The POWER of Pet Therapy

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 4^th 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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First and Only Four-Legged Ambassador in Southern Illinois

The Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce has taken an innovative approach to their ambassador program selecting Magnum, Facility Dog at Hospice of Southern Illinois’ Community Hospice Home, Relais Bonne Eau, as the newest member of their ambassador committee. He is the first and only four-legged ambassador on the Ed/Glen Chamber’s committee and in southern Illinois. Hospice of Southern Illinois, the Ed/Glen Chamber, and Magnum are excited and proud to announce his acceptance of this new role. He is seen not only as a representative of these organizations, but also as a representative of service, encouragement and unconditional love.  

Magnum is certified as a Facility Dog and Therapy Dog with C.H.A.M.P. (Canine Helpers Allow More Possibilities) Assistance Dogs, Inc. Magnum is the Facility Dog at Hospice of Southern Illinois’ Community Hospice Home, Relais Bonne Eau. He brings comfort and joy to everyone he meets, making certain everyone from patients, their families and staff are cared for and loved.  Magnum’s day-to-day job is to listen to people, give them hugs, and make them smile with his energy and enthusiasm for life. His support will help the Ed/Glen Chamber and Hospice of Southern Illinois both communicate the importance of serving our community and advocate their missions.

Magnum’s years of experience serving others gave Ed/Glen Chamber leadership the confidence he would be a good fit for their organization. In their new volunteer roles he and his partner, Carol Mestemacher, are part of the ambassador committee, comprised of the Ed/Glen Chamber’s most active members serving as goodwill messengers for the chamber and community.  They will attend networking meetings, ribbon cuttings, and events hosted by and through the chamber. Everyone involved is excited for this new collaboration and cannot wait to see what the future brings.

 “We are honored to have Magnum as our newest ambassador,” said Ed/Glen Chamber President/CEO Desirée Bennyhoff. “This kind of partnership between vital service organizations and our business community is so well aligned with our mission, providing our members the opportunity to collaborate by raising awareness and celebrating prosperity. I offer my sincerest thanks to the Hospice of Southern Illinois staff and Mrs. Mestemacher for their dedication to Magnum’s new Ed/Glen Chamber ambassador role.”

The Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven organization, dedicated to a strong, private sector regional economy. The mission of Hospice of Southern Illinois is to “enhance the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones touched by a terminal illness.” If you would like to learn more about our organizations or the programs we provide, please visit our websites, www.hospice.org or www.edglenchamber.com.