An animatronic cat is presented to an elderly man.

January 15th, 2021

Hope Hospice Animatronic Pet Program for Dementia Care

Hope Hospice is using animatronic pets to help lessen the impact that pandemic-related isolation has had on its patients. Joy for All Companion Pets™ by Ageless Innovation are robotic dog and cat toys designed specifically to comfort older adults in need of companionship; early studies specifically charted the benefits for people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of cognitive decline. The pets are battery powered and, when stroked, become alert and make lifelike noises and small movements. With a generous donation from NorCal Minis car club, Hope Hospice was able to purchase 20 Joy For All Companion Pet cats […]

Remembering Doris Felton

Hope Hospice lost one of our own last month. Part of our founding team, Doris served as our first manager of bereavement services and defined the framework of our renowned youth grief support program. Following is her obituary, courtesy of the family. Doris Ann Felton Dec. 29, 1932 – May 26, 2020 Pleasanton Doris Ann Felton, age 87, passed away peacefully in Pleasanton on May 26, 2020. Doris was born on December 29, 1932, in McIntosh, South Dakota. She grew up on a cattle ranch outside of McIntosh before going to high school in Bismarck, North Dakota where she met […]

Hope & the Hot-Air Balloon

Reflections of Hope: Remembering Our First 40 Years Hope’s official logo has evolved over time, and early versions are a far cry from today’s dove motif. Some digging revealed the story behind one with a hot-air balloon illustration that worked its way into our design in 1983. One of our patients at the time, a “bright, feisty widow,” according to our archives, had helped her husband manage two successful businesses. As a world traveler who believed in the benefits of risk taking, she had run river rapids at age 76 and had few unfulfilled wishes, except the desire to take […]

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Hope’s Story

Hope Hospice Animatronic Pet Program for Dementia Care

Remembering Doris Felton

Hope & the Hot-Air Balloon