| Today, I am sharing a story of how Toy Doctor at Mandai revitalised my 20+ years old out-of-production Nici plushie. | | There are some things we keep not because they are new, pristine, or valuable in any conventional sense, but because they have quietly stayed with us through the different seasons of life. | | 2014 – A receding hairline, matted fur, uneven stuffing and on… all the hallmarks of being loved over the years | | | Above is a shot of Yang Yang (羊羊) next to Kei in 2014, pictured 12 years ago. | | 2026 – the same girl now as a comparison – Hasselblad 907X 100C, XCD38V | | | A childhood plushie is often one such object. It is never merely fabric, stuffing, and stitching. It holds comfort, memory, and in some ways, a version of ourselves from another time. Over the years, however, love leaves marks. Fur thins, seams strain, stuffing softens and settles, and age begins to show. | | A few weeks ago, I brought in my 20+ year old NICI plushie to Toy Doctor at Mandai Wildlife Reserve. I did so with equal parts hope and caution. Hope, because I wanted to see an old companion cared for well. Caution, because when something has been with you for two decades, you do not simply hand it over without feeling a little protective. | Bringing Yang Yang in
Fujifilm X70 | | | What I did not expect was how genuinely touched I would be by the experience. | | | Toy Doctor is Southeast Asia's first integrated plush care centre, offering professional toy restoration, workshops, and immersive role-play experiences. On paper, that already sounds distinctive. In person, and especially when you entrust them with something deeply personal, it feels even more meaningful. | A place that understands plushies are never "just toys" | | In my earlier preview of Exploria and Toy Doctor, I wrote that what I appreciated most was the spirit behind it: not replacement, but restoration. I also noted that there is something deeply moving about entrusting an old companion to people who understand that plush toys are not just "things", but holders of stories, comfort, and connection. | Yang Yang, back after Toy Doctor's treatment
Leica M10-R, Summilux 50mm re-issue | | | That impression only became stronger after seeing what Toy Doctor could do for my own plushie. | | We live in a time where many things are replaceable. Most objects, once worn, are simply discarded and substituted. Toy Doctor quietly stands against that instinct. Instead of asking whether something old is worth replacing, it asks whether something beloved is worth mending. | | And for those of us who have kept a plushie across years, or even decades, the answer is obvious. | Thoughtful hands, not factory treatment | | What impressed me was not just the idea of restoration, but the care and structure behind it. | | Toy Doctor's treatment journey begins with a booked consultation, followed by a tailored healing plan, treatment, and finally what they call the "happy reunion". The language on the official site is simple, but revealing: "Every plush is special." It is not hard to see that this is the ethos underpinning the service. | | That spirit is also reflected in the people behind the service. Mr Isaac Kong and Ms Pamela Theng began with a shared passion for teddy bear artistry in 1996, and have specialised in soft toy restoration and cleaning services since 2016. That background matters. Restoration, especially for sentimental objects, requires more than technical ability. It requires sensitivity, judgement, and restraint. | | An old plushie should not come back looking like an entirely different toy. | | | It should come back looking like itself, only cared for and that is exactly what moved me most. | Revitalised, but still recognisably mine | | A 20 year old plushie should carry signs of 'life'. | | That may sound odd in an age obsessed with mint condition perfection, but sentimental restoration is not about erasing time. It is about strengthening what time has gently worn down. It is about preserving identity while restoring form, softness, and integrity. | | When the question came to even the material and density of the stuffing you know it's really in depth | | | That, to me, is the difference between service and care. | | I was impressed, certainly. But more than that, I was touched. | | It would be easy for someone unfamiliar with the concept to dismiss Toy Doctor as a novelty. Yet to do so would miss the point entirely. | | Toy Doctor is not merely a repair counter. It sits within a larger philosophy of care, restoration, and reconnection. Beyond toy treatments, Mandai also positions it as a space for workshops and experiential activities, reflecting a wider effort to build appreciation for mending, preserving, and re-engaging with treasured companions rather than simply replacing them. | Every plushie with Toy Doctor goes through a check in , admission and discharge process
Leica M10-R, Summilux 50mm reissue | | | In that sense, Toy Doctor feels quite contemporary in the best way. It reminds us that emotional durability matters too. We often speak about sustainability in terms of materials and consumption, but there is also something deeply sustainable about choosing to care for what we already love. | All soft, puffed up as good as new
Leica M10-R, Summilux 50mm reissue | | | It was not only about seeing a plushie repaired. | | It was about being reminded that some things are worth the time, patience, and tenderness it takes to restore them. | | A quietly memorable part of Mandai | | Toy Doctor is located at Exploria, #01-17 on the mezzanine level at Mandai Wildlife EAST, and is open daily from 10:00am to 7:00pm. | | Set within the larger Mandai experience, it would be easy to think of Toy Doctor as a smaller side attraction. Yet emotionally, it leaves an impression disproportionate to its size. In a destination often associated with wildlife, family outings, and immersive experiences, Toy Doctor offers something gentler and more intimate. | | Ready for another quarter century! | | | It offers care and most of all, something that is in short supply nowadays: the respect given to sustainability and how they are helping people preserve stories, comfort, and continuity. | - I was previously invited by Mandai Wildlife Group to a preview of Exploria and Toy Doctor, with complimentary tickets provided. I did not receive or accept any payment in any form for this article.
- This sharing is based on my personal experience with Toy Doctor and my own 20 year old NICI plushie.
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