Teddy bear clinic aims to quell fear of doctors, hospitals

By Sylvie Berry, The Paris Star
Published February 2, 2012, in the Paris Star
http://www.parisstaronline.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3456343 

PARIS, ONTARIO—The Kiwanis Club of Paris-Brant is encouraging children and parents to bring in a teddy bear for a check-up to help calm youthful fears of doctors and hospitals.

The service club is hosting a Teddy Bear Clinic at The Willett Hospital in Paris on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

All children and parents are welcome to bring a teddy bear or any other stuffed animals to get a medical checkup, examination and repair, and learn all about the tools and methods of a family practitioner.

“It can be an anxious experience for children,” said Kiwanis Club Paris-Brant president Sheila Moore.

“They can get used to the fact that nothing is necessarily going to hurt them when they come in for a visit.”

The children will get to see and touch some of the tools and try them on their stuffed animals. Dr. Jane Anwan, director with the Kiwanis Club of Paris-Brant and retired physician from a family practice in Paris, will be the acting physician for the afternoon.

“We’ll try to make it as realistic as possible,” Anwan said.

“We’ll determine the sickest bear of them all and work accordingly.”

“I just love this idea,” added Moore.

Club members will be doing the repairs and operations on any of the stuffed animals in need. Stethoscopes, scissors, thread and bandages will be available for quick fixes.

The purpose of the Teddy Bear Clinic is to help alleviate children’s fear of medical examinations by providing a comfortable atmosphere in which they can become acquainted with medical instruments used during examination.

This is the first time the Kiwanis Club is hosting the event in Paris.

“It’s quite a popular idea and good to get them used to that environment,” Moore said.

“And the Kiwanis Club would like to thank the hospital for making the community room available to us.”

Treasurer Stan Hutchinson brought the idea to Paris. He has two grandchildren, a five and a seven year old, who have shown some anxiety when it comes to doctors.

“It’s a neat idea,” he said.

“There’s a little bit of anxiety. The seven year old has had surgery on the elbow, but doesn’t like needles.”