On Friday September 16, 2022, nearly 100 friends and supporters of Blue Ridge Hospice gathered at Muse Vineyards in Woodstock, VA, for the Paws & Purrs Launch Event and Fundraiser.
Guests brought their pets (this is Loki) and enjoyed a complimentary drink provided by Muse Vineyards. Photo by Sharon Fisher for Blue Ridge Hospice, 2022.
Free Pet Services for Hospice Patients
Paws & Purrs is Blue Ridge Hospice’s new comprehensive pet program for patients and families. Patients experience stress and anxiety when they worry about what will happen to their animal companions. “Sometimes a patient might even worry more about their pet than themselves,” says Tonia Sweeney, Director of Volunteer Services at Blue Ridge Hospice and manager of the Paws & Purrs program. “We see a significant reduction in patients’ stress and anxiety when they know their pets are taken care of. We want to do what’s best for the patient and the animal.”
Our number one goal in hospice is improving a patient’s quality of life in the time they have left. We aim to ease discomfort and pain, and to help a patient process what’s happening. Stress and anxiety aren’t uncommon, but often they can be alleviated. Stepping in to care for a patient’s pet is just another way that we can do that and help a patient be more at ease during their end-of-life journey.
Through the Paws & Purrs program, we provide free pet services including feeding the cats, walking the dogs, taking pets to the vet or groomer, and helping to find placement for any pets that have nowhere to go after a patient passes. “It’s not just cats and dogs—it’s horses, cows, chickens, and even llamas,” says Tonia, “whatever the animal is, we’ll sort out a way to help! Our volunteers have mucked stalls, fed chickens, and brushed goats.”
As Director of Volunteer Services, Tonia Sweeney coordinates our team of volunteers who generously donate their time to Blue Ride Hospice. She also manages the Paws & Purrs Program. Photo by Sharon Fisher for Blue Ridge Hospice, 2022.
A Program Made Possible by Donors and Volunteers
The Paws & Purrs program is entirely volunteer-operated. This means we only have a way to pay for the pet services we provide to patients if funds are donated to us for this program. “Not a day goes by that I am not blown away by the generosity and compassionate work our volunteers do for our patients and families—it’s really something special,” says Tonia. “Our volunteers are ready to help, but without funds we are limited in what we can do to truly make a difference for our patients and their pets.”
Tonia and her team began providing pet services at the beginning of 2022, but they wanted to mark the occasion and officially launch the Paws & Purrs program with a festive event for partners and community members who are passionate about supporting their efforts. Robert Muse and Sally Cowel, owners of Muse Vineyards, an estate vineyard and winery in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, graciously offered Tonia to host the Paws & Purrs Launch Event at Muse Vineyards. Local businesses and fellow animal-loving friends of Blue Ridge Hospice signed up to sponsor the event, or donated items and gift baskets for the raffle. Community members purchased tickets to come to the event and become Founding Pack Members. Guests got a professional portrait taken of them and their pet by Front Royal-based photographer Sharon Fisher, enjoyed delicious wine and great food provided by Muse Vineyards, lively jazz music provided by Meisha Herron, and the company of many four-footed friends—big and small.
Photo by Sharon Fisher for Blue Ridge Hospice, 2022.
Together, we raised more than $12,000 for the Paws & Purrs Program.
We want to thank our sponsors The Uniform Store, NextHome Realty Select, Warren County Veterinary Clinic, “Just Like Home” Kennels, Dave & Tonia Sweeney, Kelly Sager & Nick Racey, F&M Bank, Harry & Barbara Byrd, The Clarke County Humane Foundation, and the Shenandoah Group.
Special thanks go out to Sharon Fisher and Frank Ritter, Hammered & Handstamped, Bone Broth, Bark Box, Fly Home Birdhouses, and HeatherAnn Crafts.
