BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
Dogs, cats, goats, chickens and skunks are just some of the pets who have been blessed by the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home.
“This is an animal world,” said Robin Miller, one of the funeral home owners and a bereavement specialist and educator. “We realize what these animals give to us — love and care and compassion — that really a lot of humans don't know how or give like our animals do.”
People can have their animal friends blessed Sunday at the funeral home's 13th annual Blessing of the Animals and Pet Fair. The blessing service starts at 2 p.m.
This year the event will take place indoors at the General Butler Vagabonds Hall, 138 Whitestown Road, Lyndora. There will be pet related vendors, animal rescue groups, an artist making live caricatures, an animal chiropractor and food.
The Rev. David Janz, senior pastor at First United Methodist Church, will bless each pet.
Each pet will receive a certificate of blessing and a cross pin to attach to their collar in honor or remembrance.A unique feature of the event is Dr. David Smolensky of Mars Family Chiropractic Center, who will be available to adjust people's animal companions.Smolensky has been practicing on people for 32 years and animals for 23 years, he said.Any bones out of their normal position can cause biomechanical, muscular and neurological issues because the brain controls the body's functions via the nerves, said Smolensky, an American Veterinary Chiropractic Association certified animal chiropractic.Subluxation, an incomplete or partial dislocation of a joint or organ, is adjusted to its normal position to take the pressure off the nerve and then the body is able to heal itself.Additionally, a basket auction will benefit Canine Companions For Independence.O'Shea, who has been a grief companion dog since 2006 for the funeral home, came from Canine Companions For Independence, Miller said. The nonprofit organization provides service dogs, skilled companion dogs, facility dogs, hearing dogs for the deaf and dogs for veterans.
O'Shea is a facility dog who helps people at the funeral home in different areas including visitations and grief support groups, she said.“We want to give back to them for what they have given to us,” she said.People should bring a picture or item, such as collar, toy or urn, to honor their pet with a blessing if they are sick and cannot attend or if they have died, Miller said.If a person does not have a pet or animals, they are welcome to join.Animals that attend should be well socialized, she said. They should also be controlled, whether that be on a leash or in a cage.The love of animals has kept the event thriving for many years, Miller said.“They give so much love and companionship so this is an opportunity to have them blessed,” she said.
IF YOU GOWHAT: 13th annual Blessing of the Animals and Pet FairWHEN: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday; 2 p.m. blessing serviceWHERE: General Butler Vagabonds, 138 Whitestown Road, LyndoraFOR MORE INFO: Call Robin Miller at 724-287-2273.NOTE: Animals that attend should be well socialized. All pets must be on leash or in an appropriate carrier. If a pet is sick or has died, people may bring pictures and/or items, such as a collar, special toy and/or urn to honor their memory with a blessing.
