Pet Therapy Volunteers Needed!

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Gentiva Hospice is looking for Pet Therapy Volunteers to provide companionship and emotional support to patients with life limiting conditions and their caregivers. Our patients reside in their own homes, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities all over the Forrest and Lamar County areas. How you serve and how often is completely up to you! Here are a few examples of how our Pet Therapy Volunteers serve:

• Engage with our hospice patients through Pet Therapy in any of the following:
  • Provide companionship and emotional support.
  • Provide a listening ear.
  • Encourage them to share life experiences.
  • Watch TV with them.

You choose how you want to serve and how often.

WE ARE accepting volunteers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Our patients and families need help now more than ever during these uncertain times. Our volunteers are here to help meet non-medical needs of our patients, their families, and our Gentiva staff. We are called to be a light in the darkness.

***Due to the requirements set by the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS), all volunteers are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19.***

PET THERAPY REQUIRED INFORMATION: At this time, we are only accepting dogs and or cats as part of our Pet Therapy Program. Dogs must be registered/certified through the American Kennel Club (http://www.akc.org/events/title-recognition-program/therapy/organizations/). A copy of the required vaccinations, medical evaluation, current certification/registration, in addition to the liability insurance coverage, must be given to the hospice for record keeping purposes before you may start volunteering with us (we can make copies at our office if needed). Required vaccines include Rabies and Distemper. All certifications/vaccinations/insurance must be maintained and valid at all times when volunteering with Gentiva Hospice.

NO medical experience is needed as volunteers DO NOT perform nursing duties or dispense medication. Please leave us your NAME, PHONE NUMBER and EMAIL ADDRESS so we can get in touch with you as soon as possible to discuss the benefits of being a Gentiva volunteer!