Pet Therapist for Hospice Patients (Holy Cross)

Certified Pet Therapist for Hospice Care

A Pet Therapist in a hospice setting is a trained professional who, along with a certified therapy animal, provides emotional, social, and even physical comfort to patients facing end-of-life care. Pet therapy, also known as animal-assisted therapy (AAT), has been shown to reduce anxiety, depression, pain, and feelings of loneliness in hospice patients.

Key Responsibilities of a Hospice Pet Therapist:

✔ Facilitate Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) - Bring certified therapy animals to patient visits to promote relaxation, companionship, and emotional well-being.

✔ Provide Comfort & Reduce Anxiety - Help ease stress, agitation, and pain through gentle interactions with a therapy animal.

✔ Assist with Memory & Connection - Evoke positive memories, conversation, and social interaction with patients and their families.

✔ Offer Bereavement Support - Provide comfort to grieving families through the calming presence of a therapy animal.

✔ Collaborate with Hospice Team - Work with nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers to incorporate pet therapy into individualized care plans.

Certification & Qualifications:

To be a certified hospice pet therapist, both the handler and the therapy animal must meet specific qualifications:

✅ Certified Therapy Animal & Handler

• Must be certified by a nationally recognized pet therapy organization, such as:
  • Pet Partners ( petpartners.org)
  • Alliance of Therapy Dogs ( therapydogs.com)
  • Therapy Dogs International (TDI) ( tdi-dog.org)
• The animal must pass temperament evaluations and training to ensure it is well-behaved, calm, and responsive in hospice environments.

✅ Hospice Training & Compliance

• The handler should undergo hospice volunteer training to understand patient needs, privacy laws (HIPAA), and infection control.
• Compliance with hospice policies regarding pet hygiene, vaccinations, and visit protocols.

✅ Preferred Background

• Experience working with the elderly, terminally ill, or individuals with disabilities.
• Strong empathy, patience, and communication skills.