When you lose your best friend

Pet Chaplain® is a nonprofit service that trains individuals and groups in veterinary pastoral care. We can train you and your staff to support people who grieve the loss of animals. You may study online to become a registered Pet Chaplain® or Earth Chaplain. Read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page to learn more.

Pastoral care is a proven model of emotional and spiritual support that can be found in all cultures and religious traditions. We are an educational institute not a religious organization. We believe bereavement care should mirror the emotional and spiritual needs of grieving pet owners and veterinary staff. James Herriot, British surgeon and author of All Creatures Great and Small, wrote, "If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.”

Why is it important for you to study veterinary pastoral care? Because many people are in need. They're grieving for their pets and other animals, and often grieving alone. And some grieve for the Earth, the air, water, soil and the global systems that support life. As Oceanographer Sylvia Earle wisely said, “Knowing is the key to caring, and with caring there is hope that people will be motivated to take positive actions. They might not care even if they know, but they can’t care if they are unaware.” Learn more so you can help. Take positive action through veterinary pastoral care.

Do you grieve the loss of a special animal?  Do you sometimes struggle for what to say to your clients, congregants, or community members when they grieve for animals? Do you or your staff experience compassion fatigue? We will teach you about the human-animal bond and bereavement and train you to help others adapt to grief and loss. Our trainers will raise your social and cultural awareness of anthrozoological bereavement and teach you how to take gentle and confident lead in potentially stressful and emotional situations.

Our staff have clinical experience and more than 20 years pastoral practice. We offer online training paired with hands-on experience in veterinary pastoral care. We can assist you and your staff with your training needs.