BC Children's patients and their siblings became stuffie health-care professionals for the day at the first Teddy Bear Clinic held since the COVID-19 outbreak.
Kids brought teddies or were given new ones to run through the different stations that included an X-ray, blood test, ultrasound, ECG, casts, music therapy and more.
Five-year-old Lily Carlson's teddy bear, named Cutie Bear, had a few procedures .
“His leg hurt before," she said as Cutie Bear received a cast.
Four-year-old Theodore said hi to Winston, a BC Children's pet therapy dog.
“I see a whole bunch of red things," said six-year-old Savannah as she examined her teddy bear's blood test.
Ben, 8, drummed with his teddy bear, Petey (named after his favourite Canucks player Elias Pettersson's nickname) in the music therapy station.
Patients and their siblings were invited to the event in the Teck Acute Care Centre. Patients who attended are being treated for chronic illnesses or recovering from surgery.
"The Teddy Bear Clinic is about allowing kids to see the procedures they may be expecting – in a playful way," says Child Life practice lead Gloria Kwong. "It's a real highlight of the year, especially because it's the first Teddy Bear Clinic since COVID-19 hit."
Photo L-R: Child Life Specialists Jackie Nixon, Emily Deimling, Kasia Krasny, Jade Palm, Gloria Kwong, and Tracy Denhoed.