Paws for a Purpose- Be a Pet Therapy Heartland Hospice Volunteer!

A small act of kindness can create a ripple effect that reaches further than you know!

Heartland Hospice of Circleville is seeking Pet Therapy Volunteers to join our volunteer team!

Pet Therapy Volunteers and their certified therapy animals bring comfort, companionship, and joy to hospice patients and families. A visit from friendly therapy pet can brighten a patient's day, reduce feelings of loneliness, and provide a special source of comfort during a difficult time. The majority of animals serving in this capacity will be a dog. The dog must be certified/ registered by an American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized therapy dog organization (http://www.akc.org/events/title-recognition-program/therapy/organizations/). Other certified/ registered therapy animals will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. All required vaccinations must be up to date and copies of the vaccinations/ medical evaluation must be maintained. Required vaccines include Rabies and Distemper. A copy of the current certification/registration, in addition to the liability insurance coverage, must also be maintained.

As a Pet Therapy Volunteer, you may:

• Visit patients in their homes or care facilities with your certified therapy pet
• Provide comfort and companionship through pet interaction
• Help reduce stress and anxiety for patients and families
• Encourage socialization and conversation
• Share the unconditional love and joy that animals bring
• Create meaningful moments and lasting memories

This volunteer opportunity is perfect for individuals and certified therapy pets who enjoy brining smiles to others and making a difference in their community.

We offer flexible scheduling and will work with your availability. Whether you have a few hours monthly or weekly, your support can make a lasting difference.

No experience is required- We will provide all trainings at no cost!

To get started, we do require a background check, drug screening, TB testing, and fingerprinting. All costs are covered, and we'll guide you through each step of the process.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please reach out to learn more and our Volunteer Coordinator will follow up with the next steps!