Pet dogs helping pet shelters as part of holiday program
A team of pet therapy dogs at Nathan Adelson Hospice, their owners and the Bonnie Schreck Memorial Complementary Therapies Program are collecting donations for Las Vegas animal shelters for the holiday season.
The hospice's four locations will accept donations of blankets, towels and gently used, washable dog beds through Jan. 31. Donations will benefit the Lied Animal Shelter, the Dewey Animal Shelter and Noah's Ark Shade Tree Animal Shelter.
"What better way for our pets to show love than to give the gift of warmth to their cold, scared friends during the holiday season?" Lisa Browder, Complementary Therapies manager for Nathan Adelson Hospice, said in a statement. "With the growing number of animals entering shelters, our pets and all those involved with Nathan Adelson Hospice are taking steps to ensure they remain warm and have comfort this cold season."
The Bonnie Schreck Memorial Complementary Therapies Program at the hospice was created in 1999 to provide a greater range of 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 environment.
The Pet Therapy Program has shown that spending time with an animal can lift depression and lower blood pressure and respiratory rates.
Nathan Adelson Hospice locations: 4141 Swenson St., Las Vegas; 3391 N. Buffalo Road, Las Vegas; 1201 Nevada State Drive, Henderson; 1401 S. Highway 160, Suite B, Pahrump.
