My earliest memories are of reaching out to both animals and people with a compassionate heart. As a tiny child, I felt the need for kindness to be given to both animals and people. And in my simple young mind, this started as an effort to smile at other people to make them feel loved, and to reach out and pet animals and care for them in the innocent and small ways of a child's heart.
 

This photograph was taken when I was growing up with my beloved horse, Jigsaw. He was my best friend and soul-companion, teaching me the deepest spiritual truths simply from his being. We had many precious pets in our family, each treated with deep love and respect. We didn't have a concept of "owning" animals. All of our animals were beloved family members. Jigsaw was the foundation of the development of my Animal Chaplain program, and life in serving animals and our greater human family throughout my life. 

God's creation is filled with sentient life. It is my belief that all animals and all living beings (no matter what species or what size), or whether they are wild or live with human families, are individual children of God. The ones who have become a part of our families are, in my mind, sweet angels sent to us to care for our hearts.

 

They teach us what we consider to be the highest of "spiritual qualities" that we can exhibit as human beings. Yet, animals come to us already perfect in these attributes. They arrive with the natural knowing how to give us unconditional love. They accept us for who we are and they do not judge us. They offer forgiveness, loyalty (even if we don't feel we deserve it!), have tremendous patience and unwavering friendship.  

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While we feel we are saving them through our love and compassionate outreach, it is a two-way street. Our pets, in so many ways, save US through their unconditional love. 

Just as your beloved companion has been there for you during the time you share together in this life, as an Animal Chaplain, I will be there as well. Whether it is at the beginning of your journey with a new pet at their birth or adoption, or at the end of their life, and everything in between, I am here for you and your beloved pets.

 

Blessings, prayers, visits, being present for euthanasia, memorial services, with you throughout your bereavement and loss with private grief support and workshops, as well as life celebrations all the way through, I will be your Animal Chaplain, there for you when you need me.

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I will also be there for you in the same way for your journey with your human loved ones, with comfort and kindness, with an ear to hear your story as it unfolds. And if you need guidance on how you can help to bring more unity of humanity into your world, I can help you with simple ideas on how you can serve that will fit your life.