Part of the Family
Pulaski Heights Has Expanded Their Pet Ministry to Include Grief Support, Educational Classes, and More
By Caleb Hennington Digital Content Editor, @arumceditor
fall, Pulaski Heights is offering Care and Support for Pet Owners, Community Service and Educational Programs, and Animal Events.
T
his past year, Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church’s therapy dog training program was so popular, they were forced to put dozens of potential therapy pups and their trainers on a waiting list.
“Every time we put the word out that we were doing another class, the list would fill up immediately,” said Gayle Fiser, Pet Ministry Coordinator at Pulaski Heights. Fiser said the waitlist grew so large, they had to expand their classes into the summer. The spring and fall, seasons when the classes would normally take place, weren’t cutting it anymore.
Each one of these components is intended to break down the traditional barriers placed between pets, their owners, and the church, and find ways to incorporate pets fully into the lives of the church community. “One of the most important pieces of this expansion is Care and Support for Pet Owners. This will be a support system for pet owners who have pets that are sick or have recently died,” Fiser said. “We have a connect card on our church bulletin that has different things you can check for care and support, and we’ll be adding ‘pet illness’ as a box to be checked if you need prayers for your pet.”
As the church heads into 2020, they are now looking at offering more than just therapy dog training; beginning in November, the church is launching a full pet ministry expansion that covers every facet of a pet owner and their furry friends’ lives.
Pulaski Heights is also looking to hand out pet prayer blankets, similar to prayer shawls, that Fiser says will let pets know they are surrounded by love and prayers.
The church is launching three new components to their pet ministry. In addition to therapy dog training in the spring and
“They’ll be made out of fleece instead of a crocheted blanket, that way they are lightweight and soft, and their nails won’t get
13
ARKANSAS UNITED METHODIST
ARUMC.ORG
