Patient Pet Advocates (formerly Hospice Pet Advocates) began when founders Ruth Helle, a medical social worker, and hospice nurse Thea Peck were asked to take custody of a dog facing abandonment due to a patient’s death. Operating with little more than a leash, an empty shed, and good intentions, PPA was born. After this rescue, requests began coming in from other hospice workers seeking to help patients in similar circumstances. As the depth and breadth of the problem became more clear, Ruth and Thea teamed up with other concerned pet lovers to form a non-profit 501(c)3 organization aimed at alleviating the problem through education, outreach, and direct assistance.