Walk into Unity of Santa Barbara and you're apt to find more than just human company. The church sponsors a pet prayer ministry as well as two annual animal blessing days. “We're a very pet-responsive congregation,” explains Rev. Linda Spencer. “Short and tall—dog, cat, fish—in person and in photographs … it is a great and sacred honor to lovingly bless our animal companions.”

Across the country in Georgia, for more than five years a highlight of services at Atlanta Unity Church has been Garlin's Marmaduke Surovy (Reverend Duke for short), a long-haired miniature dachshund. He is lovingly referred to as the “Minister of Unconditional Love,” and there are numerous stories of how Rev. Duke has helped members of the community.

For instance, once while waiting to speak with a woman about her mother's memorial service, Rev. John A. V. Strickland, minister at Atlanta Unity Church, found Rev. Duke in the woman's lap. He explains, “There was the grieving woman … receiving abundant and greatly affectionate doggy kisses. … I could see her soften and smile, and a light began to shine in her eyes. As we made our preparations she asked, ‘May I take my mother's dog to the service? … The last few years of her life, my mother's dog was her constant companion and best friend. It just wouldn't seem right if her dog was not at her service.' The dog was a loving and honored guest on that important occasion.”

Animals in the Healing Process 

Unity churches are not the only places that honor the bond shared between humans and animals. Many nursing homes also recognize the importance of the animal/human connection in the healing process. Studies have shown the profound effect animals can have on the well-being of individuals through animal-assisted therapy. For years, organizations like Pets for Life and Therapy Dogs International have brought approved certified animal companions into nursing homes, prisons and children's hospitals.

Gwen Meyer, Kansas City Pets for Life participant, shared in a Daily Word® article that it's a win-win for her and her pets. “My dogs give unconditional love, and they have taught me how to love unconditionally also. They go into a hospital room and look past the burn-scarred face of a man to his very heart and soul. With the wag of its tail, the dog says ‘I love you'—unconditionally.”

A Spiritual Connection

Recognizing that animals have the ability to connect with humans on a healing level, can it be said that they possess a spiritual consciousness?

In her Unity.org blog One Voice, Paula Coppel, vice president of communications for the Unity School of Christianity, shares what she learned during an interview with best-selling author and spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle. She writes, “I couldn't resist asking him: Do you consider animals to have a higher level of awareness than human beings?”

Tolle replied, “Not higher, but I sometimes say animals are closer to God than humans. They are closer to the source. The humans are more lost in the mind forms. Being is more obscured to the human because of the overlay of ego and mental formation.”

Rev. Spencer of Unity Santa Barbara agrees. “Animals are open to their natural oneness with God, and with life. … They function in cooperation with their natural knowing. My cat recovered from a life-threatening stroke this year and taught herself to be fully functional once more. She just did it ... because it was just the right and perfect thing to do. People have told me that an animal's ability to do that occurs because they don't reflect upon, edit nor limit their experience. Witnessing the impact they (animals) have on others in their selfless service is a miracle to behold.”

For more information about animal-assisted therapy, check your local yellow pages.

Tell us your stories about animals and healing.

More About Rev. Duke

By Rev. John Strickland

Duke remains committed to unconditional love, a joyously wagging tail and doggy kisses for whoever puts a face close to his. The church (Atlanta Unity Church) is a far better place for the presence of Rev. Duke, our Minister of Unconditional Love on Sundays, during weekday office hours and at other special programs. The church is fun again. Lots of adults and children come each week and Duke greets each one enthusiastically on every occasion. He is my teacher and our church's teacher.

A few years ago, on a Sunday morning, I saw a man come into the service and sit down. I knew this man and knew that he had been going through a very difficult time. As far as I knew, Duke had never really met the man, but he left my side and went to sit through the entire service with that man. I could sense that man's energy begin to soften, and I could see the healing begin.

There is a woman in my church who has been having a difficult time. She is young, educated and bright, but has not quite found her calling. She used to come visit me for prayer and counseling, but not anymore. She calls to see if Duke is in the office and makes an appointment with him. They love each other very much, and they go for walks together. They are both happier as a result.

I love my association with adults, don't get me wrong. But there is something very special about animals and children, who have big ideas, big hearts full of love, and not always the language skills to communicate so we can understand them. That's why it behooves us “big people” to spend time with animals and children. We need to listen, not only with the ears but also with our hearts.  

God speaks through the silly jokes and stories of children and the wagging tails and slobbering kisses of dogs. If you want to see God today, spend time with your children, grandchildren or neighbor's children. And spend time with some animals. If you don't or can't have any of your own, then volunteer at the Humane Society and spend time with those animals that are waiting and hoping for a tender-hearted soul to come by and experience a little bit of God or a little piece of heaven with them.  

And if you happen to be in the Atlanta area and can spend a little time on the northeast side of town at Atlanta Unity, come by and have a session with Rev. Duke. You'll see God. I'm sure of it, because I see God in him every day