Clean ‘Bill' of Health: Teddy Bear Check-up Day teaches children healthy habits

The stuffed yellow duck is worn from years of love.

"Pato is sick," five year-old Campy Rodriguez said, looking at her toy. A hospital bracelet wrapped around Pato's wrist, and a card listed his possible ailments.

Then, Campy took off, hugging the duck against his chest.

And so began Saturday's Teddy Bear Check-up Day at the Children's Museum of Brownsville, where Pato and a room full of other stuffed companions were examined from head to toe. In the process, organizers said, their young owners would learn about healthy living.

"He's 100 years old!" Campy said of Pato, before handing him over to a nurse who checked Pato's resting heart rate.

Then came an ophthalmologist, a dietician and a diabetes specialist who told Campy that "Pato is a little bit chunky," which might be a long-term health risk.

Campy seemed unfazed.

"He's 100 years old!" Campy repeated, and then fled with the duck.

Few relationships are as unconditional, as full of love and concern, as the friendship between a five-year-old boy and his stuffed yellow duck.

The two got advice from a host of health professionals at the museum's third annual event, sponsored by Valley Baptist Health System.

"This is an opportunity to promote good nutrition and healthy habits," Rhonda Loop Rodriguez said. "Many of these children have never been to the doctor before, so this is a good introduction."

For Pato, the event was particularly successful: He was cleared of all possible health problems and returned to his owner.

Campy is now preparing to begin a rigorous exercise regiment with his duck, including "one thousand exercises." Pato seemed ready and willing, flopping around as Campy darted through the museum's halls, celebrating a promising prognosis.