SUNY Niagara sponsors a Teddy Bear Clinic for the Pre-K Students at Bloneva Bond Primary School 

Niagara Falls, NY March 17, 2026 Pre-K  students at Bloneva Bond Primary School recently experienced a day of learning, compassion, and hands-on fun during a special Teddy Bear Clinic, made possible through a collaborative effort between SUNY Niagara nursing students, SUNY Niagara Student Life, and the Liberty Partnerships Program.

The Teddy Bear Clinic is an interactive initiative designed to help young children feel more comfortable with healthcare environments by allowing them to role-play as caregivers for their stuffed animals. During the event, SUNY Niagara nursing students guided Pre-K students through basic health check-ups for their stuffed animals, demonstrating simple procedures such as listening to heartbeats, checking temperatures, and applying bandages.

To make the experience even more meaningful, SUNY Niagara Student Life generously donated Tripps for every participating child. In preparation for the event, students from the Liberty Partnerships Program took part in a community service project where they stuffed and prepared 120 Tripps with care. The Liberty staff personally delivered  them to the school and participated in the event.

“The interactions among the SUNY students, pre-k students, advisors, and SUNY Liberty staff was the best engagement ever, worth a million bucks.  For some  pre-k students this was their first teddy bear!” noted Dorothy Brundidge, the Assistant Principal at Bloneva Bond.

The Teddy Bear Clinic not only fosters early health literacy but also builds trust and confidence in young learners, helping to reduce fear associated with doctor visits. The collaboration highlights SUNY Niagara’s commitment to community engagement and student-centered learning across programs.

Dorothy expressed her gratitude to SUNY Niagara for making this experience possible for the Pre-K students, “This activity could not have happened without the support of SUNY Niagara.” Through efforts like the Teddy Bear Clinic, SUNY Niagara and its partners continue to demonstrate how education, service, and community can come together to create lasting impact.