Experience Adventure: Cincinnati Zoo's Exciting Stuffed Animal Checkup for Kids

Volunteers from Cincinnati Children's Hospital recently provided care to unique patients at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden—stuffed animals brought by children for checkups, and in some cases, repairs. For the second consecutive year, Cincinnati Children's collaborated with the zoo to host the Stuffed Animal Clinic, located just a few blocks from the hospital's Burnet Campus in Avondale. The clinic replicated the experience of visiting a primary care provider, featuring check-ins, patient charts, and examinations using stethoscopes and tongue depressors. Children actively participated by using flashlights to inspect the plush toys. Zoo volunteers were on standby to perform “emergency surgery” on stuffed animals needing repairs, such as loose buttons or open seams. Families residing at the nearby Ronald McDonald House, which supports those with children receiving prolonged care at Cincinnati Children’s, joined the event. The clinic not only educated kids about healthcare but also highlighted zoo animal care, potentially inspiring future medical or conservation careers.