Complementary Therapies
Horticulture Therapy
Until recently, the joyful experience of getting ones hands in the earth to foster the growth of a living thing was only a faded memory for some HospiceCare patients. Gardening was a blissful pastime for many and evoked memories of happier and healthier days. Now, HospiceCare patients can relive that experience and have gardening brought to their bedside or chair-side! A recently launched program by a group of HospiceCare Horticulture volunteers offers the opportunity to patients to learn more about plants, grow plants or just to have them nearby to enjoy their beauty.
Share the love of your pet and your pet’s love with others through HosPoochCare/HosPussCare... a pet partners program of Florida Hospital HospiceCare
The purpose of our pet therapy program is to provide an opportunity to improve the social and or emotional health of HospiceCare patients by interacting with a pet.
The benefits to a patient and their family are reduced isolation, a welcome change of routine, entertainment, distraction from pain, boredom, etc., opportunity for life review, social stimulation, and more. Clinical documentation supports the animal-human bond that confirms the reduction of blood pressure, reduction of depression as well as systemic changes of stress hormones.
Volunteers and pets are registered through the nationally recognized Delta Society and Intermountain Therapy Animals. All training, registration and associated fees are the responsibility of HospiceCare. There is no cost to the volunteer. Volunteers and pets visit HospiceCare patients in a variety of settings: nursing homes, in-patient units located at Florida Hospital Oceanside and Stuart F. Meyer Hospice House- Florida Hospital Flagler.
Consider this opportunity for you and your pet if:
- you and your pet are both calm and friendly
- your pet take unusual events, sights, and sounds in stride
- your pet is even tempered and not prone to distractions
- your pet has good “social skills”
Interested in learning more? Please contact Barbara Cady, Florida Hospital HospiceCare at 386-671-4761 or 800-404-1133