The Healing Power of a Teddy Bear

Teddy bears have been offering emotional comfort, companionship, play and a sense of security for more than 100 years.

At Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center (PVHMC), a teddy bear is all of this and so much more. They have become a partner in health care, providing hope, therapeutics and healing to our patients.

Stead Heart & Vascular Center

Every patient who undergoes open-heart surgery at our Stead Heart and Vascular Center receives a “Steady Bear,” named after our philanthropic namesake, Bill and Carold Stead. They are a vital part of recovery, as patients must use them to protect the incision site whenever they cough, sneeze or laugh.

The plush bears, which sport a PVHMC “Steady Bear” shirt, are made possible through the generosity of donors to the PVHMC Foundation Stead Heart and Vascular Center Endowment Fund.

Pediatrics

In the Pediatric Inpatient Care Unit and Emergency Department, teddy bears (and other huggable-sized plushies) bring a sense of comfort and reduce fear and stress.

They also are used as a tool to provide education for children undergoing surgery. Our caregivers and Child Life Specialists use them as models to demonstrate and explain procedures in a child-friendly manner.

Many of these plushies are donations from several community partners in our region. Every inpatient pediatric patient also receives a stuffed lion, courtesy of an ongoing partnership with the Pomona Host Lions Club.

In recognition of National Teddy Bear day, we express our thanks to all who help ensure these stuffed, huggable healers are available for our patients.