For many children, a nebulizer is a source of dread. The unfamiliar mask, the mechanical hum, and the demand to sit still for minutes at a time can make every treatment a struggle. Parents, already managing the stress of their child’s illness, are forced into the role of negotiator, coaxing and persuading with every session. Resistance builds, treatments are delayed, and the process turns into a battle of wills.
ZooBree dismantles this cycle by reimagining the device through a child’s perspective. Instead of expecting young patients to adapt to a cold, clinical tool, it transforms the nebulizer into something familiar, friendly, and fun. The result is an animal-shaped inhalation device that blends therapeutic function with playful engagement, turning what was once a moment of fear into a chance for connection.
Designers: Gagyeong Min, Dami Seo, and Hyeonsu Yu
The experience centers on three character masks, Mimi the Cat, Roar the Lion, and Pip the Hamster, each with a distinct personality. Mimi is gentle and comforting, perfect for children who seek reassurance. Roar is bold and spirited, encouraging bravery. Pip is small and sweet, making the process feel approachable. Choosing a “treatment buddy” each day gives children a sense of control, transforming therapy into an act of personal choice rather than a forced obligation.
ZooBree engages more than the eyes. As the child breathes and speaks into the mask, their voice is transformed into the sounds of their chosen animal. Roars, meows, or cheerful squeaks replace the sterile hum of a machine, turning each inhalation into a playful interaction. This sound-based feedback encourages deep, steady breathing without constant reminders from parents.
A small ritual at the end of the session reinforces the positive association. A silicone stamp leaves a set of animal whiskers on the child’s cheeks, using safe, natural coloring. This becomes a badge of courage, a playful marker of having completed their “mission” with their animal friend. Storybooks featuring Mimi, Roar, and Pip expand the experience beyond treatment time, letting the characters live in the child’s imagination and motivating them to return for the next session.
Every detail is designed with practicality in mind. The mesh nebulizer efficiently converts liquid medicine into a fine mist for easy inhalation. A modern Type-C charging system provides six hours of operation from just two hours of charging. The compact pouch allows the device to travel anywhere, ensuring therapy doesn’t have to be interrupted. The masks and components can be disassembled quickly for washing and sterilization, keeping maintenance simple for parents.
ZooBree demonstrates that in pediatric care, design is as much about emotion as it is about mechanics. A child’s willingness to participate often determines whether treatment is effective, and willingness grows from comfort, trust, and joy. By weaving choice, play, and gentle reward into the process, ZooBree turns nebulizer therapy from a scene of resistance into a shared moment of laughter, accomplishment, and care.
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