The hospice patient lived alone with her Pomeranian, Teddy. Teddy was her everything and she adored and doted on him like her own child. The Pet Peace of Mind team at Cornerstone VNA sent a volunteer once a week to take him on walks, drive him to his vet appointments, and visit with the patient. When Teddy injured his leg, the volunteer took the initiative to set up a veterinary appointment and transported him for care.
As the patient declined, the team decided it was best to talk to her about what would happen to Teddy when she was gone. She assumed someone would just take him because everyone loved him. After a conversation of sharing stories and history about Teddy and what she hoped for in a new home for him, she gave consent that her niece could make decisions for Teddy if she was unable. She stated that she felt so good knowing he would be taken care of and that she knew the Pet Peace of Mind team would find him the perfect home when the time came.
A few months later, her health declined and she moved into an assisted living facility. A staff member volunteered to foster Teddy with the idea that he might be a good fit for his family. He brought Teddy to the facility several times including a few days before the patient passed away. She was so happy when he visited but was even happier that Teddy was integrating into a new family that would care for and spoil him. On their last visit together, she repeated over and over what a great day it was and that she was not scared anymore.
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