Pet blessing event Oct. 4

While many people have heard of Take your Child to Work Day, fewer are aware of Take your Pet to Church Day. The celebration of St. Francis of Assisi is Sunday, Oct. 4 and the Rev. Brad Jackson will offer a pet-friendly service outside Piedmont Episcopal Church in Madison for the occasion.

Around 30 people attend the event every year and though children often comprise most of the audience, according to Jackson, there are others who come for more serious reasons.

“There’s one woman who brings a dog, Scooby,” said Jackson, who is Piedmont’s pastor. “She claims it’s much better behaved after it’s been to the blessing of the animals – we get animals like Scooby on a repeat basis.”

But behavior therapy is not the only benefit people seek at the service.

“Once in a while someone will bring to us a sick animal,” said Jackson, who blesses each animal one-by-one during his church’s annual St. Francis ceremony. “An animal that maybe is older, or has diabetes and they’re really seeking something more than a blessing, there’s a hope they have, some kind of hope that this service will give their pet a little better health and a little more longevity. I think it’s just an indication of people’s real love for their animals and that really what this blessing of the animals is – it’s just a recognition of the love that people have for their animals and to celebrate it and come together and ask God’s blessing.”

The service is unusual in that it does offer a blessing of all animals and, according to Jackson, it does attract a range of pets.

“We get dogs and cats, and sometimes a chicken and we get small ponies,” said Jackson. “We’ve had dogs, guinea pigs and turtles.” He admitted that one highlight for him was a group that brought baby camels.

“I’ve brought my pets and my neighbors,’” said Courthouse Mountain resident Beppy White, who often brings horses to the event. “I thought it would be unique (to bring the horses) and entertaining for the other people. Besides, they need blessing too.”

White has 10 horses and ponies, one dog and five cats. Several of her horses and her dog have attended the pet blessing more than once since it started at the church 15 years ago.

Though she admits she has not seen much change of behavior in her animals after the blessing, she continues to take them.

“I go because it’s my church and I’m an animal lover,” she said. “I’ve been part of this for many years.”

Madison County Animal Control Officer Becky Cromwell agreed with White.

“It sounds pretty cool,” said Cromwell who was debating bringing her dog.

“I think the implication (of the event) is that as we learn more about animal psychology and we learn to really live comfortably with our pets and other animals we become appreciate of what a wonderful gift animals can be,” said Jackson.

St Francis of Assisi was a religious man and monk who, according to historical accounts, lived from 1181 to 1226. He is considered to be the founder of the Roman Catholic Church’s Franciscan Order and is its patron saint of animals. The Franciscan sect practices simplicity and poverty, according to Jackson.

Many children attend the event along with members of other Madison County churches. The event is open to all (not just Piedmont members) and every pet is welcome.

It is set for 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4 in the garden of the Piedmont Episcopal Church at 124 Church St. in downtown Madison.

For information, call (540) 948-6787.