photo by: Mike Yoder

Margene Swarts, a volunteer with Visiting Nurses Association/Hospice, shakes hands with her dog Toto, and entertains Arbor Court residents Louise Brantley, center, and Teddy McGraw, right, recently. Swarts brings Toto to visit Arbor Court residents two times a month.

One of the most difficult and delicate stages in a person’s life is the end of it.

Starr Pugh learned this as she helped her mother-in-law walk through the end stages of multiple sclerosis. At the end of her life, Pugh’s mother-in-law urged Pugh to dedicate time to helping others who are battling an illness or facing death.

“She told me, ‘I hope that when I am gone, you will continue doing this. You’re a good caretaker, and I hope you will give yourself in the same way to others who aren’t your family,'” Pugh said.

Pugh decided to honor her mother-in-law’s wishes and volunteer with the Visiting Nurses Association, an organization that provides at-home health care and hospice services. Pugh uses her skill as hairdresser of 34 years to provide haircuts to hospice patients.

“People feel so much better when they get their hair done. When you’re in a situation when you’re not feeling your best, or you’re going through some physical or mental struggles, just to have a haircut makes you feel a bit better. It gives people a bit of dignity and lets them feel a positive touch,” Pugh said.

For VNA hospice volunteer Margene Swarts, knowing the bond that people share with dogs, coupled with her nurturing personality, motivates her to bring her four-legged friend, Toto, along with her on visits to retirement homes through the VNA. Once a week, Swarts and Toto bring an extra bit of happiness to the people they visit.

“Older people get a lot of solace out of dogs. I think if they don’t have one of their own, and they used to, that it just makes them happy,” she said.

Swarts loves watching how the residents light up when they see Toto’s wagging tail approaching them. “They all start smiling when they see him and can’t wait to pet him. He just makes people happy,” she said.

Pugh and Swarts know the importance of providing a sense of normality and positivity to people at such a stage in life. Likewise, serving VNA hospice patients also has a profound impact on the volunteers.

“I really believe that we are designed as individuals to serve others,” Pugh said. “If you can find what you’re called to do in life, I think then we are a lot more well-rounded and satisfied with what we’re doing every day. It gives you a little more motivation in your life.”

— Christie Cline is a communications intern with the United Way of Douglas County.