Teddy bear clinic draws young crowd

POCATELLO, Idaho – Doctors at Portnuef Medical Center were busy Saturday treating an additional 770 patients — all dolls and stuffed animals.

The annual Teddy Bear Clinic drew a record turnout of children, who brought their dolls, bears and other stuffed animals for doctors to bandage, poke and examine. The intent is to make visiting the hospital less frightening for children.

“It’s like they are the parent. They get to experience it from the other side,” said hospital spokeswoman Crista Madsen Smith, who said the event is targeted to kids ages 2-12.

Smith said the children get to help doctors decide how to treat their animals.

“X-ray is popular,” Smith said. “Casting was probably the most popular this year, but surgery is always fascinating to kids.”

About 80 people, including 30 doctors and nurses, volunteered for the event.