Pet Therapy for Hospice Patients

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Pet Therapy for Hospice Patients

Do you have a certified therapy Dog, Cat or other pet? Are you a caring person with a compassionate heart? Become a hospice volunteer and share the love of your pet with others who have a life-limiting illness. Being a hospice volunteer not only makes a difference in a patient’s life but also in yours too.

Amedisys HOSPICE OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR PET THERAPY:

• Each volunteer who provides an animal for pet therapy must meet the requirements of an Amedisys direct care volunteer, including volunteer training.
• Any pet intended to make patient visits must have an affidavit by their owner that the pet has no history of aggressive behavior towards strangers.
• Any pet intended to make patient visits must be certified by a humane-animal organization.
• Each volunteer providing a pet to Amedisys hospice for pet therapy must sign a statement releasing Amedisys from any liability related to pet behavior.
• Each pet must have a file with Amedisys Hospice that includes the animal’s health history and up to date vaccination record.
• When pet therapy is requested, the volunteer coordinator will make a visit to the patient’s residence (whether at home or in a facility) to assess and arrange for an animal to be assigned.
• The Volunteer coordinator will contact the volunteer animal handler to schedule visit.
• Pet Handler should ensure no animal jeopardizes the health, safety, comfort, treatment or wellbeing of the patients/residents, staff, or any person (s) not being serviced.
• The presence of animal (s) should not interfere with the health and rights of other individuals not being serviced, i.e. noise, odor, allergies, and interference with free movement.
• Pet handler should adhere to the patient’s residence (whether at home or in a facility) rules, policy and procedures with the intent of or providing therapy.

Thank you, Jan Sturgeon (864) 335-0455 Janine.sturgeon@amedisys.com