Pet Therapy Hospice Volunteer

Patient Support with a pet companion volunteers are part of the interdisciplinary team and provide support in various settings including the home, in-patient units, and skilled nursing facilities

Helping to care for our patients and families is a critical role played by our volunteers. These positions are some of the most challenging and rewarding volunteer opportunities at Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care. Volunteers in Patient Care and Family Support provide in-home services to patients currently being served by Rainbow Hospice.

Responsibilities may include:

• Assists the patient/family by providing friendly visits with a certified pet.
• Offers emotional support, companionship and supportive listening to patient/family, or essential services i.e. errands, shopping, light housekeeping, etc.
• Serves as an integral member of the Hospice interdisciplinary team.
• Assist team and provides input to the plan of care as appropriate.
• Documents volunteer time and patient visit activity in an accurate, timely and objective manner.
• Maintains open communication, reporting regularly to the volunteer coordinator.
• Participates in bereavement follow-up with families, as appropriate.
• Maintains confidentiality at all times.
• Adheres to Rainbow Hospice policies and procedures.
• Completes the mandatory annual education.
• Meets all health requirements set by Rainbow Hospice.
• Participates in volunteer support and educational in-services.
• Assists in training of new volunteers as appropriate.

Skills & Requirements


Day(s) Needed: Weekdays, Evenings or Weekends


Time(s) Needed: Preferably in 3-4 hour time blocks, flexible schedules based on volunteer availability


Because of the direct patient and family interaction, all of these positions require Patient Care and Family Support volunteers to go through specialized Patient Care Training. This process teaches you about hospice and terminal illness and helps prepare volunteers to interact with and support our patients and families.

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Successful adjustment to personal losses and no personal loss within past 12 months.
• Successful completion of volunteer training program.
• Clearance from appropriate health screenings and background check.
• Agree to mandatory policy statements.
• Minimum commitment of 1 year of service; at least 3-4 hours per week.
• Supportive of hospice concept, and willing to serve others in a volunteer capacity.
• Comfortable working with families with different cultural and religious values.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Independent means of transportation.
• Previous volunteer experience preferred.
• Pet owner with successful completion of pet therapy certificate accepted from a nationally recognized organization such as or
• Proof of pet liability insurance (added to a homeowners policy and is very inexpensive).
• Veterinary vaccination records.

Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care

Rainbow Hospice is a nonprofit organization serving terminally ill patients and their families in Chicago and surrounding counties. Rainbow Hospice enables people to live with dignity and hope while coping with loss and the end of life. Rainbow Hospice offers extensive bereavement services, including the Good Mourning program for bereaved children, teens and their families as well as a Community Speakers Bureau, the Rainbow Hospice LIFE Institute for Learning and the award winning Rainbow Hospice Ark, an Inpatient Unit.