There’s a well-worn saying that “DOG” is “GOD” spelled backwards, so perhaps it’s not surprising that each year, churches, hospitals, animal shelters, communities, and even wineries offer a “Blessing of the Animals” for our beloved pets.
Typically, all species—and faiths—are welcome. A religious leader might sprinkle Holy Water on each animal, or touch their head and offer a prayer on their behalf. There’s often a charitable component as well, such as fundraising for a local animal shelter.
Many Blessing of the Animals events occur on or around October 4 to coincide with the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, a patron saint of animals—and namesake of the current Pope.
That’s the case at Grace Episcopal Church in Gainesville, Georgia, which hosts its annual Blessing of Animals in 2022 on Sunday, Oct. 2. Attendees donate pet food, collars, toys, and other supplies to the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia, which sometimes brings adoptable dogs and cats to the blessing.
The Reverend Dr. Stuart Higgenbotham, the church’s rector, said he’s blessed horses, lizards, dogs, and cats at the event—though he quipped, “It takes a particular cat to come to this.”
People from all walks of life attend each year.
“The overall point of this is always linked with the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, who is the patron saint of, really, God’s presence within all of nature,” he told The Dog People. “So every year when we do this, it’s a way that we can give thanks to the pets in our lives.”
Raising a Glass and a Prayer
This year marks the 20th Blessing of the Animals at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards in Santa Rosa, California. It’s fitting since the Sonoma County winery is named for St. Francis of Assisi, and Franciscan monks planted many grapevines at Sonoma missions in the 1800s, according to Ryan Budlong, the winery’s marketing and social media manager.
People can bring their families. They’re encouraged to bring all of their pets. My kids brought their hamsters one year.
“People can bring their families. They’re encouraged to bring all of their pets. My kids brought their hamsters one year,” he told The Dog People. “We’ve had people bring fish in fishbowls. [The wildlife preserve] Safari West brings camels and giraffes, and we have horses come every year, so it’s a menagerie.”
Pet and food vendors at the blessing help raise money for the Humane Society of Sonoma County, which staffs a booth for people who want to learn about adoptable pets. There’s also a raffle for prizes ranging from vacation getaways to pet supplies, and all wine purchases support the nonprofit. Additionally, the $10 entry fee for the “Winery Dog of the Year” contest is donated to the cause.
Typically the event attracts around 250 people and their pets, and raises over $8,000 for the Humane Society of Sonoma County.
“It’s a fundraiser to support our local community, which as a 100-percent sustainable winery is very important to us: to make sure that we’re doing much more than just sustaining our grapes,” he said. “We’re sustaining our community.”
While a local priest does bless each pet, Budlong said some attendees are not religious. The focus of the upcoming October 2 event is primarily on community at the always dog-friendly winery.
“We are what we like to call ‘best-friend approved,’” he said with a laugh. “Everybody can just enjoy the day in a harmonious community with good wine, good food, and good times with the pets.”
“A Great Time to Focus on the Animals”
Community pets as well as shelter animals get blessed each year at South Pacific County Humane Society in Long Beach, Washington. The October 1st Blessing of the Animals is also an opportunity to teach children about helping endangered or abused animals.
“While it’s outside and informal, we really do get a big crowd,” Shelter Manager Sara Tokarz told The Dog People. “I think it’s kind of cool that everybody’s coming together to wish the animals well.”
It’s kind of cool that everybody’s coming together to wish the animals well.
People bring dogs, cats, bunnies, horses, and other pets. While normally the pastors touch each pet’s head for a prayer, people with reactive dogs can park their vehicle and the pastor will bless the pet from the safety of the other side of the car window.
While the nonprofit accepts donations at the event, the main emphasis is celebrating the pets and shelter animals.
“It’s a great time to focus on the animals,” she said.
Special Blessings for Special Dogs
On October 4, therapy animals will be the focus at the annual Blessing of the Therapy Dogs at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Therapy Animal Program Coordinator Cathy C. Bennett said the event is open to any active therapy dog—not just those who volunteer at the hospital. She expects around 100 dogs to attend.
“It’ll be about two hours just focusing on these heroic canine therapists and letting the handlers know how much we appreciate all that they do as volunteers—and having a good time,” she told The Dog People.
Chaplains lay hands on each and every dog and say a prayer.
The event kicks off with speeches by a patient, the mayor, and police chief, and several chaplains will then “literally lay hands on each and every dog and say a prayer.” The Minor League Baseball team Charleston RiverDogs donates hot dogs and other refreshments for the humans, and a food truck offers special canine goodies. To add to a “circus” vibe, there are games like “pin the tail on the dog” and a kissing booth for photos with pets.
There are special guests as well: patients who are able to leave their rooms.
“So you may see hospital gowns, wheelchairs, crutches, IV poles,” she said.
Bennett is thrilled to have the Blessing of the Therapy Dogs back after a pandemic-forced hiatus. She said watching the reaction of nurses, physicians, therapists, and other hospital staff when the therapy dogs were able to return after an 8-month furlough was incredibly moving—and the fact that the dogs remembered them.
“When they would see the dogs in the hallways, by the time we reached them, tears would be streaming down their faces,” she recalled. “They realized that they both missed each other so much.”
Continuing a Sacred Tradition
While many Blessing of the Animals events coincide with the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, they happen at other times of the year both here and abroad. Another popular time is on or around January 17, the feast day for St. Anthony the Abbot, a patron saint of animals who was born in 251.
One of America’s largest Blessing of the Animals takes place at historic Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles, which has hosted the event on the Saturday before Easter each year since its founding in 1930.
Valerie Hanley, treasurer of the nonprofit Olvera Street Merchants Association Foundation, noted that the Blessing of the Animals originally wasn’t done in celebration of any particular saint.
“It was done because the animals provide us everything that we need here in this life,” she told The Dog People. “Part of the reason behind having Olvera Street was to keep some of the Mexican cultural traditions alive, so that was one of the ones that we started way back then—and we kept it up all of these years.”
Traditionally, mariachi musicians play during the procession, which is led by a cow. One family brings numerous animals from their ranch, including horses, chickens, sheep, pigs, and goats. Sometimes a local herpetological society brings snakes or other reptiles. Then the general public follows.
Depending on the year, an incredible 2,500-4,000 people bring their beloved pets to the Blessing of the Animals on Olvera Street.
“Now it involves more pets because they give you that emotional support in your family,” Hanley shared. “They’re providing something for you, so we give blessings to that, too.”
People line up with their animals to receive a personal blessing from Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez, who blesses each pet with Holy Water. During the hours-long event, there’s music and dancing. Though the Blessing of the Animals is rooted in Catholicism, anyone is welcome.
We have to always see that there’s a connection between us and the animal world.
“We even have people that come with pictures of their pets, if they’re sick or they’ve passed,” she said. “We’ve had people bring ashes.”
Hanley fondly remembers attending the event as a youngster and bringing her dogs and pigeons to the Blessing of the Animals on Olvera Street. She also recalls how “back in the day,” the Los Angeles Zoo brought baby zebras and a small elephant.
Ultimately, it’s a special celebration for all the people and animals who attend.
“We have to always see that there’s a connection between us and the animal world,” she said. “It’s us and the Earth and the animal world. So there’s always that connection and that importance. It’s that importance that we need to keep.”