Pet Therapy Program - Amedisys Hospice is looking to provide joy and companionship through pets. Hospice patients and their loved ones are eager to have visitors, especially with a wagging tail, who will provide a caring presence. As a Pet Therapy Volunteer, you will assist in providing one of the many alternative treatment programs used to help with the care of patients experiencing a life limiting illnesses. Therapy pets often connect with a patient in a way a person cannot. If you have a pet, dog, cat, rabbit, miniature pony, etc..., you think would be a great therapy animal, we'd love to have you!
Skills:
- Interpersonal Skills: Volunteers need to be able to fit into any mode: engage in conversations from the superficial to the spiritually profound, depending on the day. Also need to be comfortable with silence.
Requirements:
- Be able to provide own transportation.
- Complete volunteer training and orientation
- Complete background check (free)
- Tuberculosis tests (free)
- Pet Requirements:
- Be certified through a proper organization
- Have all current vaccinations and pass a health screening by a veterinarian
- Be cleaned and groomed before each visit
- Out of respect for the grieving process, if you are a surviving family member, we encourage you to wait a minimum of 13 months following the patient's death to serve as a direct care volunteer or in public relations activities