Volunteers are the heart of Heartland Hospice! We are looking for pet/handler teams in DeKalb and the surrounding communities to enrich the lives of our hospice patients by providing companionship and meaningful interactions between animal and patient. Hours are flexible and scheduled according to your availability and location. If you have a friendly canine that has a lot of love to give and spreads joy wherever he/she goes, this is the opportunity for you! If your dog is currently certified as a therapy animal through an approved, reputable organization, you can immediately apply to become a Heartland Hospice volunteer. If your dog is not yet certified as a therapy animal we will be happy to assist you with this process.

Once your pet is certified, you will be trained to become a Heartland Hospice volunteer. Qualifications of Pet Visit Volunteer: must be at least 18 years old; agree to a background/reference check; and attend an orientation to learn more about the philosophy of hospice care and our company, the role of the volunteer, and communicating with hospice patients and their families. Volunteer hours are flexible and scheduled according to the personality and needs of the patient and volunteer. Travel is required so reliable transportation is needed. Please contact Heartland Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, Janine, at (815)397-3691 or Janine.idstein@hcr-manorcare.com for more information.