New Tricks: How Pet Ministry Can Transform Faith Communities and Change Lives

Pets make us better people. In the United States today, two out of every three households have at least one pet. No longer just companions, pets are a full-fledged part of the family. For some, a pet may be the only family member living in their house. What if faith communities saw this growing reality as an opportunity to create meaningful ministries of care and outreach for millions of people and the animals they love? New Tricks is a groundbreaking guide to bringing pet ministry into your faith community, offering practical steps and inspiring ideas to serve those who have pets, promote animal well-being, and embrace the unconditional love that animals bring into our lives. Written by a popular pastor and author and a lay leader who has helped train therapy dogs for decades, both of whom are passionate about animals, New Tricks is filled with heart-warming stories of how animals of all kinds minister to us and how we, in turn, can serve them and their families. Weaving biblical and theological insight with real stories of healing and support, the authors provide a compelling case for and reasons why a pet ministry has an important place among other transformative ministries in your community -- and how it can attract people to your faith community. Drawing from nearly twenty years of pet ministry experience, authors Betsy and Gayle outline six ways churches can introduce animal programs into their faith community: Care & Support for Pet Parents -- Emotional and spiritual support for those experiencing pet loss, illness, or transitions. Training Therapy Animals to Prepare for Certification -- Training and deploying certified therapy animals to visit people in healthcare facilities, schools and libraries, and participate in faith community activities. Community Service Projects -- Pet food drives, shelter and veterinarian partnerships, and fostering initiatives. Pet-focused Educational Programs -- How to prevent separation anxiety, addressing pet behavioral problems, and taking the perfect pet photo! Community Events -- Blessings of the Animals, World Pet Memorial Day, National Dog Day. Animal Advocacy -- Championing ethical treatment and welfare, conservation, and justice for animals in your community and beyond. New Tricks also includes practical resources for your pet ministry including pet loss resources (grief rituals, how to write a pet obituary, and a pet remembrance service), a template for your pet/animal ministry launch, and much more. Whether you're a pastor, lay leader, or a friend of animals big and small, New Tricks provides everything you need to integrate pet ministry into the mission of your church or faith group. Full of real-life stories, step-by-step guidance, and creative ideas, this book will inspire and equip you to make an impact with the pet people in your community and the animals they love -- through hands and paws together.