faq

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hospice care?

Animal hospice is a philosophy of care that utilizes a multi-dimensional approach to support the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of an animal and its human family throughout the last phases of a life-limiting illness or disease process. Hospice care focuses on enhancing the highest quality of living while dying and provides bereavement support for those grieving the loss of an animal companion.

Is this a place where I can bring my pet?

Not at this time; we hope to be able to offer respite care in the future as the organization grows and volunteers are trained to help support this need. We are not a rescue or an animal sanctuary although we continue to learn from both types of agencies and may have some collaboration or partnership at a later date.

So what do you actually do?

Currently, we offer emotional and spiritual support through our weekly support group meeting and some limited ability for one to one consultations. In the meanwhile, we continue to learn and grow a hospice program with various stages of outreach that will become available as resources, personnel, and training are procured sufficient for each planned stage of development.

Why is it called “synergy”?

“Synergy” comes from a Greek word meaning “to work together” and refers to the greater outcome produced when separate parties work in a cooperative and collaborative fashion towards a higher goal than either could achieve on their own. Teamwork amongst those with various skills and abilities, including the family, has always been one of the main tenets of hospice care. This sense of collaboration is what began Synergy Animal Hospice and will continue to develop it into a comprehensive service to our animal families in Central Oregon.