Cheshire Medical Center’s Family & Community Care clinic invites families to a day of education and excitement at the upcoming Teddy Bear Clinic and weather-permitting Emergency Vehicle Touch-a-Truck Event on Saturday, April 25, from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm.
The Teddy Bear Clinic will be held at 62 Maple Avenue, home of Cheshire’s West Campus. The free event is designed for children to help ease anxiety about doctor visits through interactive, play-based learning. The Teddy Bear Clinic is most beneficial for children ages 2 to 12 and provides parents with a powerful tool to decrease fear and anxiety for their children during healthcare visits.
Registration is required for clinic participation.
The clinic gives children the opportunity to role-play as doctors, nurses, medical assistants or technicians while caring for their favorite stuffed animal. By “treating” their teddy bears, children become familiar with medical equipment and common healthcare experiences in a supportive, engaging environment. Activities may include check-in, emergency room visits, X-rays, lab visits, casting, doctor office visits, immunizations, hand hygiene and belly breathing.
Children are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animal to serve as the “patient,” or a teddy bear will be provided for each child attending the clinic. While many children find the experience simply fun, others may benefit therapeutically by gaining confidence and comfort around medical settings.
Registration for Teddy Bear Clinic appointments opens Wednesday, April 1. To register, families should email teddybearclinic@cheshire-med.com with the full name and age of each child being registered, along with the full name of each attending parent or adult. Space is limited to the first 74 children who contact organizers.
In addition to the clinic, families can enjoy the Emergency Vehicle Touch-a-Truck Event, which will be held in the Maple Avenue parking lot. The free event is open to children of all ages. Registration is not required for the Touch-a-Truck portion of the event.
Weather permitting, children will be able to view and explore the Dartmouth Hitchcock Advanced Response Team aircraft and ambulance, a West Station ambulance, a West Station fire truck and a N.H. State Police Troop C cruiser and BEAR.
Food and treats will also be available for purchase from Mama Maria’s Gyro food truck and Kona Ice Monadnock Region.
For more information about this and other community health education events, visit cheshiremed.org/events.
About Cheshire Medical Center
Cheshire Medical Center (Cheshire) advances the health and wellness of individuals across New Hampshire’s Monadnock Region through outstanding care and exceptional service. Cheshire teams deliver an impressive range of clinical services that support the community's needs. As a member of Dartmouth Health, Cheshire is able to provide services far exceeding those of a typical rural hospital, including extensive programs in primary care, cancer care, cardiology, orthopaedics, and public health. Cheshire patients are also able to access hundreds of highly trained specialists and a depth of clinical and technical resources through its collaboration with Dartmouth Health. Cheshire’s clinical practice is distinguished by an exceptional staff, a strong commitment to safety and quality, and a culture that values the contribution of every staff member and volunteer. Cheshire is the area's largest healthcare provider and leading employer. Along with the services delivered on their Keene campus and satellite locations, the Medical Center partners with local organizations to provide vital services and programs throughout the region. To learn more, call 603-354-5400 or visit cheshiremed.org.