Hos-Pets

What is Hos-Pets?

‘Hos-Pets’ is Hospice Care of the Lowcountry’s volunteer Pet Therapy Program. Founded in 2008 this program boasts a volunteer staff of 52 certified Canine Good Citizen Dogs, 18 of which hold the highest certification possible, Therapy Dog International. These gentle, nurturing animals and their owners provide pet therapy to our patients at home and in local community health care facilities.

What are the Benefits of Hos-Pet Therapy?

Whether in a private residence or a residential facility; pet therapy creates an opportunity for socialization between patients and volunteers. A common interest in the animal can also be used as a tool in establishing open lines of communication between patients, family members and facility staff.

Contact with therapy dogs can, in many cases, trigger the release of endorphins in a person’s brain and significantly reduce patient anxiety. Pet assisted therapy also promotes physical movement. Whether the patient chooses to simply reach out and pat the dog or go even farther by inviting the animal to come up and sit in their lap; there is no doubt the positive effect that pet therapy provides in lives of the ill, grieving or withdrawn.

How Can I Show My Support for Hos-Pets?

Hospice care of the Lowcountry is the only independent Medicare certified non-profit hospice organization in Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton Counties. This means we are not owned by a parent company or affiliated with another regulatory non-profit organization. Donors can rest assured their money will not be used for profit or dispersed among several different non-profit organizations. Every dollar donated to Hospice Care of the Lowcountry goes directly into Hospice Care of the Lowcountry. We believe in accountability, not only to our patients and their families, but to our volunteers and donor base as well. As a non-profit organization, we have relied on the generosity of individual donors, as well as local area

businesses and community organizations, for over 27 years. We ask for your support so that we may continue to offer the exceptional variety of programs and expert level of patient care we have for over 27 years. There are currently three levels of sponsorship for our Hos-pets Program.

1.) ALPHA DOG: Thank You to The Island Pet Cremation Services for being our 2008 Alpha Dog Sponsor.

Donation of: $2,000 and up

Benefits: Public acknowledgement in local press and Hospice Care of the Lowcountry newsletter (circ. 3,000), listing on our website.

2.) PICK OF THE LITTER: This sponsorship level is designed to allow the donor to sponsor a dog for a period of one year. Your donation will pay for all costs incurred by a given dog for that one year period. Costs include: vests, patches, I.D. cards, leash & collar and hospice training for the owner.

Donation of: $200 and up

Benefits: Acknowledgment in Hospice care of the Lowcountry Newsletter (circ. 3000) and listing on our website.

3.) Pet Memorial Donation: Make a memorial donation to Hos-Pets in the name of your own beloved pet or help soothe the soul of a friend by making a donation in the name of their recently departed companion.

Donation of: $ Amount Unrestricted

Benefits: We will send a personal donor acknowledgment in the form of a beautifully designed, commemorative keepsake card, to which a photo of the animal can be affixed and kept as a lasting memento. With words of inspiration and an acknowledgment of your donation on the inside flap; this level of sponsorship is lovely way to honor the companion your friend so dearly loved.