Visiting Pet Volunteer- Corewell Health Hospice West Michigan

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Additional Therapy Certified Dogs and Cats needed!

( Please note: Our 2024 Volunteer Orientation sessions have been completed. 2025 session dates and times will be announced in January. The application process and online training component must be completed to be eligible to register for the in-person orientation.).

Note: Volunteer Orientation sessions are scheduled throughout the year. Complete the application process to receive email announcements of upcoming sessions as they are scheduled and accepting registrations.

Volunteers can complete their training and onboarding into our volunteer program while waiting for their pets to be certified thru a qualifying therapy pet program.

Do you have a mild mannered, friendly and people-loving pet that would bring joy, encouragement and caring to our end-of-life patients? A furry friend can bring comforting presence thru a warm nuzzle, a comforting purr and a friendly face that just wants a pet. As a Visiting Pet volunteer, you would be assigned to patients in long-term care facilities and hospitals where patients are receiving hospice services.

Visiting pets need to be certified through a qualifying therapy program. (Some of the local West Michigan programs that meet our criteria included, West Michigan Therapy Dogs, Love on a Leash and Therapy Dogs International). If you have not yet been certified - you can contact your local therapy dog program to sign up for the next available class. Humans are encouraged to register their furry friends for certification prior to volunteer training.

Volunteers especially needed in Ada, Big Rapids, Caledonia, Fremont, Grandville, Grand Rapids, Holland, Lowell, Middleville, Newaygo and Rockford areas. Note: Volunteers are asked to wait one year after the death of a family member or friend before volunteering.

We offer a flexible Volunteer Orientation!

This training program format will allow candidates to complete some of the required training thru an on-line program at your convenience and provide additional times and locations for the in-person training component. The goal is to shorten the on-boarding process and add more flexibility in the training process making it easier for interested individuals to join our volunteer program.

We will work with you to help you join our volunteer program and start supporting patients thru out our 11 county service area! Contact us to receive more information and application instructions. Call Yvonne at (616)391-4240 or toll free at 1-866-542-7945. Email us at: hospice.volunteers@corewellhealth.org .