The Eastland Police Department has teamed up with a local business to rekindle an on-going Teddy Bear Program Brandon’s Dozer Service has graciously sponsored and purchased Teddy Bears to be placed in our squad cars. Teddy Bears have been around for some time, in fact, way back to President Teddy Roosevelt’s era (1902). After a little reading, it was learned that Brooklyn candy store owners Rose and Morris Michtom made the first stuffed bear toy based off a cartoon, which they appropriately named Theodore Roosevelt and over time became known as the Teddy Bear. This couple from Brooklyn, according to some stories made the bear after a hunting trip that President Roosevelt was on where he refused to shoot a tied up bear. They were so moved by this act, they were inspired to make the stuffed bear.
Over time police departments across the globe started learning that Teddy Bears had a positive outcome with children involved in traumatic incidents. Domestic violence, car crashes, natural disasters, and such are just a few times where Teddy Bears have come into play as a means of comfort for a child.
According to some studies, Teddy bears are proven to have a calming effect by providing comfort and giving the child something tangible to hold during times of trauma. The bears also help divert the child’s attention from the stress of the incident to the comfort of the teddy bear.
