Of the 30 UUAM chapters in the U.S., eight have animal chaplains to provide support.
UUAM encourages congregants “along their own path of compassion and respect for animals.” John Gibb Millspaugh, the ministry’s executive director. It starts from the premise that “when we look into an animal’s eyes and really see that animal, there's someone else on the other side who is looking back at us - that animals are our companions in creation,” said the Rev.
Unitarian Universalism maintains an animal ministry designed to “empower individuals, chapters, and congregations to build justice and compassion for animals.” There is a specific prayer during euthanasia and even one for the suffering of animals during war. has established prayers for animals who are adopted, missing, ill or dead.
Some denominations address animal concerns in a structured way today. “However, the connection and the questions about animals and humans, and what those relationships look like, go back in every religion and wisdom tradition to the beginning.” “But then, when they come into the encounter with the person, that grounding has to be invisible.” An animal ministryĪnimal chaplaincy began about 30 years ago, coinciding with new research about the human-animal bond and animal cognition, Bowen said. They have to know where they stand, who they are,” Skaggs said. In general, “chaplains have to be deeply grounded in their own tradition, whatever it is. They serve people of any or no religious background, including atheist, agnostic, spiritual but not religious, and pluralistic. You don’t have to be religious to seek out an animal chaplain. Their work addresses the human spirit instead of mental health. Animal chaplains typically describe their work as “companioning” rather than “counseling.” They listen and help make meaning from a loss or challenging event. The specialty is not the same as therapy. The field “is still in its very early days,” said Michael Skaggs, director of programs for the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab. Yet few respondents mentioned animal chaplaincy. Never heard of this emerging discipline? You’ve got company.Īccording to a recent Gallup survey commissioned by Chaplaincy Innovation Lab at Brandeis University, 1 in 4 Americans have received support from a chaplain. They may also lead “blessing of the animals” services at houses of worship, or comfort families who have lost an animal following a natural disaster. They partner with clients to develop rituals, from memorial events to a welcome for a new animal companion. “Animal chaplaincy for me means that I support all beings regardless of their belief system or species,” Bowen said.Īnimal chaplains can help clients prepare for a pet’s passing and run animal loss support groups. Animal chaplains focus on relationships or concerns involving animals, from a family struggling with a pet’s illness to a veterinary tech overwhelmed with seeing animals die at work to an activist struggling over the loss of a species or habitat. “It was so comforting to hear somebody who has experience say, ‘It’s OK it's normal, and all that grief is just love that has nowhere to go,’” Gillingham said.Ĭhaplains provide spiritual support in hospitals, hospices, universities, the military and other settings outside of congregations. Bowen is the author of “Sacred Sendoff: An Animal Chaplain’s Advice For Surviving Animal Loss, Making Life Meaningful, & Healing The Planet.” Sarah Bowen, an animal chaplain and ordained minister in New York through One Spirit Interfaith Seminary. Gillingham scheduled a virtual conversation with the Rev. After she wrote about her pain on Instagram, a friend suggested Gillingham talk with an animal chaplain.
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