Spring Observer - News
Teddy Bear Clinic shows kids that doctor visits can be fun
By KEVIN KOLOIAN
Health care for ailing teddy bears may not make much sense to adults, but watching their stuffed animals getting checkups can ease children’s fears of doctor visits. Or, at least that is what Windrose Family Medicine hopes will happen as a result of its Teddy Bear Clinic on Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Windrose Holiday Market in Spring.
“We thought it would be a good way to get children acclimated to the physician environment by showing them some of the things we do in a non-threatening manner,” said Dr. David Michalak.
Children will be able to bring in their favorite stuffed animal from home or one will be loaned to them for use during the medical treatment.
Michalak said he finds that kids’ fears of going to the doctor aren’t necessarily age-dependant, but may have more to do with the prior experiences of the child.
“We have some children that we see who are quite young and do very well. But we also have some who are older that are screaming and absolutely frightened by the stethoscope. These are all kids less than the age of 10,” he said.
teddy bear clinic
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 20, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
WHERE: Windrose Holiday Market, 5730 Pinelakes Dr., Spring
HOW MUCH: free
“We thought it would be a good way to get children acclimated to the physician environment by showing them some of the things we do in a non-threatening manner,” said Dr. David Michalak.
Children will be able to bring in their favorite stuffed animal from home or one will be loaned to them for use during the medical treatment.
Michalak said he finds that kids’ fears of going to the doctor aren’t necessarily age-dependant, but may have more to do with the prior experiences of the child.
“We have some children that we see who are quite young and do very well. But we also have some who are older that are screaming and absolutely frightened by the stethoscope. These are all kids less than the age of 10,” he said.
teddy bear clinic
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 20, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
WHERE: Windrose Holiday Market, 5730 Pinelakes Dr., Spring
HOW MUCH: free
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