(Las Vegas) – 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. 

About Nathan Adelson Hospice

Nathan Adelson Hospice, the trusted partner in providing hospice care and palliative medicine for more than 35 years, is the largest non-profit hospice in Southern Nevada, caring for an average of 400 hospice and palliative patients daily. In 1978, Nathan Adelson Hospice began providing home care hospice service in Southern Nevada with the mission to offer patients and their loved ones with comprehensive end-of-life care and influence better care for all in the community.  In 1983, Nathan Adelson Hospice opened an in-patient hospice in Las Vegas, and today the hospice is recognized as a national model for superior hospice care.

The mission of the hospice is to be the Hospice of Choice, the Employer of Preference and a Training Center of Excellence.  Its vision is simple: no one should end the journey of life alone, afraid or in pain. The hospice also is home to The Center for Compassionate Care, a non-profit counseling agency providing individual, group and family counseling services to address grief, loss and issues related to surviving life-threatening illnesses. For more information, visit www.nah.org.