Volunteer- Hospice Pet Therapy

Tomah Health•Tomah, WI

About The Position

Tomah Health Hospice Touch seeks compassionate pet therapy teams to provide services to patients in facilities located in Sparta, Mauston, and New Lisbon. The Hospice Touch therapy dog program provides comfort, support, and animal companionship to patients, their families, and staff through highly trained therapy dog teams serving in a volunteer capacity. This is a volunteer position and is not benefit eligible. Direct-care volunteers provide companionship, visiting, active listening, and emotional support to patients and families. They follow assigned schedules, communicate concerns and complaints to hospice staff, document activities and time, and maintain appropriate boundaries. Volunteers may also assist with fundraising, community outreach, special projects, and events as their availability and interests allow. Indirect-care responsibilities include completing required hospice and task-specific training, attending volunteer meetings and educational offerings, maintaining confidentiality, cooperating with the hospice team, and seeking support or direction when needed. Volunteers are expected to uphold Tomah Health's standards for work ethics, communication, teamwork, quality, professionalism, and attitude. The role may involve visiting patients in facilities or homes, frequent interaction with distressed patients and families, and driving in varying weather and road conditions. Volunteers must meet hospice health screening criteria and be able to perform the listed physical activities and respond effectively to stressful situations.

Requirements

Ability to read and write.
Successful completion of hospice volunteer training.
Proof of current membership or identification from Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Therapy Dogs International, Delta Society/Pet Partners, or another national-standard pet therapy program.
Copy of the handler's dog's AKC Canine Good Citizen certificate, earned within the last two years.
Documentation that the dog is current on rabies and distemper vaccinations, fecal worm check, and physical exam.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact positively with all customers.
Ability to work with frequent interruptions and minimal supervision.
High integrity, sense of responsibility, and ability to comprehend details.
Good record-keeping, telephone, and organizational skills.
Comfort serving as a volunteer and patient advocate.
Meet Hospice health screenings and criteria.
Good hearing to receive detailed information through oral communication.
Valid driver's license and proof of insurance may be required depending on assignment; motor vehicle record checks are conducted every two years when applicable.
Background check per hospital policy.
Ability to function effectively under stressful situations.
Ability to perform the listed physical requirements, including occasionally lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds.

Responsibilities

Provide emotional support to patients and families through companionship, visits, and active listening.
Obtain verbal and written reports on each assignment.
Focus conversations on patient interests and life review; listen without judgment and avoid offering advice or attempting to solve problems.
Serve regularly according to Hospice Touch needs and mutually determined schedules and assignments.
Participate in fundraising, community outreach, special projects, memorial services, and community programs as able.
Report to the hospice team as needed and promptly communicate patient or caregiver complaints to the Volunteer Specialist or RN Case Manager, including documenting complaints in volunteer notes.
Contact the hospice office before making an extra or unscheduled visit; contact the RN on-call on weekends when applicable.
Notify the hospice office when ill or unable to keep an appointment, and report injuries or safety concerns.
Maintain appropriate boundaries, visit only when scheduled or assigned, and neither share personal contact information nor give or accept gifts from patients and families.
Complete hospice orientation, confidentiality, body mechanics, infection-control, and task-specific training.
Attend volunteer meetings and educational offerings.
Maintain confidentiality regarding clients, families, healthcare personnel, and the agency.
Record activities and time in the Serenity House sign-in book or notify the Volunteer Specialist or hospice office.
Report concerns about assigned duties to the Volunteer Specialist, Coordinator, or Director and work cooperatively with team members and staff.
Show initiative in self-development, manage stress and change, use effective listening and communication, and seek support when needed.
Uphold Tomah Health standards for work ethics, communication, teamwork, quality, professionalism, and attitude.