Support apparatus with a plurality of thermal zones providing localized cooling

An apparatus for supporting a human or animal body, while selectively cooling weight-bearing areas of the body, the apparatus comprising:

• a cooling layer having a plurality of zones;
• a surface disposed over the cooling layer,
• each zone of the cooling layer being disposed for cooling a respective portion of the surface;
• means for selectively operating one or more zones of the plurality of zones to cool a portion of the surface that receives pressure from a weight-bearing area of the body;
• and
• means for sensing a location of pressure applied to the surface by the body, the means for selectively operating being coupled to the means for sensing and responsive to an indication of pressure for operating at least one zone.