ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Imagine finding out your life is coming to an end and worrying about what will happen to your pet after you are gone. A Rockford hospice nurse went above and beyond the call of duty to adopt a pet dog so a patient could die peacefully.
“There was a time when I felt like I needed to make sure this dog was taken care of. There was just something about him,” said Erica Hebel, a nurse at Northern Illinois Hospice.
Hebel is now the owner of Little Copper, a small, older Pomeranian she adopted after caring for an elderly man who was in hospice care.
Copper stayed by his owner's side during the men's health crisis and now spends his days playing with Hebel's chickens and ducks.
This adoption was made possible by Hospice of Northern Illinois. Peace of mind for pets program.
Sheila O'Leary, the program's volunteer co-ordinator, said: “We recognize that sometimes resources are scarce and caring for your pet is more important than anything else, so this program “We help take them to the groomer, provide supplies and help clean up.” ”
The Pet Peace of Mind program works with local organizations to find new homes for animals.
“It's very rewarding,” said volunteer Libby Knopp. She said, “It's my passion to be able to provide these people with the peace of mind that their animals will be taken care of. It's a privilege of this job to be able to do what I can for my patients.”
