Monticello Times Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 17
ALL ABOUT KIDS
Teddy bear clinic makes health checkups less scary
LAUREN FLAUM Monticello Times
MONTICELLO— Stuffed animals took center stage last month at the Monticello Public Library, where children brought their favorite plush“ patients” for checkups during a Teddy Bear Clinic hosted in partnership with Wright County Public Health.
During the free April event, young children rotated through hands-on stations designed to mirror a real clinic visit. They took their stuffies’ temperatures, listened to heartbeats with a stethoscope, checked blood pressure, measured height, applied bandages and even administered“ shots” and pretend medicine.
Families were also treated to a reading of a Berenstain Bears story about visiting the doctor, helping reinforce what happens during a checkup and easing common fears.
The clinic drew a range of patients beyond traditional teddies. In addition to a few bears, children brought a mix of companions including a cat, baby doll and even a dragon.
Quincy, 9, a Monticello fourth-grader, brought Toothless the dragon, while Walter, 2, attended with his older brother Weston, 4, carrying a white snowy owl.“ We helped release a snow owl and now he’ s obsessed with owls,” his mother said.
Each child went home with a new teddy bear, and some attendees gave their new companion a full checkup before leaving.
Organizers said the goal is to make real-life doctor and dentist visits feel more familiar— and less intimidating— by turning them into something kids can explore through play.
Winston, 2, of Monticello, gives his stuffed dragon a checkup during the Teddy Bear Clinic last month.
Weston, 4, and brother Walter, 2, of Monticello, with their stuffies.
PHOTOS BY LAUREN FLAUM / MONTICELLO TIMES
Hazel, 6, of Monticello, takes the temperature of her new teddy bear during the clinic.
Above, Lucy Peterson and her mother, Kelsey Peterson, of Monticello, give a“ shot” to Sally the bear. Left, Quincy, 9, a Monticello fourth-grader, listens to the heartbeat of Toothless the dragon. Below, Addelynn Lien, 2½, and her 6-month-old sister, Paisley, of Big Lake Township, take part in the clinic at the Monticello library.