Share Your Therapy Pet's Unconditional Love with a Hospice Patient!

Volunteers are the HEART of Heartland Hospice! We are looking for more pet/handler teams in Washington County or a surrounding area to enrich the lives of our hospice patients by making regular visits to provide companionship and meaningful activities between animal and patient. Service hours are flexible and scheduled according to your availability and location. Volunteers and their furry friends have the power to bring the greatest gifts to our patients’ lives... a smile and reassurance that comes with knowing they are genuinely cared for. If you have a friendly canine that has a lot of love to give and spreads joy wherever she/he goes, this is the opportunity for you!

If your dog or cat is currently certified through an approved, reputable therapy animal agency, you can immediately apply to become a Heartland Hospice volunteer. Some breed restrictions applying including: Chow, Doberman Pincer, Dalmatian, Rottweiler, Pit Bull or other breeds known for aggressive behavior.

Is your pet not certified? Below are some great organizations to look into for certifying your dog as a therapy animal (keeping in mind this is not an all-encompassing list…it's about finding the right place that meets your needs, schedule, budget, location etc.):

• Therapy Dogs International: www.tdi-dog.org. I would recommend reaching out to a dog evaluator in your area to learn more. You can search their site for an evaluator near you.
• Intermountain Therapy Animals: www.therapyanimals.org. You can contact Mary E. Domes to learn more: 262-942-1860; dogdom@wi.rr.com.
• Pet Partners: www.petpartners.org.
• Therapy Dogs, Inc.: www.therapydogs.com. Again, I would start by contacting the closest evaluators in your area. You can search their site for an evaluator near you.
• Pets Helping People: www.petshelpingpeople.org.
• Therapy Pets Unlimited: http:www.therapypetsunlimited.org.

NOTE: Whomever you work with to certify your dog, please be sure to let them know you're interested in volunteering with Heartland Hospice. It is good for the trainers to know where you and your dog would like to serve!

Once your pet is certified and registered, you will then be trained to become a Heartland Hospice volunteer (i.e., attend an orientation, fill out application paperwork, etc.). Handlers must be at least 18 years of age, agree to a background and reference check, receive two TB tests, and have reliable transportation. NOTE: certain breed restrictions apply.