Bringing Peace of Mind to Our Patients and Their Pets

For many people, a pet is far more than an animal. A dog waits faithfully by the door. A cat curled quietly
on the bed. These companions offer comfort without words and loyalty without condition. For hospice
patients, that bond can be powerful – yet a source of worry as illness makes everyday tasks more difficult.

At Columbus Hospice of Georgia & Alabama, the Pet Peace of Mind® program exists to ease that worry
and protect one of life’s most meaningful relationships: the bond between patients and their pets. We
began the program in 2009 with a small grant. The program has now cared for 300+ of our patients' pets since its inception. We were honored to be featured in Emmy Award-winning PBS’s Shelter Me series, which spotlighted the program’s impact.

As health declines, even the most devoted pet owners may struggle to manage routine care such as buying food, arranging veterinary visits, or walking a dog. For some patients, concern about their pet’s future can cause distress that affects their own sense of peace. The Pet Peace of Mind program was created to ensure that no patient must choose between receiving hospice care and staying with the animal they love.

Through the program, patients receive support for essential pet needs, including food, cat litter, grooming,
vaccinations, flea and heartworm prevention, and transportation to veterinary or grooming appointments.
When possible, trained volunteers assist with deliveries, errands, and basic pet care, offering both
practical and deeply compassionate help.

But the actual impact of Pet Peace of Mind goes beyond supplies and services. It offers reassurance.
Patients rest easier knowing their pets are safe, cared for, and able to remain at home with them.
Caregivers, already balancing emotional and physical demands, experience relief knowing one more
responsibility is being handled with care.

Columbus Hospice volunteers are the heart of the program. Volunteers bring kindness, dependability, and
a love for animals. Many describe the experience as profoundly meaningful—an opportunity to serve at a
moment when small acts of help make an enormous difference.

Hospice care is about honoring what matters most to everyone. For many patients, that includes the gentle presence of a pet who has shared years of companionship. By preserving that connection, Pet Peace of Mind reflects the holistic mission of Columbus Hospice: to provide comfort, dignity, and support for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. At a time when so much feels out of a patient’s control, their pet often represents normalcy, comfort, and unconditional love.

At the end of life, peace can come in many ways. Sometimes, it arrives on four paws, offering quiet
comfort and unwavering love. Through Pet Peace of Mind, Columbus Hospice ensures that patients never
face this journey alone—and that the love between people and their pets is honored until the very end.

If you are interested in becoming a Columbus Hospice volunteer, visit www.columbushospice.com.