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Comfort For
Pet Caregivers
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A recent survey shows that 63 percent of U.S. families share space with a pet, and half of those polled consider their pets to be family members. That makes for millions of people who are happy when their pets are thriving, and very sad when their animals are ill, or when they die. And, as Reed Galin reports, it inspired a unique support group. |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: Madison, Indiana)
Little girl reading poem: “I loved you, I loved you, goodbye, goodbye.
All I can do now is sit down and cry.”
It’s a place where pet owners can share their memories.
The joys of owning a pet, and the pain of losing one. A pain that
sometimes can be underestimated by others.
The Rev. Randy Jungkurth/North United Methodist Church: “People can
grieve a pet for as long a time and go through the whole grief process
as they might for some other human being that they’re attached to and
that they love.”
The Pet Caretaker’s ministry at North United Methodist Church in
Madison, Indiana helps those dealing with the illness or death of a pet.
Church volunteer Bob Schultz started the ministry after seeing a pet
owner crying at a veterinary clinic.
Bob Schultz/North United Methodist Church: “I just looked at him
and I said, ‘We need to have something where we can have caretakers for
pets.’”
Schultz and his wife, Karen, understand the pain of dealing with an
ailing pet. Their 11-year-old boxer, Scooby, has cancer.
Karen Schultz/North United Methodist Church: “Scooby’s been a very
close friend and I was just finding it hard to imagine life without
him.”
The support group meets once a month at the church.
The Rev. Randy Jungkurth/North United Methodist Church: “Especially if
you live alone, I can see where one becomes bonded and attached to their
pet. And so pets take a very important role in filling a void.”
Bob Schultz on phone: “Seven times seventy-seven prayer line.”
A 24-hour prayer line also takes calls about pets. And pet caretakers
say the love of their four-legged friends is a two-way street.
Bob Schultz/North United Methodist Church: “We think we’re taking care
of the pets. But in reality, the pets are taking care of us.”
TAG:
There are lots of interesting stats about pet ownership. The American Veterinary Medical Association says 21 percent of pet owners have at least five pets. That makes for lots of people who care about their animals’ welfare.
The number for North United Methodist Church’s
24-hour prayer line—and that includes prayers for pets—is 812-493-4487.
For more information, contact
www.northumc.com or call 812-273-1226.