Teddy Bear Care Fair teaches children important lessons

HARRISBURG – Children from around the region had the chance Saturday to take a favorite stuffed animal to the doctor as part of Harrisburg Medical Center's Teddy Bear Care Fair.

The Care Fair, in its third year at HMC, is an opportunity to help reduce children's anxiety about visiting the doctor or the hospital while giving them and their parents some helpful information.

"The Teddy Bear Care Fair is an event that we have done for the last few years that is geared towards children Pre-K through fifth grade, in hopes to ease their fears should they ever need medical attention," HMC spokeswoman Courtney Drone said.

Every child who brought a stuffed toy could take the toy through a mock hospital visit, from registration through discharge – even including the hospital's lab and radiology departments.

Various booths with healthcare-related giveaways for children populated the hallways, as well. 

Emergency vehicles were on display with demonstrations of how they worked, plus face painting booths, craft projects and healthy snacks were available.