Mercy Home Health and Hospice Care takes patient family engagement to a new level. Since December 2012, hospice staff and a team of volunteers have eased patients' concerns through the Pet Peace of Mind program, which provides free pet-care services for patients unable to look after their household companions.
“Pets offer unconditional love, acceptance and companionship during a time when terminally ill patients need it most. Our goal is to keep pets and their families together by providing volunteers to help hospice patients with their pet-care needs,” said Javon Bea, president and CEO of the Janesville, Wis.-based Mercy Health System.
The program last month won the Medical Group Management Association's Fred Graham Award for Innovation in Improving Community Health. Bea said the program has partnered with local veterinarians and pet groomers to offer services at reduced costs. The program has taken care of nearly 40 pets so far, including Tasha, an American Eskimo dog who was a regular visitor to Mercy Hospice until her owner died. After a patient's death, Mercy Hospice finds pets a new home. Tasha's new owners have even taken the dog to visit the original owner's daughter, Bea said.
The program cares for dogs, cats, birds, fish or “virtually any legal pet,” Bea said. Services include feeding, dog walking and grooming, cat-box cleaning and transportation to the vet's office.
“Our patients are challenged with life-limiting illnesses, and struggle physically and emotionally to care for themselves, let alone their pets,” Bea said. “Oftentimes, there is no one in the family who is able, or desires, to step forward to care for the remaining pet. Worrying about their beloved pets and what will happen to them causes our patients untold stress, concern and heartache.”
