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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2010

CONTACT: Melissa DelaCalzada, San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine, (619) 278-6139 mdelacalzada@sdhospice.org

SAN DIEGO — San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine has partnered with Banfield Charitable Trust to be the first local provider of Pet Peace of Mind, a national program, which recognizes and actively supports the unique bond between hospice patients and their pets.

Pet Peace of Mind allows patients to complete their end of life journeys without worrying about their dog or cat’s immediate needs. The initiative provides volunteer pet care services for patients who are unable to care for their dog or cat while on service at San Diego Hospice. This includes assistance with pet food, taking pets for a walk, financial assistance with routine veterinary care, transporting the pet to veterinary appointments, grooming, pet boarding and more.  The program launched in early December and aligns with San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine’s mission to promote quality of life at every stage of life.

“We strive to meet all of the needs of the family, physically, spiritually and emotionally,” said Kim Heinrichs, Executive Director for Volunteer Resources at San Diego Hospice. “For some patients their relationship with their pet is the most important relationship in their lives so we felt this program was an innovative way to meet those spiritual and emotional needs.”

Currently San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine is the only hospice locally to provide Pet Peace of Mind or any other type of similar service. “Although there are several organizations that help feed pets or take dogs for walks, what makes Pet Peace of Mind different is keeping the family together at a critical time in their life,” Heinrichs said.

"The success of the program and the ability to supply these services relies heavily on both volunteer and philanthropic support of the San Diego Community," said Traci Bruckner Chief Development Officer at San Diego Hospice. This program is currently in need donors and community partners. Monetary donations of any size designated to the Pet Peace of Mind fund will help provide medications, food and/or boarding for pets if a hospice patient is hospitalized or transferred to a facility. Community partners help by donating vet and grooming services.

For more information about the Pet Peace of Mind program, make a donation or become a community partner call 619-278-6451 or email volunteer@sdhospice.org.

About San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine
San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine is one of the largest community-owned, not-for-profit hospices in the country, with the largest resource in the world for training palliative medicine physicians and other specialists. The organization brings compassionate, expert medical care to more than 1,000 seriously ill adults and children each day throughout San Diego and North County. In addition, the organization provides professional grief and loss support to more than 12,000 individuals each year. More information is available online at www.sdhospice.org or call toll-free: 1-866-688-1600. Join our online communities at www.Facebook.com/SanDiegoHospice and www.Twitter.com/SanDiegoHospice.

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