Furry Friends Hospice Companion (Non-Profit)

• *The Northern New Mexico service area includes Santa Fe, Tesuque, Nambe, Pojoaque, La Mesilla, Santa Cruz, La Puebla, El Llano, Cordova, Chimayo, Espanola, Ohkay Owingeh, Alcalde, El Guique, Medanales, El Dorado, Lamy, Pecos**

We are looking for volunteers that have a certified therapy animal companion to visit our hospice patients in their homes. Therapy pets can help provide comfort and joy to those at the end of life. Animal companions are required to be current with vaccinations and have licensure with any appropriate pet therapy organization (Therapy Dogs International, AKC Therapy Dog Program, Therapy Dogs Incorporated, Santa Fe SPCA, etc).

Presbyterian Hospice of Norther New Mexico provides compassionate and holistic care during the final stage of a person's life. Volunteers serve an important role in our team by giving their time to provide extra companionship. A visit from a calm and friendly animal can help our patients to open up and put a smile on their face.

In addition to pet requirements, owners will go through our normal onboarding and training process. No prior experience is required. We will make sure you are supported and set up for success as a hospice volunteer. Time commitment is flexible.

Why choose non-profit?

• Non-profit hospice services are more patient-centered and focused on quality of care rather than the bottom line.
• Non-profit hospices are able to offer more services and resources to patients and their families than for-profit hospice services.

Getting started:

1. Fill out the volunteer application online at www.phs.org/community/volunteer
2. Pass a criminal background check.
3. Schedule screening interview with Volunteer Manager by contacting cverduzco@phs.org

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Proof of up-to-date COVID vaccinations.
• Proof of childhood vaccination records, or titer test.
• Current seasonal flu vaccine.
• Completion of self-paced online volunteer training.
• Skills commensurate with any services performed.
• Experience/ training in a related field and/or in volunteer activity.
• Comfortable with hospice philosophy, policy and practice.
• Good understanding of palliative care and support.
• Emotionally stable and willing to provide emotional support to the patient and family facing death, if patient volunteer.
• No personal experience with a spouse/parent/child death within the last year highly recommended
• Good written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to execute a supportive and sensitive approach to patient/family needs.
• New Mexico driver’s license and availability of a car
• *The Norther New Mexico service area includes Santa Fe, Tesuque, Nambe, Pojoaque, La Mesilla, Santa Cruz, La Puebla, El Llano, Cordova, Chimayo, Espanola, Ohkay Owingeh, Alcalde, El Guique, Medanales, El Dorado, Lamy, Pecos**