Amie’s Place Foundation, dedicated to preventing unnecessary forced separation of people from their pets simply because no one is there to help them, has awarded not-for-profit Hospice Savannah, Inc.’s Pet Peace of Mind® Program a one-year 2014 grant of $2,000 as partial support for program expenses which are not all covered by current donations.  The mission of the Foundation almost perfectly mirrors the work of Hospice Savannah’s Pet Peace of Mind® program begun three years ago with a start-up grant from the Banfield Charitable Trust to help keep terminally ill people and their pets together during the end of life and when needed, to assist in finding forever homes for pets after patients’ death.

Medical evidence supports the positive impact of pets on emotional, physical and spiritual well being, and the love and companionship of pets for our hospice patients seem especially important.  Many patients would be unable to physically or financially care for their pets without the help of our Pet Peace of Mind® program and its dedicated volunteers.  Volunteers help provide pet food, litter, walking, routine and emergency veterinary care, grooming, transportation to appointments and sometimes to nursing facilities to visit owners, as well as temporary boarding for day care when owners come to our inpatient Hospice House for respite care. Volunteers also assist in finding short term foster care when needed and "forever homes" if a family cannot keep the pet after the patient's death. Our Pet Peace of Mind® program allows hospice patients and their pets to remain together without the stress and anxiety of wondering if and how their pet will receive continued care.  

Hospice Savannah has a long tradition of serving all those who need our help without regard to ability to pay, and our Pet Peace of Mind® program is offered to all patients who need it at no cost. In addition to being unable physically to care for their pets due to advanced medical conditions, many of our patients also can no longer afford essential pet care expenses. Through the generosity of local veterinarians and other donors, Hospice Savannah, is sometimes able to access pet food and supplies, veterinary care, and grooming at reduced cost. Individual donations and calendar fundraising sales help to offset remaining expenses and most out-of-pocket costs.  This grant from Amie’s Place 

Foundation will help Hospice Savannah ensure its patients will experience improved emotional and physical well being as a result of the loving presence of their pet companions and special relationship they share.

More information on Hospice Savannah’s Pet Peace of Mind® program may be found at www.HospiceSavannah.org/PetPeaceofMind