New Compassus program needs pet volunteers
May 13, 2020
Compassus wants to make your dog a part of their volunteer program.
According to Brenda Smith, Bereavement and Volunteer Coordinator, Compassus is seeking human volunteers and their dogs to participate in Compassus Pet Pals, a certified pet therapy program for hospice patients in Barry, Lawrence and Stone Counties.
“I foresee this program being a valuable asset,” Smith said. “Many people in residential care have had to leave their pets behind, something they’re sad about. With pet pals, they’ll have a chance to interact with an animal again on a limited basis.”
According to Smith, in order to be a volunteer, dog owners must first pass acceptable background checks and health screenings and take a training course for human hospice volunteers. Their dogs must be clean, well-groomed, be assessed for their ability to interact comfortably with strangers and have a series of required vaccinations (if they have not had them already). Both owners and dogs will then participate together in a certification program for pets.
Many approved certifying organizations are available, including Pet Partners, Therapy Dogs International, AKC Therapy Dog Program and Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Most charge a small annual fee.
For more information about volunteering for this program, please contact Brenda Smith at 417-235-9097.
According to Brenda Smith, Bereavement and Volunteer Coordinator, Compassus is seeking human volunteers and their dogs to participate in Compassus Pet Pals, a certified pet therapy program for hospice patients in Barry, Lawrence and Stone Counties.
“I foresee this program being a valuable asset,” Smith said. “Many people in residential care have had to leave their pets behind, something they’re sad about. With pet pals, they’ll have a chance to interact with an animal again on a limited basis.”
According to Smith, in order to be a volunteer, dog owners must first pass acceptable background checks and health screenings and take a training course for human hospice volunteers. Their dogs must be clean, well-groomed, be assessed for their ability to interact comfortably with strangers and have a series of required vaccinations (if they have not had them already). Both owners and dogs will then participate together in a certification program for pets.
Many approved certifying organizations are available, including Pet Partners, Therapy Dogs International, AKC Therapy Dog Program and Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Most charge a small annual fee.
For more information about volunteering for this program, please contact Brenda Smith at 417-235-9097.
