Media Contact:

Gretchen Rye

Volunteer Manager

Peterson Hospice

New Pet Peace of Mind Hospice Program Keeps Pets and Families Together During Hospice Care

 Kerrville, Texas August 6, 2020 Peterson Hospice is pleased to announce a new program aimed at helping hospice patients care for their pets. Pet Peace of Mind, which recognizes and actively supports the unique bond between hospice patients and their pets, launches this month and aligns with the Peterson Hospice’s mission to provide exceptional, compassionate, patient-centered care.

 Pet Peace of Mind allows patients to complete their end-of-life journey without worrying about their pet’s current or future needs. The initiative provides volunteer pet care services for patients who are unable to care for their pets while on hospice. These services offer care for cats and dogs including daily walking, playing and waste cleanup, picking up food, medications and supplies, taking pet(s) to veterinarian for medical care/checkups, and providing adoption assistance. Dr. Katlyn Rosenbaum with Kerrville Veterinary Clinic has partnered with Peterson Hospice as our veterinarian advisor. Dr. Rosenbaum will assist in training and educating our volunteers as well as the community. In addition, Karen Broussard Guerriero with Kerrville Pets Alive! will assist us in the rehoming process and provide advocacy in the community.

Pet Peace of Mind, a national nonprofit headquartered in Salem, Oregon, offers the program to hospices, hospitals and home health care agencies throughout the country.

“This program offers an extension of Peterson Hospice’s exceptional, compassionate, patient-centered care by understanding how much pets are a part of our patients’ families and lives.” said Gretchen Rye, Volunteer Manager. “Like a puzzle, it’s a piece of their life we are keeping together throughout their journey” adds Lori Davis, Volunteer Coordinator. “Many hospices want to start a pet care program but are unsure about how to get one started. Pet Peace of Mind offers them the tools and training to help care for their patients’ four-legged family members,” said Dianne McGill, President of Pet Peace of Mind.

You can help support this effort by becoming a Peterson Hospice Volunteer. We will be hosting new volunteer training on Monday, August 31st – Tuesday, September 1, 2020 from 9am-4pm. Please contact Gretchen or Lori in the volunteer office at (830) 258-7799 for an application.

Pet Peace of Mind is a registered trademark of Pet Peace of Mind, Inc.