Pets for Pediatric Patients

Your donation puts smiles on our youngest patients during a stress filled time.

Pets for Pediatrics is one of our most popular programs. Our staff and volunteers gift stuffed animals to pediatric patients who come to the hospital for various reasons.

Some of our smallest patients come to the lab for blood draws or infusion treatments while others may come for surgical procedures. Others may be here in the Emergency Room, the clinical decision unit, or even be admitted to the hospital.

A visit to the doctor can be intimidating for these young patients, and the program helps the patient cope with anxiety and fear that is common with a more stressful visit.

Newman Regional Health Volunteers provides more than 400 new friends to pediatric patients each year.

You can make a child more comfortable when they need to visit the hospital and gift them a new friend. Every $5 donation gifts a pediatric patient a stuffed animal.

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Donate in-person:
Drop off cash or a check when you stop by the Gift Shoppe. Just walk into the Patent Tower/Visitors Entrance on the East side of the hospital at 1201 W. 12th Ave, Emporia, KS 66801

Donate by mail:
Send a check to NRH Volunteers at 1201 W. 12th Ave, Emporia, KS 66801

More information:
Contact Deborah Storrer, Volunteer Coordinator at 1201 W. 12th Ave, Emporia, KS 66801
or (620) 343-6800 ext. 22625 or EMAIL.

Stuffed animals can comfort pediatric patients in many ways, including: 

• Distraction: Stuffed animals can help children distract themselves from fears. 
• Familiarity: Stuffed animals can provide a sense of familiarity in an unfamiliar setting. 
• Emotional support: Stuffed animals can provide emotional support and a sense of security. 
• Transitional objects: Stuffed animals can help children transition from dependence to independence. They can represent a parent who isn’t present. 
• Comfort: Stuffed animals can provide comfort and a sense of stability. 
• Soothing: The soft texture of a stuffed animal can provide a soothing sensory experience. 
• Oxytocin: Hugging or cuddling a stuffed animal releases oxytocin, which can help reduce stress and promote a sense of calmness. 
• Bonding: Stuffed animals can help healthcare workers form a bond with the kids they treat. 
• Imagination: Stuffed animals can help cultivate children’s creativity and imagination. 

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Each toy is new, cleaned, and bagged by our staff prior to presentation to a patient. Due to the nature of stuffed animals, used toys are not accepted.