GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine hosted their Teddy Bear Health Fair on Saturday at Garfield Park.It’s the third year the college has held the event in West Michigan, but it’s been going on in East Lansing for two decades. Children were invited to bring a stuffed animal out to the park for a check up at the teddy bear hospital. From stethoscopes and thermometers, to a miniature CT scan machine, their fuzzy friends had the chance to get a full check up, while kids could learn and interact with doctors and med students.
“Kids bond with their stuffed animal and will take care of their stuffed animal, in some ways, better than themselves,” Dr. Aron Sousa, the Dean of the College of Human Medicine, told News 8. “They actually learn something about taking care of themselves as they think they’re taking care of their animal. It helps decrease anxiety when they go to the doctor’s office.”
During the visit, kids learned from doctors and medical students about nutrition, exercise, vaccines, and medicine. Popular mascots, therapy dogs, and Zeke the wonder dog all came out to enjoy the fun.
Sousa says the event also serves as a way to educate communities on local health resources they can utilize…