D
uring the last several years, the pet
ministry at Westminster Presbyterian
Church in Upper St. Clair has become
an important part of the church’s mission.
Beth Ketterman helped create the program
and says it made sense because so many
members of the congregation have strong
bonds with their pets.
“We wanted to start some kind of ministry
that would acknowledge how important
these relationships are to so many people,”
Ketterman says.
Rev. David Fetterman, Director of
Christian Education and Spiritual Formation
at Westminster Presbyterian Church, says
that several passages in the Bible, including
Genesis 1 and Psalm 8, highlight the role
animals play in Christianity.
Rev. Fetterman individually blesses each
animal that is present as well as its human
caregiver. Although families usually just bring
cats and dogs to be blessed, Ketterman says
a wide variety of animals attended the first
ceremony several years ago, including a frog,
fish, rabbits and a horse.
“The horse had to stay outside,” she laughs.
About 100 families attend the pet
remembrance services and attendees are
invited to bring a flower to the altar to
remember an animal recently passed. The
remembrance service also includes a prayer,
scripture readings and meditation. Rev.
Fetterman said the ceremonies also give
him the opportunity to offer pastoral care to
families whose pet may be facing a serious
illness or impending surgery. Ketterman
comfort in a variety of settings. A certified
trainer teaches basic obedience and helps
the dogs learn how to act around people
who use walkers or crutches. After six weeks
of training, the dogs must pass a test and
afterward can visit local nursing homes,
hospitals or hospice facilities. Ketterman
says many animals that have completed the
program through Westminster Presbyterian
Church still regularly visit the local children’s
hospital.
Marcy Fennell, a therapy dog instructor
and evaluator, says any dog can become a
therapy animal as long as it has a calm and
friendly demeanor.
“Dogs should be very social with people
and be able to sit calmly for petting and
interaction,” she wrote in email. “Dogs should
“We wanted to start some kind of ministry that would acknowledge
how important these relationships are to so many people.”
“God gives pets as gifts and reminders
of his love expressed through creation,”
Fetterman wrote in an email. “In that way
our pets serve as reminders of the larger and
continuing creativity of God.”
The Westminster Presbyterian Church pet
ministry includes remembrance services,
blessing ceremonies and therapy dog training
sessions. Ketterman says the pet ministry has
been well-received and that members of both
the church and the community attend the
events.
“People are so thankful and appreciative,”
she adds.
In the winter and spring, the church hosts
a pet blessing ceremony that includes a
scripture reading and prayer. More than 50
animals attend, and each one has a little tag on
its collar, just like the members of the church.
noted that many people bring pictures of
recently deceased pets to the services and
afterward they can mingle with other people
and share stories.
“People are really grateful,” she says. “We’ve
all been there and can sense their pain. This is
a place where you can cry if you want to.”
Ketterman recalled an instance where
a local resident attended a remembrance
service and brought several pictures of her
deceased dog. Although her pet had died
several months prior, the woman began to cry
after the service concluded.
“The floodgates opened up,” Ketterman
explained. “It was the first time she felt
permission to grieve and express grief.”
Westminster Presbyterian Church has also
hosted several therapy dog-training programs
that prepare dogs to provide affection and
be friendly and able to focus on their task at
hand…in the presence of other dogs.”
Ketterman says she is pleased with
the program’s success and Westminster
Presbyterian Church is looking for ways
to expand the pet ministry. The church is
planning a family event in the fall that will
give members of the church and residents
of the community an opportunity to meet
with rescue groups and begin the process of
adopting a pet.
“It will be an opportunity to come out
and be in fellowship with other people in the
community,” she says. n
Upper St. Clair | Spring 2016 | icmags.com 61