HPCCC recognizes the relationship between patients and animals. Therefore, HPCCC has developed Comforting Paws, a formal pet visitation program to benefit our patients and their families.

A pet visitation program is intended to enhance quality of life and is performed by pet volunteers (handlers). Not all pets can perform pet visitation. Prior to making visits, the pet will have passed a screening and it will have achieved a basic level of training through a certified therapy organization. The handler will have also received a basic level of training through a certified therapy organization as well as completed the 12-hour volunteer training course through HPCCC.

There are several certified therapy organizations that certify animals and handlers for therapy work. Some of these include Delta Society Pet Partner's Program, Therapy Dogs International, and paws4people Foundation. HPCCC requires that the therapy organization carry primary liability insurance.

There are many benefits to pet visitation. Animals provide people with companionship, love, and something to look forward to. Patients become more sociable and experience less loneliness and depression when animals are present. In hospice settings, animals are used to provide stimulation, conversation, and comfort to the caregiver or family members. Animals can also be an entertaining diversion from problems and distract patients from pain. Research suggests that when people pet an animal, endorphins are released in their brains. Endorphins are the body’s natural pain suppressers, and when some patients pet animals, they report less pain than when the animal is not present.

Acceptance from an animal is non-judgmental, forgiving, and uncomplicated. Animals pay little attention to age or physical ability. They accept people as they are, with unconditional love.

If you are interested in participating in the HPCCC Comforting Paws program, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 704-935-9434 for more information.