A paramedic with Parkland Ambulance Service shows a handful of teddy bears donated. (@ParkAmbulance/Twitter)

By Derek Craddock

TEDDY BEARS

A comforting, consoling gift for local children needing ambulance care

Aug 29, 2022 | 12:00 PM

Over the summer, some of the younger patients being assessed by paramedics were given a special friend to help them in what can be a difficult time for them.

Thanks to a non-profit known as Teddy Bears Anonymous, Parkland Ambulance Service has handed out little stuffed bears to children needing EMS care.

Lyle Karasiuk with Parkland Ambulance said they received a donation of the bears sometime over the summer.

“He’s just a comforting, warm, little consoling animal that our patients just love,” he said.

Parkland is not the only place where these bears are donated.

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According to the website for Teddy Bears Anonymous, bears are donated to several health centres in the province including the Victoria Hospital, Rosthern Hospital, and the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital.

Karasiuk said it’s a great feeling to be able to give one of those bears to their patients.

“When we see children, often they’re not feeling at their best. Sometimes they’ve left home or come from a situation where they don’t have their normal creature comforts, and just giving them something that they can bond with and lessen a little bit of the anxiety and make their stay within our paramedic care a little more pleasant.”

He added that as Teddy Bears Anonymous is a non-profit, they rely solely on donations and support from the community. He’s hoping others will see their great work and support them so that they never run out of bears.

“We’re thankful that Teddy Bears Anonymous has allowed us to get some product from them and we continue to be supportive of their activities.”

For more details on Teddy Bears Anonymous, you can visit their official website.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock