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| Volunteer John Pitts of Ansonia |
According to the
Corporation for National & Community Service, recent research shows
that individuals who volunteer in their community experience physical
and mental health benefits through receiving a greater sense
of purpose and accomplishment.
Ansonia resident John Pitts understands the joys of volunteering.
For the past eight years,
Pitts has baked fresh muffins in the morning for patients and their
caregivers. He never envisioned himself as a baker, but Pitts said he
loves the role.
“This is great job. I get to put a smile on people’s faces,” Pitts said. “I’m a bit of an underdog when I go in to see the patients because no one really wants to be in the hospital, but having that aroma of fresh baked muffins and giving something warm to eat makes people feel comfortable and you get a great feeling when you see smiles come across their faces.”
As a hospital committed to the Planetree patient-centered model of care, Griffin Hospital offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities that allow individuals to use their skills in providing a more comfortable and therefore better healing environment for its patients.
Planetree is an innovative
model of healthcare that puts patients’ needs first. Planetree
designated hospitals shape every aspect of their care by the Planetree
principles, including welcoming and comfortable interiors
and service, and an emphasis on patient and family involvement.
Volunteers play a critical
role in providing this exceptional care at Griffin Hospital.
Starting with a patient’s first step in the door at the hospital, Volunteer Ambassadors escort the patient to his or her appointment. These ambassadors also assist visitors and caregivers find their loved one’s location in the hospital.
Starting with a patient’s first step in the door at the hospital, Volunteer Ambassadors escort the patient to his or her appointment. These ambassadors also assist visitors and caregivers find their loved one’s location in the hospital.
Room Service Volunteers
visit patients to tell them about all the Planetree amenities, including
complementary soft touch massage, therapeutic touch or Reiki
treatments, therapy dog visits, guided imagery meditation,
aroma therapy, portable DVD players or a fresh-baked cookie or muffin.
In addition, to being the messengers about these services, Griffin
Hospital offers opportunities to become the volunteer provider of these
services, providing training in each of the therapies
and baking.
Volunteer therapy dogs and
their owners are also needed. People and Animals Working in Spirit
(P.A.W.S.) bring smiles to the faces of patients as only the
human-canine connection can.
Each dog must pass a rigorous behavior and medical screening prior to entry to the program. All breeds of dogs who qualify for testing for therapy dog work are welcome.
Each dog must pass a rigorous behavior and medical screening prior to entry to the program. All breeds of dogs who qualify for testing for therapy dog work are welcome.
Every Griffin Hospital volunteer is required to attend a three-hour orientation, followed by a training session for their particular assignment. After four hours of service, volunteers are entitled to a free meal ticket at the hospital’s Dining Room.
This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.
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