“The Human-Pet bond is incredibly special. If we can help keep a patient and their pet together, it’s best for both the pet and the hospice patient,” says Jenny Johnson Vanlue, Willamette Vital Health staff member who started our local chapter of the Pet Peace of Mind® program.
Keeping patients and pets together
The Pet Peace of Mind® Program offers financial resources and trained hospice volunteers to help a pet owner with tasks they may not be able to do any longer, such as walking a dog, cleaning a litter box, or taking a pet to the groomer. Generous financial donations and in-kind resources help fund other needs such as pet food, cat litter, flea treatments, and basic veterinary care for those unable to afford them. Often times, these supportive services allow a hospice patient to keep their pet in their home with them throughout their illness and maintain the hospice patient’s quality of life.
Finding permanent homes for pets
For those hospice patients who are unable to keep their pets at home with them, Willamette Vital Health works alongside local rescues and foster families to find permanent homes for the animals.
Interested in becoming a volunteer or community partner? Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Shelley Wagener at 503.588.3600 or pets@wvh.org for more information on how you can help.
Walk-n-Wag fundraiser for Pet Peace of Mind®
The annual Walk-n-Wag raises the necessary funds to support veterinary care, grooming, food, and re-homing needs for the pets of hospice patients. In 2023, generous donors, sponsors and walkers raised over $22,000 with proceeds divided between Pet Peace of Mind and the Grief Care Outreach & Expansion project. See photos, and links to sponsors, community groups and vendors on the 11th Annual Walk-n-Wag page.
®Registered trademark of Pet Peace of Mind, Inc.
