GHS healthcare pathway students treated wounded stuffed animals at the Orchard Hospital Teddy Bear Clinic. 

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Children from McKinley School visited the Medical Specialty Center’s parking lot for Orchard Hospital’s annual Teddy Bear Clinic, Thursday May 23.

Every year, local first responders and healthcare professionals from Orchard Hospital come out to the Teddy Bear Clinic to teach young people what a hospital experience could be like in the event that they need emergency treatment. The youth bring stuffed animals that they carry through different stations of treatment.

At each station, “teddy” learns a different aspect of the hospitalization process or the stages of emergency response by first responders.

Firefighters Alex Klien and Perry Nunez speak to students about emergencies, fire safety, and tell them what to do, and what not to do, during a fire rescue. 

A brand-new ambulance was present and Orchard Hospital staff allowed the little ones to climb inside and explore it, familiarizing themselves with the environment. 

Gridley High Schools students from the healthcare pathway were on hand to provide medical treatments to the stuff pals present. Children would tell them what part of the animal was hurt and how, and the healthcare pathway students would doctor the wounds.

After bandaging, splinting or otherwise fixing injuries, the stuffed animals would be handed back to their owners for safe keeping as they moved to the next booth.

This poor spider gets four of his legs doctored. 

Gridley Police Departments Officer Ashley Carson and Animal Control Officer Jennifer Weiss were on hand to answer children’s questions about police duties and talk to them about calling 9-11. Children raised their hands, shooting out an array of questions.

At another station, McKinley students got to speak with CALFIRE/Butte County/Gridley Fire Departments Alex Klien and Perry Nunez. The firefighters spoke about fire safety, what constituted and emergency and non-emergency, the importance of having a plan during a fire and “Stop, Drop, and Roll.”

The children received bags with safety information and goodies, such as clip-on flashing lights for walking or riding bikes in low light and more.

The goal of the event was not only to educate children on the role of first responders, but also hoped to relieve any fears or anxiety the children could have if they found themselves in an emergency and had to interact with police, fire, EMT’s or medical professionals.