Pet Therapy for Hospice (Dauphin, Perry, Cumberland Counties)

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