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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Doctors' Day

Monday, March 30^th, is Doctors’ Day. Doctors across the country work hard every day to make people healthier and happier. There are so many types of doctors and we want to take this opportunity to thank them for their dedication to their studies, their passion for their patients, and their day-to-day work of making people better.

In hospice care, Medicare requires oversight by a doctor. At Hospice of Southern Illinois, we have our very own on-staff, full-time Medical Director, Dr. Ellen Middendorf, who provides our patients with a doctor whose only practice and focus is on Hospice of Southern Illinois’ patients end-of-life needs; our employees direct access to a physician for on-the-spot medication and symptom consultation; and our community as an advocate for end-of-life options. In addition to Dr. Middendorf, we have a team of part-time Medical Directors to assist, manage, and advocate for the patients and families at Hospice of Southern Illinois. We are proud to say we set the bar for hospice care in the community to ensure patients and families are getting the end-of-life care they deserve.

Thank you to our medical directors and all the doctors in southern Illinois for your service to the communities we serve! What you do really improves the quality of life for people in so many ways. To learn more about hospice care or our team of medical directors, you can contact Hospice of Southern Illinois at 800-233-1708 or visit our website, www.hospice.org.

There comes a time… for us to serve you.

Happy New Year

For many, the new year is a time to renew, refresh, and reflect. We want to take this time to thank you! Thank you for the many memories, support, and most importantly, trusting us with the care of your loved one. We appreciate everything you do for us and we are honored provide excellent hospice care to you and your loved ones.

Having trouble viewing? Click this link to watch: http://youtu.be/xgvGU1-PNoc. 

Wishing you the very best in the new year!