Teddy Bear Program

A hug, some comfort, and a furry friend for life.

Ottawa Police officers are equipped with a special piece of equipment in cruisers to warm a child's heart – a teddy bear.

All Ottawa Police cruisers carry teddy bears so officers arriving at emergency scenes can use them to comfort and distract children from potentially traumatic situations. 

Teddy bears have a calming effect and give children something tangible to hold during times of crisis. They also help forge a bond between the officer and the child and minimize the psychological impact of a traumatic situation by diverting the child's attention from the stress of the trauma to the comfort of the teddy bear.

When are teddy bears given to children?

Unfortunately, children are sometimes faced with adult problems. Teddy bears can be used to distract children from potentially traumatic situations and are given out based on the officer's assessment of the child's physical and emotional status. Some examples of these situations are traffic stops, accidents, domestic violence, child abuse, neglect, medical emergencies, and more. 

I have gently used teddy bears. Can I donate them to the Teddy Bear Program?

We have politely declined donations of stuffed animals from the public since the Teddy Bear Program's inception to ensure that the bears conform to a consistent size, are hypoallergenic and brand new.

Inquiries about donations can be sent to [email protected].

Please note: The Ottawa Police Service does not solicit donations for this program. If you've been asked to donate to this program, please file a report about a potential scam.