Do people love your pet, and does your pet love people? Would you love to have a way to spend more time with your pet while bringing joy to others? You and your beloved companion may just be perfect candidates to visit seniors, who can no longer care for a pet themselves. Laurus Hospice is seeking people who are willing to take their own gentle and well-behaved pets on visits to hospice patients throughout their community and the communities surrounding. Pets must be a minimum of one year old to be considered, current on their veterinary shots, and must be "interviewed" by our staff. To be considered, animals do NOT have to be certified therapy pets- though therapy animals are much needed as well. We can provide resources to certify an animal at the owner/volunteer’s cost should you desire this certification.

Quality of care is one of the cornerstones of our mission - a mission that could not be accomplished without the many 'helping hands' AND 'helping paws' of our volunteers.

Visits take place in patients' own homes, as well as nursing homes, assisted living and memory care facilities, and group homes. Our hospice volunteers have shared that they find their work to be personally gratifying and meaningful, and we hope that you will share in this experience.

We ask that new volunteers make a commitment to dedicate 4-6 hours per month to volunteering. We also ask that our volunteers make at least a three (3) month commitment to volunteering. Volunteers will be provided with ongoing one-on-one staff support throughout their service with us, and will be invited to ongoing education opportunities, and appreciation events. Our volunteers must complete an application, interview, background checks, an orientation class, fingerprinting, and TB testing, and provide annual updated veterinary records if volunteering with their own pets.

Corsocare/Laurus Hospice will provide all PPE necessary to ensure you and your patient have a safe and enriching experience on every visit.

Many patients and families are forever changed by their hospice volunteer. Comprehensive hospice training and orientation is provided, free of charge, as well as ongoing support and hospice education opportunities. Should you have any questions, or need further information, please contact Jessi Hall, Regional Volunteer Coordinator, at (248)704-0396 OR jhall@laurushospice.com.

"I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a pet that you can get from no other source."- Doris Day