San Luis Obispo

Mondays 5:30 – 9:00pm
January 23 and 30
February 6, 13, 20 & 27

Paso Robles (North County)
Thursdays 5:30 – 9:00pm
January 19 & 26
February 2,9,16 & 23

Pre-Registration is required.

All prospective participants will receive an Introductory
Letter outlining the course expectations and must complete this Introductory
Questionnaire and email it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Click here to download the Introductory Questionaire!

Introductory readings for new 2012 volunteers:

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

As pet lovers, we have all had the experience of our pet understanding when something was wrong, or sensing when we weren't feeling well. They comfort us, they ease our tension, they reduce our fear, they love us no matter what. We can only try imagine how much more significant this unique bond is for hospice patients. For many in hospice care, their physical condition leads to a decrease of previously enjoyed social opportunities and relationships. Pets offer unconditional love and acceptance, comfort and companionship when it's needed most - when friends and family aren't seen as frequently, or when words are too hard to say.

Unfortunately, many people in hospice care are also physically or financially unable to care for their pets. Simple tasks like feeding, walking, grooming, or a trip to the veterinarian are difficult, if not impossible. Pet Peace of Mind allows hospice patients to complete their end-of-life journey with the comfort and companionship of their pet, without worrying about their pet's current or future needs.

The Pet Peace of Mind training that was scheduled for Saturday, January 21st from 9 AM - 1 PM has been CANCELLED. Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with any further questions.

Hospice SLO is proud to provide this groundbreaking service to our community through a grant from the Banfield Charitable Trust, and our corporate sponsors and donors who believe in the significant and unique bond we have with our pets.

For more information on how you can benefit from Pet Peace of Mind, please contact Kris Kington-Barker or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call us at 805-544-2266.

For more information on how you can help support Hospice SLO's Pet Peace of Mind Program, click here, or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

To make a donation using PayPal, click on the button below:

PAYPAL TIPS:

Click on the PayPal "Donate" icon above. Once you reach the PayPal website, enter the amount to donate and click on "Update Totals". You do not need a PayPal account in order to donate via PayPal. In the lower left of the PayPal page, you will see: "Don't have a PayPal account? Use your credit card or bank account (where available)". Click "Continue" then enter your credit card information and complete the transaction.

To download a donation form in  Word format, click here.

Pet Peace of Mind made possible through Grants, Sponsorships, and Donations

Hospice staff and volunteers offer diverse educational presentations to community members and health professionals.

Hospice In-Home Volunteer Training is open to all interested persons and is offered twice annually. This inclusive 32-hour training covers communication skills, hospice history and philosophy, the patient and family as a unit of care, the grief process, symptom and pain management, relaxation techniques, cultural and spiritual issues, and all aspects of the role of the volunteer. The training is now offered in Spanish as well as English. Click here to view the 2012 In-home Volunteer Training Schedule! If interested, please contact Sonnie Brown @ 805-544-2266 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Pet Peace of Mind is our new pet support program. At Hospice SLO we have seen over and over the importance of the bond between humans and their animal companions. We are bringing to our community a program focused on allowing clients to complete their end of life journey without worrying about their pet's needs. We will need the community's support through donations, sponsorships, and participation. If you are interested in participating, please contact Kris Kington-Barker @ 805-544-2266 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Bereavement Training is offered usually in the spring each year to the community at large to help build a foundation of qualified individuals, professionals, and lay personnel to help identify and support others and themselves through the grief process.

A Year to Live What would you do, if you had one year to live? This year-long group, open to all interested in the community explores how to live each year as if it was your last. Based on Steven Levine’s book, A Year to Live, meets monthly for one year. This group is open to those who want to examine the life they are living, explore ways to enrich their life, and look closely at end of life issues. If interested, please contact Sonnie Brown@ 805-544-2266 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

In-Home volunteers offer respite care to relieve the primary care person. Volunteers also offer emotional and practical support, including:

• light housekeeping tasks
• meal preparation
• companionship
• errands
• transportation

Hospice volunteers provide a consistent supportive presence for the entire family. By utilizing a blend of professional and volunteer skills, the Hospice staff offers a comprehensive, integrated care program capable of giving specialized and sensitive volunteer support to clients and their families at no charge. This is made possible by:

• A small paid staff who train and facilitate the services of 50 to 70 consistently active in-home volunteers;
• Working in cooperation with home health agencies and many other existing community service programs and facilities; and
• The generous financial support of local individuals, organizations, and the business community.

Hospice In-Home Volunteer Training is open to all interested persons and is offered twice annually. This inclusive 24-hour training covers communication skills, hospice history and philosophy,family dynamics, the grief process, life review and reminiscence, relaxation techniques, cultural and spiritual issues, and all aspects of the role of the volunteer. Bilingual individuals encouraged to apply. If interested, please contact Sonnie Brown@ 805-544-2266 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Click here to view the 2012 In-Home Volunteer Schedule and information!

Hospice of San Luis Obispo County's Community Response Team provides timely counseling support, consultation, and education about grief and coping with loss, including sudden death. Community Crisis Response services are provided to businesses, schools, churches, government and community agencies at no charge. Trained staff and volunteer counselors work with children, adults, and consult with groups and agencies on the crisis approach that would work best for them. In 2010, the crisis team responded to many situations where they were invited in. Call 544-2266 or 226.5641 for more information.

Hospice of San Luis Obispo offers Support Groups that meet to provide emotional support and education about the grief and life threatening illnesses. Support Group meetings are offered according to the needs of the community. Meetings are offered without charge.

Please call (805) 544-2266 to confirm time and dates.

Pre-registration is not required for the following groups:

Pet Loss Support- Mondays, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Hospice of SLO County office 1304 Pacific St., SLO

General Grief - Tuesdays, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
SAFE/ County Offices, 1086 Grand Ave. Network Room, A.G.

General Grief - Tuesdays, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Hospice of SLO County Office, 1304 Pacific St., SLO

Spouse/Partner Loss Support - Thursdays, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Hospice of SLO County Office, 1304 Pacific St., SLO

Spouse/Partner Loss Support - Thursdays, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
New Life Church, 990 James Way, Pismo Beach

Pre-registration is required for the following groups:

Spouse/Partner Loss Support - Tuesdays, 11:00 am - 12:30 am
Hospice of SLO County Office, 1345 Oak St., Paso Robles

Spouse/Partner Loss Support - Tuesdays, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Hospice of SLO County Office, 1345 Oak St., Paso Robles

Bereaved Parents Support - Wednesdays, 10:00 am- 11:30 am
Hospice of SLO County Office, 1304 Pacific St., SLO (starting 1/18/12)

Suicide Bereavement Support (for those left behind) -
Wednesdays, 5:30pm - 7:00 pm Hospice of SLO County Office, 1304 Pacific St., SLO

Wellness Group for People with a Potential Life-threatening Illness
Thursdays, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm, Hospice of SLO County Office, 1304 Pacific St., SLO

General Grief - Thursdays, 6:00 pm- 7:30 pm
Hospice of SLO County Office, 1345 Oak St.,Paso Robles

Articles for Coping with Loss

Hospice Counseling Services are provided by trained staff and volunteer counselors. Supportive grief counseling after a death, and counseling to support individuals with life threatening illnesses and their families and friends, is available to anyone in our community at no charge for up to 10 sessions. Counseling sessions typically provide clients with both emotional support, information, and an opportunity to explore how they can more effectively negotiate these challenges.

All our client services are without charge and most are offered in Spanish as well as English.

Counseling services include: adult, child, and family counseling.

If you need help coping with a loss, caring for a seriously ill loved one, or dealing with your own mortality, please call us at 805.544.2266 or 805.226.5641. We're here to help.