Volunteer Spotlight: Faye Chiogioji
Posted on June 28, 2021
Volunteer Spotlight
Faye Chiogioji
Islands Hospice
Before the pandemic, you could catch Islands Hospice volunteer Faye Chiogioji with her dog, Koa, at Islands Hospice two to three times a week.
Before the pandemic, you could catch Islands Hospice volunteer Faye Chiogioji with her dog, Koa, at Islands Hospice two to three times a week. Koa is designated as an advanced therapy dog through the American Kennel Club. He is a 15-pound mixed breed small dog and has been bringing comfort to patients and families for four years – logging more than 150 visits.
To prepare for a patient visit, Koa gets groomed to look clean and sharp. Then, he and Faye check-in at the facility to receive any special instructions for the day. During group visits, he will sit near patients and let them pet him for five to ten minutes and will sometimes stay longer during individual sessions. Clients also enjoy chatting with Koa and Faye and sometimes request Koa to demonstrate tricks. They usually spend up to two hours at the facility, bringing joy and support to those around them.
Faye feels inspired to bring comfort to others through animal-assisted therapy. Her favorite moments from volunteering at Islands Hospice are when the patients feel relaxed with Koa and they start recalling stories about their own pets.
Faye is a retired human resources manager. When she is not visiting Islands Hospice patients, she is volunteering at Rehab Hospital of the Pacific, Canine TheraPets of Hawaii, or YWCA’s Dress for Success program. She is also a job coach and enjoys traveling.
We are grateful to receive Faye and Koa’s kindness and company.
To prepare for a patient visit, Koa gets groomed to look clean and sharp. Then, he and Faye check-in at the facility to receive any special instructions for the day. During group visits, he will sit near patients and let them pet him for five to ten minutes and will sometimes stay longer during individual sessions. Clients also enjoy chatting with Koa and Faye and sometimes request Koa to demonstrate tricks. They usually spend up to two hours at the facility, bringing joy and support to those around them.
Faye feels inspired to bring comfort to others through animal-assisted therapy. Her favorite moments from volunteering at Islands Hospice are when the patients feel relaxed with Koa and they start recalling stories about their own pets.
Faye is a retired human resources manager. When she is not visiting Islands Hospice patients, she is volunteering at Rehab Hospital of the Pacific, Canine TheraPets of Hawaii, or YWCA’s Dress for Success program. She is also a job coach and enjoys traveling.
We are grateful to receive Faye and Koa’s kindness and company.