A Check-Up That's Bearable

Second grade students at John Campbell Primary discovered that a trip to the doctor is a checkup that is totally bear-able during the Selah Viking Teddy Bear Clinic. Hosted by Selah High School Health Science students in Heather Gamache’s Grey’s Anatomy class, the clinic transformed the John Campbell gymnasium into a kid-friendly medical office—complete with furry patients and plenty of smiles.

The Teddy Bear Clinic is designed to help ease fears and build confidence around doctor visits, medical settings, and health procedures. By turning the experience into hands-on play, students learned that medical care doesn’t have to be an un-bearable experience. Through role-playing as physicians, children feel empowered and in control as they provide their stuffed patients with the same treatment and procedures they might experience themselves.

As part of the experience, each student adopted a teddy bear of their choice and jumped into the role of “doctor.” Bears were officially registered with ID bracelets, measured, and given full checkups—including heart rate, pulse, temperature, and blood pressure checks. There was even time for a little extra care, like brushing hair and teeth, because every patient deserves to feel their best.

The best part? Every bear received a hug, clean bill of health and went home with its new owner, knowing that going to the doctor can be absolutely bear-able.