hospice-pet
Hospice Pet Therapy Volunteer
Be a comfort companion
At Lifespark, you and your furry friend will bring joy and meaning to someone’s day. You’ll find giving comfort to a Lifespark client and family fills your own heart as well.
No health care experience required – just the willingness of you and your pet to make a big difference.
A Lifespark Hospice Pet Visitor Volunteer offers companionship and support services to hospice clients and families by providing friendly visits with a certified pet.
Lifespark Hospice provides services, mainly to seniors, in the seven-county, metro area of Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN.
Position Functions and Responsibilities
- Serve as an integral member of the interdisciplinary group amid various settings: client homes; assisted living, memory care or skilled nursing facilities; inpatient hospitals; hospice-homes.
— - Provide emotional support and friendly visits with certified pet
— - May provide respite to allow families/caregivers to take time away from hospice client.
— - May provide “vigil support” at end of life.
— - Maintains open communication and completes documentation of visits, per policy.
— - May attend interdisciplinary group meetings, as appropriate.
Qualifications
- Pet owner with current certification through Therapy Dogs International, Pet Partners or a comparable program.
— - Proof of pet liability insurance.
— - Veterinary vaccination records.
— - Mature individual, supportive of the hospice concept, comfortable with his/her own mortality and spirituality and willing to serve others in a volunteer capacity.
— - Clearance from appropriate health screenings and background check.
— - Successful completion of the hospice’s volunteer training and orientation program; annual training.
— - Independent means of transportation.
— - Comfortable working with families with different cultural and religious values.
— - Previous volunteer experience preferred.
— - Ability to work within the interdisciplinary group and uphold Lifesprk policies and procedures.
— - Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and appropriate boundaries, in accordance with policies.
— - Must pass a MVR check based on Lifespark company policy
