'Teddy Clinic' Treats Stuffed Animals to Ease Kids' Fear of Hospitals
Plush patients got real-world tests and treatments.
![Cara, age 5, "operates" on a stuffed guenon at the "Teddy Clinic'' on June 4, 2014 in Giessen, Germany.](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Health/GTY_stuffed_animals_1_kab_140606_16x9_992.jpg?w=1600)
June 6, 2014— -- Some German medical students have gone soft to help kids conquer their fear of doctors.
The students in Giessen, Germany, hosted a “Teddy Clinic” this week, dolling out free care to stuffed animals suffering from a range of imaginary illnesses.
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Health/GTY_stuffed_animals_7_kab_140606.jpg)
The clinic aimed to ease anxiety among children, an estimated 90 percent of whom have fears about hospitals and doctors, according to a 2009 study. It also gave med students the chance to work with kids and save the day by bringing their plush pals back from the brink.
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Health/GTY_stuffed_animals_3_kab_140606.jpg)
The doctors-in-training used a mix of real and fake medical instruments to diagnose and treat teddy bears, stuffed cats and other cuddly critters.
Some of the stuffed toys needed X-rays and CT scans.
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Health/GTY_stuffed_animals_2_kab_140606_4x3t_992.jpg)
Others needed make-believe medical consultations and pretend prescriptions.
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Health/GTY_stuffed_animals_6_kab_140606.jpg)
One stuffed dragon needed an operation, giving his owner a chance to learn about sterility.
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Health/GTY_stuffed_animals_4_kab_140606.jpg)
But once in a while, a simple bandage did the trick.
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Health/GTY_stuffed_animals_5_kab_140606.jpg)