A children's teddy bear clinic is being held to help kids feel comfortable in a veterinary hospital setting.
The free event is being hosted by Coastal City Animal Hospital on Sunday, July 13, from noon to 4 p.m., with registration required.
Paula Swan, hospital practice manager, said children will bring in their plush toy, and the clinic will give it an exam with medical records to go through and treatments including bandaging, as well as have snacks and games.
"The idea behind it is just to get kids comfortable with their pets coming to the vet and being in the vet setting," she said. "If we could promote some kids wanting to become vets, that would be awesome too."
While most children are generally OK with visiting the vet, she said the clinic has had some who are upset by their pet having to get needles and respond to the animals' distress.
"[We're] just hoping to make kids feel like it is a safe place to be that we're trying to help their animals and get them comfortable with it, and it's just for fun. It's a summer fun activity to come hang out with us, and we all love animals and kids as well."
At the end of the clinic visit, attendees will get a health certificate for their stuffed companion and a goodie bag.
The Coastal City Animal Hospital is located on Dufferin Crescent and spots can be reserved by calling 778-441-3989.
