Teddy bear clinic

Child Life specialists at Children’s use a variety of methods to help children cope while they are at the hospital. Teddy bear clinics are just one of the many ways children are able to feel empowered and in control of their situation. I recently watched children go through a special kind of healing process as they lined up at the teddy bear clinic with their most prized possessions. It was a day of walking in their parent’s footsteps.

The Children’s Health℠ teddy bear clinic works to reduce fear and put smiles on the faces of our kids by giving the animals the same treatments they are given.

Many children started the day off with concerned looks on their faces when they handed over their beloved animals at triage, radiology, IV, X-ray and surgical areas designed just for the miniature patients. In the corner of the room, a stuffed bear was placed in a mini x-ray machine before nurses wheeled it into “surgery.” The animal was attached to an IV pole and wore a mask for anesthesia.

Soon enough, the children's worried faces turned into smiles as they were reunited with their healthy teddy bears and on their way – with a feeling of accomplishment and a new perspective.