Blake learned that lesson even before becoming a hospice volunteer. When he was younger, he worked in a nursing home where he spent time talking with residents. The subjects did not need to be important or planned. What mattered was having someone there who was ready to listen.

鈥淭he people I talked to in the nursing home were eager to socialize about anything and everything,鈥� Blake said. 鈥淚 could tell that being able to talk to someone made a positive difference in their day.鈥�

Those early conversations stayed with him. Later, when Blake discovered an opportunity to volunteer with hospice patients while attending college, the decision felt natural.

Finding a Meaningful Way to Serve

Blake is a senior at the University of Toledo majoring in health science. He grew up in Paulding County, Ohio and returns there during the summer to work as a machinist.

Although his schedule keeps him busy, hospice volunteering gives him something different: the chance to slow down, be present and get to know people whose paths he may not have crossed otherwise.

鈥淰olunteering with patients has helped me build relationships and become friends with individuals that I wouldn鈥檛 normally interact with,鈥� he said.

For hospice patients, a volunteer visit may bring conversation, companionship and a welcome change in the day. For Blake, each visit is also an opportunity to learn from another person鈥檚 stories and experiences.

The Value of Being Present

Hospice volunteers offer support in many ways. Some may visit with patients, listen to favorite stories, share hobbies, read aloud or provide a calm presence. These moments can help patients feel seen and give family caregivers added reassurance that someone cares.

Blake has seen how much these simple moments can mean.

鈥淚 can see how much it improves someone鈥檚 day to have a friend and a listening ear that will be with them no matter what,鈥� he said.

His experience is a reminder that hospice care is about more than meeting physical needs. It is also about honoring each person, making space for their stories and helping them feel supported throughout their journey.

Become a Hospice Volunteer

Hospice volunteers can make a lasting impact by sharing their time and being present with patients and families. No special background is required. 色色视频 provides training and support to help volunteers find a role that matches their interests, strengths and availability.

Like Blake, you may discover that giving your time leads to meaningful friendships and moments you carry with you long after a visit ends.

Learn more about becoming an 色色视频 hospice volunteer and apply online to support patients and families in your community.

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Hi, I鈥檓 Alexis, and my therapy dog partner is Biscuit. Since May 2025, we鈥檝e had the privilege of volunteering with 色色视频, bringing comfort and companionship to patients, families and staff.

Biscuit鈥檚 journey began when I adopted him at just four months old. He is a double Merle Border Collie, a genetic combination that left him completely blind and partially deaf. Although many people saw his disabilities, I saw a dog full of potential. After discovering how therapy dogs were changing lives, I committed to training Biscuit myself while working full-time. Over the course of a year and a half, we trained at home before earning his AKC Canine Good Citizen certification, completing advanced evaluations through H.A.L.O. (Human Animal Link of Oklahoma) and officially becoming a certified therapy dog team.

Biscuit isn鈥檛 a service dog 鈥� his purpose is different. His job is to provide comfort, companionship and emotional support to people during some of life鈥檚 most difficult moments. We spend our weekends visiting nursing homes, memory care facilities, hospice patients, libraries and community events. Time and again, we hear people say, 鈥淚 miss my dog so much,鈥� and while they can鈥檛 always be reunited with their own pets, Biscuit happily fills that space with unconditional love.

One of the greatest joys of therapy work is watching patients who may struggle to remember names or dates instantly light up when Biscuit walks into the room. Whether someone calls him a dog, a 鈥渒itty cat鈥� or simply smiles as they pet him, none of that matters to Biscuit. He simply enjoys making people laugh, smile and feel loved. His visits don鈥檛 only benefit patients; they also provide comfort to family members, caregivers and healthcare staff.

Therapy work is equally rewarding for Biscuit. As an energetic Border Collie, the visits provide the mental stimulation he thrives on, and he eagerly puts on his therapy gear because he knows it鈥檚 time to 鈥済o to work.鈥� I鈥檝e always promised that if Biscuit ever stopped enjoying visits, we would stop. We are partners, and his happiness is just as important as the people we serve.

Being part of this journey has changed my life. Biscuit has taught me that disabilities do not define ability, and every visit reminds me how powerful kindness, connection and unconditional love can be. While Biscuit may never realize the countless lives he has touched, I have the privilege of witnessing those moments every day, and for that, I am endlessly grateful.

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Jake is one of those volunteers. Jake supports his local hospice team in multiple ways, both in the office and out in the community.

Jake assists with Tuck-In Calls, a proactive outreach that helps ensure patients have everything they need heading into the weekend. From confirming supplies to answering questions, these calls provide peace of mind for patients and families alike. Jake also steps in to help deliver supplies when needed, making sure patients remain comfortable and supported at home.

Jake also visits hospice patients in their home. Spending time with hospice patients may look simple on the surface, but it often carries deep meaning. Whether it鈥檚 sitting and talking, listening to stories or simply being present, Jake creates moments of connection that matter. Patients and care teams alike appreciate his consistency, kindness and calm presence.

At the heart of Jake鈥檚 volunteer work is a strong sense of purpose, something that guides how he shows up for others every day.

鈥淥ur family motto, and something we have tried to instill into our children is, 鈥楽ee a need, meet a need,鈥欌�� Jake shared. 鈥淚f I am truly living that out in my own life, then I must look at volunteering as an obligation.鈥�

For Jake, volunteering isn鈥檛 just something he does when he has extra time; it鈥檚 a responsibility rooted in gratitude.

鈥淕od has richly blessed me personally in so many ways that my cup currently runneth over. It is my responsibility to make sure that I can use that excess to pour into others,鈥� he said.

Hospice volunteers like Jake play an essential role in supporting patients at the end of life. They help reduce feelings of isolation, offer聽 companionship and provide an extra layer of comfort for both patients and families. In many cases, they become a steady, familiar presence during an uncertain time.

Jake鈥檚 story is a reminder that meaningful support doesn鈥檛 always come from grand gestures. Sometimes, it鈥檚 just about showing up.

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For the past several months, Eileen and Blair have been brightening patients鈥� days with regular visits, bringing comfort, connection and a sense of joy into each interaction. Blair, a brindle German Shepherd mix, completed specialized training for her role and has quickly become a familiar and beloved presence.

鈥淏lair is so easygoing, and she loves people,鈥� Eileen shared. 鈥淪he sits at their feet, allowing them to pet her, and she loves the attention.鈥�

Even with a full-time career in the medical field, Eileen dedicates her Saturdays to volunteering. Together, she and Blair join patients during group activities, whether it鈥檚 watching football, participating in light exercise classes or enjoying a favorite episode of The Price is Right.

Blair鈥檚 calm, gentle nature makes her a natural companion. She often rests her head near a patient鈥檚 knees, quietly inviting a soft pat or scratch behind her ears. In those quiet moments, something special happens 鈥� conversations start, smiles appear and connections form.

Eileen has seen firsthand the impact Blair has on those they visit.

鈥淲hen I walk in with Blair, they light up and want to see her,鈥� she said. 鈥淏lair greets each person as if she鈥檚 saying hello, then takes her time making the rounds. Once she鈥檚 finished, she lies down to rest.鈥�

For many patients, these visits become something to look forward to each week. To make those moments last a little longer, Eileen even created a special therapy card featuring Blair鈥檚 photo and fun facts, giving patients a small reminder of their time together.

The impact of their visits extends beyond patients alone. Staff and fellow volunteers also feel the warmth and positivity Blair brings into the room.

Eileen and Blair鈥檚 time together is a reflection of the compassion that defines hospice care. Through small gestures and shared moments, they are helping patients feel seen, supported and a little more at ease.

We鈥檙e so lucky to have Eileen and Blair on our team, making a difference for our patients and care teams with each visit.

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For Sai, a 26-year-old pre-med student finishing his prerequisites at the University of Toledo, volunteering in hospice care felt like a natural way to give back while learning from others.

Despite his busy schedule, Sai felt drawn to hospice volunteering for a simple but powerful reason.

鈥淚 saw it as a way to help and be there for patients and families at a pivotal moment in their lives,鈥� he shared.

In just a short time, that decision has already shaped his perspective in meaningful ways.

Sai has learned that sometimes the most important thing you can offer isn鈥檛 advice or action, but presence. Listening, he says, can have a profound impact.

鈥淚鈥檝e already learned a lot, from how important and impactful listening can be to how unique and full each of my patients鈥� lives has been.鈥�

Through conversations with hospice patients, Sai has experienced moments filled with humor, reflection and connection.

鈥淚鈥檝e thoroughly enjoyed my time with my patients, being there for all of their funny stories and different opinions, as well as experiencing moments with them that will stick with me for the rest of my life.鈥�

Volunteers help bring comfort, dignity and companionship into the home. They remind us that care is not only about clinical support, but also about human connection.

Sai also credits the team around him for making his experience so meaningful.

鈥淚鈥檓 very appreciative towards [Volunteer Coordinator] Kate and the team for giving me this opportunity to volunteer, and hopefully I can carry what I have learned into my future endeavors.鈥�

We鈥檙e grateful for volunteers like Sai who show up with compassion, curiosity and a willingness to simply be there.

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