Niagara Hospice has scheduled a volunteer training for 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, March 19-20, at the Niagara Hospice Administrative building, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport.
Marketing, Public Relations and Volunteer Services Director Tricia Degan said there are many volunteer opportunities available, including working with patients as well as nonpatient-related tasks, and anyone can attend this training.
The agency's most immediate needs for volunteers are to make home visits, as well as certified pet visit volunteers. While visiting patients, volunteers may just talk, read the paper or a book to the patient, play cards or do other activities. They may also just provide a hand to hold while the family caregivers take a much-deserved break.
Niagara Hospice will soon provide a new service for hospice patients aimed at keeping beloved pets and their owners together. "Pet Peace of Mind" services will include financial assistance, based on need, with veterinary appointments and grooming; transporting pets to appointments; assistance with pet care; purchasing needed pet food and supplies.
The "Pet Peace of Mind" program requires volunteers have a background in pet care, such as veterinarians, vet techs, pet groomers, pet shelter workers and volunteers, professional dog walkers, etc. Anyone in such a field is encouraged to apply and attend the volunteer training.
Contact the Niagara Hospice volunteer office at 716-280-0748 for an application or to register for training. More information and volunteer applications are also available at
www.NiagaraHospice.org.
