Pet Peace of Mind Helps Hospice and Palliative Care Patients Keep Their Pets

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- People have come to bond with their pets in much the same way they bond with people. Pets are treated and loved like family members and they comfort their owners much like a close friend or relative. It is no wonder then that during one of the most important and challenging life stages — the end-of-life journey — pets can play a critical role.

For these pet families, the human-pet bond takes on deeper meaning and value. Pets may serve as their sole source of companionship, comfort and love and give them hope and a reason to get up every day. As their illness progresses, most patients will need help with pet care issues. National Hospice and Palliative Care Community is working with Pet Peace of Mind to address this important need.

Some patients are fortunate to have a broad support network and receive all they assistance they need. Unfortunately, as some families deal with grief and loss surrounding the patient's illness, beloved pets may be overlooked or treated as an afterthought by family members who are unfamiliar with the patient's bond with a pet.

Since 2009, Pet Peace of Mind has provided the solution to this challenging situation. Pet Peace of Mind helps local nonprofit hospice and palliative care organizations meet the needs of their patients with pets.

"I know of countless patients who have said that their pet is their lifeline. Pets are great medicine for coping with the anxiety that comes from dealing with a serious medical condition. For many patients, keeping their pets near them during the end of life journey and finding homes for their beloved pets after they pass is one of the most important pieces of unfinished business," said Dianne McGill, president and CEO at Pet Peace of Mind.

Pet Peace of Mind helps nonprofit hospices and palliative care programs successfully build volunteer-based programs that help your patients maintain the bond with their pets. PPOM provides a turnkey program covering everything an organization needs to get started including a well-established program module, staff and volunteer training, start-up funding, marketing materials, and plenty of ongoing coaching once the program is operational.

Learn more about Pet Peace of Mind and share some of the touching videos available at http://petpeaceofmind.org.  

Contact:
Jon Radulovic
NHPCO Vice President, Communications
Ph: 703-837-3139

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1yOQQ8EiFY
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110105/DC25260LOGO

SOURCE National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization