Volunteer Opportunities

"What a gift the patients and their families give me by allowing me to be of service to them. I love listening to the stories the patients share. I believe I do make a difference in their lives."

- Willamette Valley Hospice Patient Volunteer

 
   
 
Our Mission

The mission of
Willamette Valley Hospice is to enhance the quality of life for terminally ill persons and their families, to provide bereavement support for the caregivers and families of our patients and members of the community, and to educate the community about end of life philosophy and programs.
  

 

Pauline - a well traveled life

Pauline is part of our Celebration of Life photo exhibit.  Click her photo to read her story and visit our Special Events page to find out where you can see Pauline and our exhibit next.

 
 

                                                                                                    

Become a Volunteer!

Volunteers are the heart and essence of our programs. Offering their generous gift of time, volunteers provide respite care and emotional support to persons at the end-of-life and their caregivers.

     We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities for everyone:

  • Respite care - A break from caregiving services                                               
  • Visitations in facilities
  • Adult, children and family bereavement support
  • Special events
  • Clerical and outreach support
  • Speaker's bureau educates communities about hospice care benefits
  • Camp Mighty Oaks summer camp
  • Life review
  • Pet therapy
  • Spanish translation committee (virtual)

Stan and Kathy - Pet Therapy Volunteers

Willamette Valley Hospice Pet Therapy Dog Provides Comfort

Dogs have an amazing ability to comfort us and make us smile. In a hospice situation, the true value of the Therapy Dog and her/his volunteer handler comes with that special companionship that may help reduce a patient’s anxiety and pain.  According to Therapy Dogs International, just holding or petting an animal will cause a lowering of blood pressure, the release of strain and tension, and can draw out a person from loneliness and depression.  Other benefits of a visit from a therapy dog include a reduction in isolation and boredom; a feeling of comfort, support and joy; a reduction in feelings of anxiety; and improved socialization and communication.  

"I really wondered if I could do this type of volunteering - interacting with terminally ill patients.  I made the right choice to do this special type of volunteering and I see the quality of life, which is better in final days and weeks.  Whatever I can do to make these days better for the caregivers and patients is important for me and for them."                     

                                -Willamette Valley Hospice Patient Volunteer  

 

Click here to see our brochure on Volunteering
 
©2006 Willamette Valley Hospice - Web design by NwNetcom