Nathan Adelson Hospice’s Pet Therapy Program today announced its 5th Annual Dog Bed & Blanket Drive in support of animals at local shelters. The Pet Therapy Program, which comprises 14 trained therapy dogs, continues to help keep animals warm this season as the colder weather permeates the Las Vegas valley.
From Jan. 4 through Feb. 28, 2016, all Nathan Adelson locations will serve as a drop-off point for new or gently used items including: dog beds; blankets; towels; wash cloths; linens; and unopened pet food. The addresses are: 4141 Swenson St., Las Vegas; in the MountainView Medical Office Building, 3150 N. Tenaya Way (near Cheyenne), Suite 350, Las Vegas; 2270 E. Commercial Rd., Suite A/B in Pahrump; and 1201 Nevada State Drive in Henderson.
According to Lisa Browder, manager of the Complementary Therapies Program for Nathan Adelson Hospice, more than 5,258 items were donated to local shelters over the last four winter seasons thanks to the generous collections received by community members.
“Since the majority of the pets in our Pet Therapy program are shelter animals, we love to support homeless animals and the shelters that take care of them, especially as the weather turns chilly,” Browder said. “We always strive to help the animals living in shelters.”
The Pet Therapy Program is under the Bonnie Schreck Memorial Complementary Therapies Program, which was created in 1999 as a means by which the hospice could provide a greater range of valuable therapies to patients. Patients and loved ones are able to request various therapies and techniques, such as pet therapy, reiki, reflexology, massage, and aromatherapy, to help ease discomfort by providing a calming and soothing environment. The goal is to provide the most effective, innovative and compassionate care possible. The Pet Therapy Program’s innovative strategy is designed to help improve the quality of life for hospice patients and has been one of the most successful therapies implemented thus far. It has been shown that spending time with a friendly animal can lift depression, lower blood pressure and respiratory rates, and bring comfort.
For more information, visit www.nah.org.
