SUNRISE, Fla., April 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Interim HealthCare, the nation's first and finest healthcare and in-home senior care franchise, announced today it has partnered with the Humane Society to launch Pals2Pets, a training program designed to train care professionals in proper pet care allowing seniors to receive the care they require without leaving their home and pets.  The Pals2Pets program is part of Interim HealthCare's HomeLife Enrichment program, which focuses on all the aspects of aging, helping people live enriched, safe and independent lives.   

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According to a study in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society, caring for a cat or dog helps elderly people overcome depression or loneliness. Many senior citizens even consider pets family, in fact half of the senior population, ages 62 and over own at least one pet.

For many seniors, it's hard to imagine life without their pets. While some senior residential facilities see the value of pet ownership, many do not allow residents to keep a pet on-site. Through Interim HealthCare's Pals2Pets program, seniors do not have to worry about being separated from their pets to receive care. In addition to providing in-home senior care, care professionals are formally trained to assist clients with the needs of their pets, ranging from hygiene to safety.  

"At Interim HealthCare, we recognize the important role pets play in the lives of seniors," said Kathleen Gilmartin, CEO of Interim HealthCare. "We are proud to partner with the Humane Society to develop this special training program leveraging their principles and our expertise in helping seniors."

Care Professionals are certified and receive special training through an online course customized for Interim HealthCare by the Humane Society University. The program consists of three courses entitled Animal Safety and Hygiene, Recognizing Animal Abuse or Neglect and Interpreting Animal Behavior for Safe Handling.  

"Humane Society University is thrilled to present in-home workforce safety and animal awareness training for Interim HealthCare," said Denean Robinson, Ed. D, Dean of the School of Continuing Education, Humane Society University. "It's been a rewarding experience and we're excited to help more care professionals become more comfortable interacting with clients pets."

As part of the launch of the Pals2Pets training program, Interim HealthCare is inviting seniors to post videos and photos of them and their pets to the company's YouTube channel and Facebook page.  The videos and pictures will serve as a celebration of seniors bond with their pets.  

With a network of more than 300 independently owned franchises across the country, Interim HealthCare senior care franchises include non-medical and medical personal care, nursing and healthcare staffing services. The system has a 40 year history within the healthcare industry and many of their franchisees have an average tenure of 24 years.

For more information visit www.interimhealthcare.com.

About Interim HealthCare:

Founded in 1966, Interim HealthCare® is the nation's first and finest senior care franchise organizations. Through a comprehensive network of more than 300 independently owned franchise offices, Interim HealthCare franchisees are the largest combined provider of community-based home care and health care staffing services. Interim HealthCare is unique in combining the commitment of local ownership with the support of a national organization that develops innovative programs and quality standards that improve the delivery of service through franchisees that employ more than 75,000 health care workers who serve 50,000 people each day. For more information or to locate an Interim HealthCare office, visit www.interimhealthcare.com.

About Humane Society University:

The Humane Society University (HSU) is a private, non-profit institution offering a variety of online, classroom, and hybrid undergraduate degree, graduate certificate and professional development programs in human-animal studies. HSU is comprised of two parts: the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Continuing Education. Based in Washington, D.C., HSU's School of Arts and Sciences is the first higher education institution in the country licensed to provide Bachelor of Science degrees and Graduate Certificates in Animal Studies, Animal Policy and Advocacy, and Humane Leadership. HSU's School of Continuing Education offers nearly sixty specialized courses available online, or instructed locally throughout the United States. Visit www.humanesocietyuniversity.org  for more information.

Media Contact:
Carmen Ordonez
cordonez@fish-consulting.com
954-893-9150

SOURCE Interim HealthCare