Thursday June 25, 2015

10 am Pacific/1 pm Eastern

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Join Dr. Karen Wyatt and her special guests Magnum Facility Dog and his human partner Carol Mestemacher for this conversation about the benefits of pet therapy for hospice patients. Magnum and Carol will share their adventures providing comfort and support to patients at an inpatient hospice facility.

In this interview you will learn:

• How hospice patients can be helped by the presence of animals during the end-of-life
• What kind of training is required for a dog to become a therapy dog
• How to start a pet therapy program at your hospice or nursing home

Magnum is a 6-year old Labradoodle who received his Therapy Dog and Facility Dog Certifications from CHAMP Assistance Dogs, Inc. in 2011. He is currently employed by Hospice of Southern Illinois. Magnum is an internet celebrity who has his own blog and Facebook page with nearly 600 followers!

Carol Mestemacher has been a volunteer for Hospice of Southern Illinois for the last 17 years. Over the past 5 years she has been responsible for the Pet Therapy program at Hospice of Southern Illinois’ Community Hospice Home, Relais Bonne Eau, (“ree lay bone oh” located in Edwardsville, IL. She is the partner to Magnum, the Facility Dog for the Hospice Home. Their job is to bring joy and comfort to hospice patients, families and staff. They strive to help people understand that hospice is about LIVING!

Magnum and Carol are a certified Facility Dog Team and Therapy Dog Team with CHAMP Assistance Dogs located in St. Louis, MO. They visit patients on a daily basis at the Hospice Home. They also visit patients at healthcare facilities and private homes. In addition to these visits, Carol and Magnum speak locally about “The Power of Pet Therapy” and attend events to promote Hospice of Southern Illinois, a community based not for profit hospice. Carol has been on the Board of Hospice of Southern Illinois since 2010 and currently serves as Board President.

Carol and Magnum have many duties outside of their role at Hospice of Southern Illinois. Magnum is an Ambassador with the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce. Their newest adventure will be to “Serve those who Serve.” They will be working at Lambert International Airport USO to serve the troops who travel through St. Louis, MO. Magnum is also quite media savvy and spends time on his own Facebook page, Blog and YouTube channel!

Originally from Chicago, IL, Carol and her husband, Mark, have resided in Edwardsville, IL since 1993. They have two adult children and one grandchild. Daughter Amanda (30) is a stay-at-home Mom and lives in Lawton, OK with husband Justin, and daughter, Renna (1 ½;). Son Adam (27) works on a NASCAR Team and lives in Lexington, North Carolina.

Carol finds great joy in “showing love” to people and speaking about the subjects she is most passionate about: Hospice and Pet Therapy!

Website: http://www.magnumfacilitydog.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magnumfacilitydog