal, October 1, 2004
	Clowning: Connecting and Collaborating Olivier-Hugues Terreault, Melissa Holland Challenging Stereotypes: A Celebration of the Arts in Community, Winnipeg, March 26, 2004
	Laughter as Stress Reliever Lorna Gotzman, Melissa Holland University Women's Club of Montreal, South Shore Chapter, February 24, 2004 Spoke on the physical and emotional benefits of laughter and the work of Dr Clown
	Dr Clown: A prescription of tenderness, imagination and fun in a Multi-Cultural Environment. Florence Vinit, PhD, Olivier-Hugues Terreault, Melissa Holland Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, February 12, 2004 Conference on the clown's approach to working in the multicultural reality of the Jewish General Hospital, given to healthcare workers at the hospital
	Éclat de nez à la résidence Paul-Lizotte Florence Vinit, PhD Symposium of the Fédération québécoise du loisir en institution: Notre 20e rendez-vous, toute une histoire d'amour, Saint-Sauveur, October 9, 2003 Dr Clown, accompanied by Martine Dallaire, recreation technician at the CHSLD Résidence Paul-Lizotte, met with leisure science specialists to talk about its program as implemented in a CHSLD.
	Testimony of a Therapeutic Clown Program Florence Vinit, PhD, Olivier-Hugues Terreault, Melissa Holland Starlight International Conference, Montreal, May 23, 2003
	Présence et interactions thérapeutique des clowns docteurs auprès d’enfants hospitalisés Florence Vinit, PhD Colloque de l’Acfas, Rimouski, May 21, 2003 (Acfas : association canadienne francophone pour l'avancement des sciences).
	Les clowns thérapeutiques : quels bénéfices pour les bénéficiaires ? Florence Vinit, PhD Symposium of the “Association des services de loisirs en institution du Montréal Métro”, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, Montreal, May 14, 2003 Dr Clown, accompanied by Martine Dallaire, recreation technician at the CHSLD Résidence Paul-Lizotte, met with leisure science specialists to talk about its program as implemented in a CHSLD.
	Celui que tout le monde peut sauver Olivier-Hugues Terreault In 2001, with the financial assistance of the Canada Council for the Arts, Dr Clown participated in a national conference on social clowning, organized by Clownwise (Winnipeg).

CASCO Chaos Corona Theatre, November 25, 2004 McGill University’s Commerce and Administration Student Charity Organization (CASCO), held their annual fashion show at the Corona Theatre, raising funds for the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation. All proceeds benefited the Dr Clown program at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Dr Fifi was on hand at the start of the show to explain the program and to thank the students for their support and generosity.

Dr Clown Day Jewish General Hospital, November 24, 2004 In commemoration of Dr Clown’s first year anniversary at the hospital, a promotional day was hosted by the Humanization of Care Committee at the Jewish General Hospital to raise awareness about Dr Clown’s program and its effects.  A kiosk was set up in the main lobby from 10 am until 4 pm where some of Dr Clown’s artists and staff answered questions from many patients, family members and hospital staff who happened by; people also took the opportunity to request that we visit with certain patients. We enjoyed an interested and enthusiastic reception.

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