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‘Paws’ and Reflect at Blessing of the Animals

26th animal-friendly service takes place at Duke Chapel Oct. 5

Animals of all sizes (and scales) are able to attend the Blessing of the Animals on Oct. 5 at Duke Chapel. The annual event starts at 3 p.m. Photo courtesy of Duke Chapel.
Animals of all sizes (and scales) are able to attend the Blessing of the Animals on Oct. 5 at Duke Chapel. The annual event starts at 3 p.m. Photo courtesy of Duke Chapel.

For her ninth time this Sunday, Rev. Meghan Feldmeyer will fan out from the Duke Chapel steps at the conclusion of the weekly service and chat with parishioners from the Duke and Durham communities.

Later on, she’ll also offer some belly rubs and head pats, too.

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Oct. 5 marks the 26th annual Blessing of the Animals at Duke Chapel, where a special service will be held at 3 p.m. on the quad in front of the Chapel. All well-mannered, non-aggressive pets are invited to join their human companions at the outdoor worship service to mark Feast Day of St. Francis, who is patron saint of animals. Over the years, Feldmeyer and other ministers have welcomed everything from hamsters to horses.

“One of the reasons we can appreciate a unique service like this is for the sacred role pets have in our lives and all the joy that is found in it,” said Feldmeyer, director of worship at the Chapel. “People bring turtles, guinea pigs, ferrets and every once in a while we’ll get fish in bowls. It’s a whimsical event.”

The worship service lasts 15 to 20 minutes – “we know they’re animals, after all,” Feldmeyer joked – and then ministers from Duke Chapel will meet and greet visitors to offer blessings to each animal in attendance. The Durham Children’s Choir will also perform during the service.

All students, faculty, staff and local residents can attend the Blessing of the Animals, even if they don’t have a pet. Event parking is provided at cost in the Bryan Center Parking Garage. Owners of large animals like horses may be able to drop-off pets along Chapel Drive – depending on space availability - outside the Chapel on the West Quad Lot.

floyd
Floyd, a boxer owned by Duke Th.D. student Katie Benjamin, stands outside Duke Chapel during last year's ceremony. Photo by Brent Clark.

Katie Benjamin, a Th.D. student at the Duke Divinity School, started coming to the Blessing of the Animals event in 2010 after she moved to Durham with her boxer dog, Floyd.

“Of course it was fun because it was church and my dog could come,” Benjamin said.

In all, Benjamin attended three animal-friendly services with Floyd, who died in January from a tumor. She recalled one of the favorite parts for her and her dog was the social aspect of the event.

“One time, someone had a pair of dogs that were enormous – about three times the size of Floyd’s 50 pounds,” Benjamin said. “But they just started playing and lunging at each other after the service. We had lots of fun moments.”

Most of all, Benjamin appreciated the opportunity to recognize the special role Floyd played in her life and how all the other pets impacted their owners.

“It gives people a chance to come together and celebrate all the love we pour into our pets,” she said. “That love is absolutely special and very much a shared thing.”

Photos of the first Blessing of the Animals - 1989