Teddy Bear Clinic In San Andreas

San Andreas, Ca — Kindergarteners in Calaveras County are learning what to expect when going to a hospital, as the three day Teddy Bear Clinic is taking place this week at Mark Twain Saint Joseph´s Hospital in San Andreas.

Event Coordinator Johanna Jiron says the purpose is to give children a tour of the facility so that they can become familiar with the hospital in a friendly environment. The children receive a teddy bear, stethoscope and a doctor/nurse cap.

?About a week after our first Teddy Bear Clinic last year, we had a child that broke her arm at school and the ambulance crew that picked her up was the same crew that had been here for the clinic,? says Jiron. ?She was crying when they picked her up, then she said ?Hey I know you,´ and they talked the whole way to the Emergency Room.?

The young girl also identified the nurse in the ER from the Teddy Bear Clinic.

Jiron says that what could have been a horrible experience for the young child, ended up being more comfortable because she knew so many people.

Children at the Clinic also have a chance to hear from fire officials, the Sheriff´s Office, CHP Officers and other local responders.

Written by BJ Hansen