The Oglebay Good Zoo has enhanced its amenities for nursing mothers, thanks to a generous grant from the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund. The zoo has installed a Mamava Pod lactation station in the lower lobby of its main building, near the classrooms, to provide a private and comfortable space for breastfeeding or pumping. Unlike restrooms, the pod offers privacy, equipped with outlets for pumps and USB charging ports, and is accessible through the Mamava app, allowing visitors to schedule its use.
This extra-large pod is designed to accommodate mothers with multiple children, so they can care for older kids while using the facility. The initiative underscores the zoo’s commitment to making family visits more enjoyable, as expressed by Eriks Janelsins, president and CEO of the Oglebay Foundation, who emphasized the importance of removing barriers for families with young children.
“The Highmark Charitable Fund for Health is proud to partner with the Good Zoo to provide this much-needed amenity for nursing mothers and families,” said Jim Fawcett, president of Highmark West Virginia. “We believe in supporting families and fostering healthy communities, and providing a comfortable and private lactation station ensures that all visitors can fully enjoy the zoo’s educational and enriching experiences without worry.”
In addition to benefiting nursing mothers, the lactation station offers Oglebay team members a private space to pump or feed infants at work, aligning with the Family Medical Leave Act’s PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act. The pod also serves as a quiet, sensory-friendly space for neurodivergent guests who may be sensitive to loud environments. The zoo already provides sensory-friendly bags, including items like headphones and tactile objects, to accommodate neurodivergent visitors, further promoting an inclusive experience for all.
“It’s important for our team to provide comfortable, safe spaces for all our guests. The new Mamava Pod allows us to support new mothers and their children as well as guests with neurological needs with ease. The Good Zoo is the perfect space to accommodate the pod as we continue to ensure that we are accessible to everyone in our community,” Dr. Joe Greathouse, director of the Good Zoo shared.
