Florida Hospital HospiceCare Introduces New Pet Peace of Mind Program

ORMOND BEACH, Fla., January 5, 2016 Florida Hospital HospiceCare has introduced a new program to help hospice patients care for their pets during their care.

Called Pet Peace of Mind, this national program allows patients to complete their end of life journey without worrying about their pets current or future needs.

Offered to nonprofit hospices like Florida Hospital HospiceCare by Senior Pet Care Resource Network, the Pet Peace of Mind initiative provides volunteer pet care services for patients who are unable to care for their pets while receiving hospice care. Services include assistance with pet food, financial assistance with routine veterinary care, transporting the pet to veterinary or grooming appointments, emergency pet boarding, walking, and more.

Many patients have expressed concerns to us about meeting their pets needs and everyday care, said Barbara Cady, Florida Hospital HospiceCare Pet Peace of Mind coordinator. The program recognizes and supports the unique bond between hospice patients and their pets, and aligns with the Florida Hospital HospiceCare mission to care for both the patient and their family members with spiritual, psychological and medical support. We wanted to find a way to help relieve our patients stress and fears about the care of their pet. The national Pet Peace of Mind Program offers us the tools and training to help care for our patients four-legged family members.

Tomoka Pines Veterinary Hospital veterinarian Dr. K. Kelly Long will serve as Florida Hospital HospiceCare's Pet Peace of Mind consulting veterinarian and advisor to Cady.

I am honored and humbled to be involved with this program. Families who are unable to focus on their pets health and care during hospice care, I look forward to easing their concerns as the Pet Peace of Mind consulting veterinarian, Long said. It will be a pleasure to not only serve those in need, but also to provide a service to the community that will assure a true peace of mind for all those seeking our assistance.

For more information about Florida Hospital HospiceCare's Pet Peace of Mind program or to support this effort by volunteering or providing financial support by becoming a sponsor, contact Cady at Call386-671-4761.

About Florida Hospital HospiceCare

Florida Hospital HospiceCare, a division of Florida Hospital Flagler and a member of Adventist Health System, is the areas only faith based, not-for-profit hospice organization accredited by The Joint Commission. Florida Hospital HospiceCare has provided life affirming care to the residents of Volusia and Flagler Counties facing life-limiting illnesses and injuries since 1996. With an interdisciplinary team of hospice-trained specialists, Florida Hospital HospiceCare provides services to those in need, whether the patient is in their own home or in one of the Florida Hospital HospiceCare inpatients units designed for acute care. For more information on Florida Hospital HospiceCare, call our administrative office at Call386-671-2138 or Call1-800-404-1133.