For youngsters, facing a doctor visit or medical procedure can be a scary thing. But a furry friend helped them see that doctor visits don’t have to be “un-bear-able.”
Two Anderson University professors, Alison Peeples and Cindy Swaney, came up with an idea for helping kids handle doctor visits with cuddly teddy bears and getting Anderson University nursing students involved in organizing fun, kid-friendly clinics.
Peeples and Swaney, who are professors of pediatric nursing in the School of Nursing at the Anderson University College of Health Professions, created the Teddy Bear Clinic, which launched last summer. Because of its initial success, they took the Teddy Bear Clinic to Anderson area schools and other locations. In July, the School of Nursing took its Teddy Bear Clinic on the road, going to the Children’s Museum of the Upstate in Greenville, with more than 400 children taking part.
Each youngster received a teddy bear and a big teddy bear (a student in a bear costume) led them in a fun time of exercise, games and activities. They also learned about the importance of hand hygiene, immunization, poison control, checking pulses and other hands-on health activities.
“Once they’ve taken Teddy through each station, they learn how to take care of their teddy bear—washing their hands, CPR, getting a shot—those types of things,” Peeples said, adding that she and Swaney hand out information for the kids to take home.
“Anderson University’s Teddy Bear clinic is a wonderful opportunity for our faculty and students to teach children about healthcare and minimize fear that often comes with children when seeing a physician or nurse,” said Dr. Donald Peace, dean of the College of Health Professions. “They create a warm and friendly environment where children can engage and be informed at the same time.”
In addition to the Anderson University College of Health Professions, Safe Kids of Anderson County provided assistance for the July event.
“The AU School of Nursing uses service-learning to give students a more comprehensive understanding of healthcare as well as a stronger sense of autonomy and confidence in themselves,” said Associate Dean of the College of Health Professions, Cindy Cross. “These opportunities also foster collaboration with our community partners.”
Peeples explains that students earn some of their clinical hours and the clinics incorporate what they are learning in class.
More clinics are planned at area schools. There will also be a Teddy Bear Clinic October 5 during Homecoming at Anderson University’s Athletic Campus.
Anyone wishing to support the Teddy Bear Clinics can contact Swaney at cswaney@andersonuniversity.edu or Peeples at apeeples@andersonuniversity.edu.
