Certified Therapy Dogs and handlers wanted to visit Hospice Patients in Marshall County Alabama

Please note: Dogs must have been through obedience school and have a certificate of completion.

Thank you for considering volunteer service with Enhabit Hospice. There are many opportunities for our volunteers to serve hospice patients in Marshall County.

Therapy Dogs can provide emotional support for patients in end-of-life care and thereby contribute toward a better quality of life. Enhabit requires Therapy Dogs to be certified by a veterinarian to be medically fit and to have the appropriate temperament to remain calm and has received certification from an Obedience School.

Only dogs which are certified to be medically fit, are current with all required vaccinations, have a calm temperament, are at least 1 year old, not in heat, and have documentation of successfully completing obedience training shall be allowed to visit the selected patients.

Dog’s veterinarian must certify that they are in good health, including general dental health. All dog vaccinations must be current. The dog must be bathed and well-groomed prior to making visits.

Handler (Pet Owner) Requirements

All handlers are required to meet all volunteer requirements, including but not limited to orientation, documentation and complying with company policies. All costs for pet health care, including the initial exam will be the responsibility of the pet owner/handler. The dog must be always under the direct and continuous supervision and control of the volunteer handler.

Volunteers are trained to go into a hospice patient’s home and provide non-medical support through socialization and companionship.

Volunteers are welcome to help during the day, after hours, or on weekends. Volunteer commitment is flexible to volunteer’s schedule.

Requirements

We provide free training for all our volunteers. We prepare our volunteers to understand the complexity of issues & feelings that surround hospice care & end of life. Our care process is designed to maximize our patient’s quality of life & offer our patients & their love ones comfort, support & guidance when facing a terminal illness. Therefore, volunteers must complete the application & orientation processes. To ensure the safety of patients & volunteers Enhabit will do background screenings, & require volunteers to provide a valid driver’s license, proof of auto insurance. A 2-step TB skin test will be provided by Enhabit. Volunteers must have reliable transportation, must be dependable, & can complete written documentation.

Jr. volunteers ages 14-18 may volunteer in the patient’s home if they are accompanied & supervised by an adult volunteer.

Please contact me if you think you would be interested in volunteering. Whatever your talent or passion we can turn into a volunteer opportunity. See our other ads on Volunteer Match. I look forward to hearing from you today!

Crissy H. Faulkner, BSW Volunteer Coordinator