# Empathy-Developing Toy Sets The Melissa & Doug Company Launched a Toy Set for Kids to Act as Vets By Daniel Johnson | Published 2020-02-19 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/melissa-doug References: [melissaanddoug](https://www.melissaanddoug.com/examine-and-treat-pet-vet-play-set/8520.html) & [melissaanddoug](https://www.melissaanddoug.com/examine-and-treat-pet-vet-play-set/8520.html) [Melissa & Doug](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beauty-kiosk-play-set) launched the 'Examine & Treat Pet Vet Play Set' which allows children who love animals to practice treating them. The [Good Housekeeping Institute](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wearable-breast-pumps) indicated that the toy set would help to foster empathy in the children using it. Overall the toy from Melissa & Doug could be popular with children who love animals. The set contains 24 pieces, as well as a [dog and cat plush toy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-calmness-crew). The pieces in the set are all vet themed and include a stethoscope, syringe, ear scope, tweezers, a multi-use checklist and more. All of the pieces of the set are designed to give children the experience of caring for animals in a pretend vet setting. The product is listed at $31.49 USD and it is currently available from the company website. Image Credit: Melissa & Doug ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 29% | Activity: 23% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/toys) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Empathy-developing Toy Sets:** The launch of the 'Examine & Treat Pet Vet Play Set' by Melissa & Doug offers an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the toy industry by fostering empathy in children through pretend vet play. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Toy Industry:** The 'Examine & Treat Pet Vet Play Set' presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the toy industry by combining imaginative play with empathy-building activities. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Puppy Care Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-live-pets-ouchies.md) - [Alternative Wellness Toy Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/natural-healer-kit.md) - [Emotional Well-Being Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heartfuls.md) - [Beauty Kiosk Playsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beauty-kiosk-play-set.md) - [Interactive Puppy Playsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/my-puppys-home.md) - [Illuminating Mental Wellness Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pawz-the-calming-pup.md) - [Empathy-Building Play Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-barbie-school-of-friendship.md) - [Children Storytelling Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/world-traveler-pretend-play.md) - [Diverse Hand-Knit Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hand-knit-dolls.md)