Sore paws and missing buttons are likely to be typical complaints at the second annual Teddy Bear Hospital at Starship children's hospital on August 4.

The Teddy Bear Hospital is run by University of Auckland medical students for young children and their favourite furry friends. Children bring their ‘sick' teddies in for treatment and medical students use the experience to teach children and families about healthy living and help children to feel comfortable in a medical environment.

Activity stations include X-rays of the teddy, healthy eating, anatomy, height and weight stations and first aid.

Children get to use a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff and even an otoscope to look inside their teddy's ears.

After the check-up, they get to visit the doctor and fix whatever it is they have diagnosed is wrong with their teddy. They can use soft bandages, plasters, nebulisers, injections (without the needle) and even full body casts.

“Teddy Bear Hospitals can be an effective way of reducing the anxiety children can feel towards medical procedures and hospitalisation. The Teddy Bear Hospital is also a great opportunity for medical students to interact with children in a medical setting,” medical student Zoe Dyer says.

See teddybearhospital.co.nz for information.

- © Fairfax NZ News