Guelph paramedics have a new tool in their tool kit to help on calls.
On Friday, members of the Royal City Lions Club dropped by the Guelph Wellington Paramedic Service on Clair Road to drop off 30 stuffed lions, each wearing a blue Lions jersey and a giant smile on its face. The stuffed animals are to be given children at the scene of calls the paramedics respond to.
When the GWPS runs out, they just have to make a call to the Lions, and they will drop off 30 more.
“They're gonna love them. They're soft, they're really cute. It's going to provide that reassurance that it's not so scary. We can have something to comfort them with,” said Paramedic Briana Cunningham.
Cunningham said the GWPS always tries to have a stuffed animal in their van to give to children because it adds a personal touch.
“This is obviously a scary experience whatever's happening that they needed to call 911,” said Cunningham. She said the stuffed animals are very well received by children.
“Even if it was a really scary day or they were in pain. It just helps us provide more support and more comfort to them.”
Twenty years ago, Royal City Lions Club president Ted Wells donated hypoallergenic stuffed bears that were hand-made by a local woman. Twenty years later, he’s still at the doorstep of the GWPS making sure children feel comforted.
Wells said he worked as a cab driver for years before he retired and would always notice how children reacted to things on the road.
When a child cries after seeing an accident and an adult wants to help, comforting them with a stuffed toy seems to work.
“We're raising funds to keep covering the bears for as long as needed,” said Wells.
Deputy chief Leanne Swantko said the GWPS is always pleased to receive donations of stuffed animals from the community. In the past, they’ve had donations from Tim Horton’s and from the Guelph Storm.
She said children are not always transported when the ambulance is responding to a call but the stuffed animal is still given to the child as a keepsake to ensure them that everything is okay.
“I've seen kids show up 10 years later say I remember you gave me this bear,” said Swantko.
