That was the Cuddly Toy Clinic 2026

In June, the Cuddly Toy Clinic at the Medical University of Graz opened its doors once again. Numerous children aged between three and six visited the clinic with their cuddly companions to have them examined and treated by dedicated students. The main aim of the event was to help children overcome their fear of visiting the doctor, undergoing medical examinations and staying in hospital in a playful way. Together with the soft toy doctors, the young visitors accompanied their soft toys through the entire treatment process – from registration, through the medical history interview and examination, to the diagnosis, treatment and the final visit to the soft toy pharmacy.

With great empathy, the students explained medical procedures in an age-appropriate way and actively involved the children at every stage. This allowed them to apply dressings, look at X-rays, carry out small ‘operations’ and collect medication for the cuddly toy patients. The children themselves took on the role of carers and experienced everyday hospital life from a fear-free perspective. The Soft Toy Clinic has long since become a fixture in the University of Graz Medical School’s calendar of events, whilst also offering students a valuable opportunity to learn, in a practical setting, how to interact empathetically with young patients. The event’s success was only made possible by the tremendous commitment of numerous student volunteers and the support of our partners: the Styrian Medical Association, AFÖP, the Chamber of Pharmacists, the Austrian Red Cross and ÖH Med Graz.