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Pet Therapy

Pet Therapy uses the natural bond between humans and animals to comfort patients with a life-limiting illness. Animals can help alleviate symptoms or act as companions who provide a presence as patient's work through end-of-life emotions. Pet visits provide a great opportunity to give affection and receive it.

Traditions Health volunteers and their certified therapy pets have been trained to provide comfort and stress relief in various situations. Our volunteers aim to ensure that every patient has an optimal experience during their pet therapy session.

  • Social interaction
  • Stress management
  • Anxiety reduction
  • Pain relief
  • Lessening of emotional pain
  • Enhanced quality of life
Pet Therapy for the Mind, Body, and Spirit

Participating Branches

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Traditions Health Greenville
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Traditions Health Greenwood
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Traditions Health Longview

PET THERAPY

Frequently Asked Questions

We are here to help you. Listed are frequently asked questions regarding pet therapy. If you have a question that is not covered in our FAQ please contact us and a Traditions Health team member will be happy to assist you.

Retired mother and daughter spend time together at home, with their dog, playing a game.

What is pet therapy?

Pet therapy is a type of comfort care where certified pets visit patients with life-limiting illnesses to help reduce stress and anxiety, and provide emotional support.

What are the benefits of pet therapy?

There are many benefits of pet therapy. It can help combat loneliness and isolation, lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and overall enhance the patient's quality of life.

Who brings the pets for pet therapy?

Trained volunteers bring their certified pets. They coordinate all visits with the hospice care team to ensure the safety of the patient.

What does a typical pet therapy visit look like?

What a pet therapy visit looks like will vary depending on the comfort of the patient. The encounter could range from the pet simply being in the room, to the patient petting and engaging with the animal.

What are the qualifications for the dogs in the pet therapy program?

All dogs in the pet therapy program must be up to date on all vaccinations, deemed medically fit by a veterinarian, and certified by an accredited agency, like Therapy Dogs International (TDI).

Is the hospice care team involved with the pet therapy visits?

Yes, the hospice care team is an integral part of the pet therapy program. They will coordinate visits with the volunteer, ensure the safety and comfort of the patient, and answer any questions the patient or family might have.

THE MAGIC OF A PAW

Pet Therapy Volunteers

Our pet therapy program uses trained hospice volunteers and their own certified pet therapy animals to provide the comfort, attention, and support only an animal can give. To learn more about how you and your pet can volunteer, email [email protected].

Learn more about volunteering

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We Welcome Your Questions.

Contact Us and a member of our Traditions Health team will contact you to provide you with the answers you need.

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