What is Pet Peace of Mind?

For many in hospice care, a decline in physical condition impacts a patient’s ability to enjoy socializing and maintaining human relationships over time. Pets often fill that relational void as they offer unconditional love, acceptance, comfort, and companionship at a time when it’s needed most. Pet Peace of Mind, a groundbreaking national program, enables hospice patients to keep their pets at home throughout their end of life journey.

We Believe No One Should Have to Give Up a Pet Because They are Terminally Ill

This national program works through local hospice partners to provide pet food, veterinary care, and other pet care needs at no cost to patients. Pet Peace of Mind hospice volunteers are specially trained to provide in-home pet care assistance when the patient needs help caring for a pet.

Many hospices also assist with re-homing a patient’s pet, should the need arise. With this kind and compassionate support, patients are able to complete their end of life journeys without worrying about their pet’s current or future needs. 

What Care Can Pet Peace of Mind Provide?

Services can include:

  • Trained volunteers to help with basic in-home pet care, such as dog walking and litter box changing

  • Financial and shopping assistance for pet food and cat litter

  • Funding for routine care including vaccinations, to maintain pet health and decrease patient stress

  • Medication assistance with flea, tick, and heart-worm medications

MEET OUR HOSPICE VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR/PET PEACE OF MIND COORDINATOR

Lorraine Bishop
Lorraine BishopHospice Volunteer Coordinator/Pet Peace of Mind Coordinator

Hospice at HCS Volunteer Coordinator/Pet Peace of Mind Coordinator

Lorraine Bishop began working with Hospice in 1992 as Volunteer and Bereavement Coordinator in the Peterborough area. She then became Hospice Volunteer Coordinator for the entire HCS area in 2002. In 2013, at the suggestion of a hospice volunteer, she helped to develop the HCS role in Pet Peace of Mind, a national program to support the pets of hospice families.

Lorraine especially enjoys meeting, training, and working with the wonderful hospice volunteers who offer comfort and support to countless hospice patients and their families.

ABOUT HOSPICE AT HCS

Hospice focuses on living life to the fullest while experiencing a terminal illness. At Hospice at HCS, our goal is to help the patient and family members come to terms with death as a natural part of life. Hospice at HCS provides care throughout southwestern New Hampshire, wherever people call home, including long term care and assisted living facilities.

  • Medical Director Board Certified in Hospice/Palliative Care

  • Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner

  • Nurses certified in Hospice and Palliative Care

  • Medical social workers

  • Physical and occupational therapies

  • Home health aides

  • Volunteers

  • Spiritual care

  • Ongoing bereavement support

  • Massage Therapy

  • Music Practitioners

Make An Appointment

For more information about Pet Peace of Mind please contact Lorraine Bishop, Volunteer Coordinator Home Healthcare, Hospice & Community Services at
603-352-2253 or email lbishop@HCSservices.org