Cassa Niedringhaus

Fort Collins Coloradoan

FORT COLLINS, CO -- Emergency physicians and nurses bandaged teddy bears, stitched stuffed snakes and tended to wounded dolls at Poudre Valley Hospital on Saturday.

The hospital’s new emergency department — which is part of a nearly $100 million expansion that will open in late February — was converted to a Teddy Bear Hospital for the afternoon to care for the city’s most beloved fuzzy friends.

Children and their families brought about 800 toys in for care that included examinations, repair and even discharge instructions. The event simulated for children what an emergency room visit would entail without the fear involved in a real visit.

Families also toured ambulances and a Poudre Fire Authority fire truck, pet therapy dogs that work in UCHealth hospitals and met Slapshot, the mascot of the Colorado Eagles.

More than 2,000 people also attended a community open house in the new space Saturday, according to UCHealth.

The new three-story, 185,000-square-foot wing includes the emergency department, an orthopedics unit and laboratory, as well as a retail pharmacy, rooftop helipad and parking. It will open Feb. 26.

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