For the past six years, specially trained four-legged friends have been bringing joy to clients of Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan through the organization’s pet therapy program.

Shelly Parkhurst, marketing specialist for Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, said the pets help calm and soothe those who are anxious or lonely.

“They help people feel needed and wanted, encourage social interaction, increase self-esteem, and improve motor skills. And it’s just downright fun to be with them,” she said.

Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan is currently looking for volunteers to help with the pet

therapy program.

Volunteers must go through an extensive training process and their pets must receive certification in order to be an official pet therapy animal.

“It’s not for everyone, but those that do it love it,” Parkhurst said.

Pet therapy volunteers and their animals visit the homes of hospice patients for as long as the patients are in the program. They might visit nursing homes or client homes throughout Southwest Michigan, including in Berrien and Cass counties.

“The simple sight of a dog and feel of its fur can bring peace and joy to our hospice clients and adult day guests throughout the year,” Parkhurst said. “Our therapy dogs are trained and certified, but it is the healing gift of themselves and the generosity of their owners that makes our program so popular.”

The next general volunteer training application deadline is May 1.

Interested parties can go online to hospiceswmi.org/opportunities.php or call (269) 345-0273 and ask for Cindy Buckley or Maria Swiftfoot. People can also send an email to volunteer.mail@hospiceswmi.org.

Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan is also selling calendars featuring its pet therapy volunteers. To purchase one for $5, contact Parkhurst at (269) 345-0273.

Thirteen different dogs are featured in the calendar.

Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan is also collecting registrations for its golf outing June 19. For more information, visit the website golf4hospice.com.