The
POWER of Pet Therapy
Carol
Mestemacher, Hospice of Southern Illinois’ Volunteer, and her partner, Magnum,
Facility Dog at Hospice of Southern Illinois’ Hospice Home, Relais Bonne
Eau, visited over 20 seniors at the Millstadt Senior Center on May 4th
to present “The POWER of Pet Therapy". The shared their knowledge and wonderful
experiences in pet therapy. Trained by
CHAMP Assistance Dogs, Magnum brings joy and comfort wherever he goes. Regardless of a health or age, pet therapy
has the power to positively impact people both physically and emotionally. Carol and Magnum told heartwarming stories
about their work with patients, families and the communities they serve. Finally, they explained their volunteer work
for Hospice of Southern Illinois and how pet therapy brings a special element
to the end-of-life journey for patients and their family alike. The
presentation was held outside on the front porch with an amazing breeze on a beautiful
day!
Magnum
and Carol are a certified Facility Dog Team and therapy Dog Team with CHAMP
Assistance Dogs. They visit patients on a daily basis at the Hospice Home. Magnum and Carol work to
promote the mission of Hospice of Southern Illinois: to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones
touched by a terminal illness.
Hospice
of Southern Illinois is your community not-for-profit hospice program serving
27 counties in southern Illinois since 1981. Our commitment at Hospice of
Southern Illinois is to be with our patients and their loved ones through the
changing needs of the end-of-life process and the grief experience. For more
information about Hospice of Southern Illinois or Pet Therapy, visit our
website, www.hospice.org, or call, 618-235-1703.
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