Sunday was a special day for all our animal companions as it was the day of the Blessing of the Animals, a tradition set aside to honor St. Francis of Assisi. This Blessing of the Animals was given in recognition of God's love for all creatures, and acknowledging that humans are helped by animals.
Oct. 4 is the day set aside to honor St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226). St. Francis had a great love for all of God's creatures, and for many years a blessing of animals has been held on his feast day. The appreciation of animals is part of celebrating the creative love that God has bestowed on the world. Blessing the animal companions honors how God touches humans through each creature.
St. Francis is not the only saint who loved animals. In drawings found in medieval manuscripts, there are images of early animal blessings performed by St. Anthony the Abbott (also known as St. Anthony of Egypt), who lived in the third century. The first formal church-organized animal blessings were held in Rome in the early 20th century...
Yesterday, at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Grand Junction, there was a special service to bless the animals.
Click on links below if you want to learn more about how our Therapy Dog Libby goes about her day, and information about Therapy Dog International:.Libby's Work Day (a video)
A recent communication from Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado relayed the need for additional dogs for use with their patients. Contact Judy in Grand Junction at 970-241-2212 for further information if you would like to offer your dog and yourself as hospice dog team volunteers.
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