By Amber Martin
Garrison Public Affairs Office
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Last year’s patients sit at the Fort Carson Veterinary Treatment Facility waiting to be picked up by their respective owners. This year marks the third annual Teddy Bear Clinic. (Photo by Dani Johnson)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — The Fort Carson Veterinary Center is hosting a Teddy Bear Clinic Tuesday through June 5, 2018.
This is the third year the clinic has taken in military children’s worn and damaged stuffed animals for repair by the veterinary Soldiers.
“Last year we had about 300 stuffed animals dropped off for repair,” said Capt. Isabelle Gerbatsch, intern, first year graduate veterinary education, Public Health Activity — Fort Carson. “We will repair all stuffed animals, not just teddy bears. This is a good opportunity for the veterinary Soldiers to get some training and give back to the community.”
“Patient” drop-off for the event is May 29-30, 2018, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily at the Fort Carson Veterinary Center. On May 3, 2018, the veterinary technicians and their food inspection service counterparts will patch-up the stuffed animals. This training allows veterinary Soldiers to improve their suturing skills and helps them prepare for emergency trauma situations they experience at the clinic and while deployed.
On June 4-5, 2018, children can pick up their stuffed animals at the Veterinary Center from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
“We enjoy the opportunity to make each child smile when they get their teddy bears back,” said Sgt. Shanna Blackmon, NCO in charge, Fort Carson Veterinary Center.
For more information about the event, contact the Veterinary Center at 526-3803.