Unity of Sarasota celebrates the unconditional love of pets

Several pet owners brought their companions on Sept. 30 to Unity of Sarasota for the church’s annual pet blessing.

The event celebrates the unconditional love of four-legged friends and the joy they bring their human caretakers.

The pet blessing is scheduled each year to fall on or near the Feast of St Francis of Assisi (Oct. 4), said Amy Zehe, associate minister at Unity of Sarasota. 

St. Francis is the patron saint of animals.

“We’ve had as many as 70 people show up,” said Zehe.

Unity’s celebration of pets has been held for more than a decade.

In addition to receiving the minister’s blessing, the group of mostly dogs was able to enjoy the church’s lush grounds and a barbecue with regular and vegan hot dogs.

Mary Brugger brought her poodle, Piper, 13, to Unity for her first blessing since she was a puppy.

“She never used to miss a farmers market,” said Brugger. “She’d always know where the stands with the treats were."