Do you own a friendly dog? Emmanuel Hospice is seeking a volunteer handler/dog team to visit our patients through our Pet Visitor program. The goal of the Pet Visitor program is to provide joy and increased quality of life for those in our care.
As a Pet Visitor volunteer team you and your dog will spend one-on-one time with an assigned patient(s). Your visit will offer the patient companionship and an opportunity for engagement with your dog. Most Pet Visitor volunteer teams work once a week for approximately one hour (give or take). We serve patients "where ever they call home" (private residents, residential setting, skilled nursing setting).
We offer our volunteers a comprehensive hospice orientation program. The human volunteer/handler will participate in our self-paced Patient and Family Support volunteer orientation program. Upon successful completion of the orientation program the four-legged volunteer will participate in a pet companion certification process. Through a generous community grant Emmanuel Hospice will cover the cost of the pet certification. We will walk through the certification process with you and be there every step of the way.
Qualifications for the pet companion certification begins with a friendly dog, aged one year or order, who has lived in your home for at least six months. Of course your dog must be house trained, vaccinated, and no history of aggressive behavior.
