Holiday Pet Blessing at Unity of Sarasota celebrates the joy of pets

By Ian Swaby
| 11:00 a.m. December 2, 2024

Mary Lou Davidson's dog Lyra is blessed by Prayer Chaplain Jacqueline Fitzgerald.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Unity of Sarasota has been offering its annual pet blessing for about 14 years, said Spiritual Care Minister Rev. Amy Zehe, who manages the event.

However, while typically held around St. Francis Day in October, this year, it joined the holiday season when it was held Dec. 1 as the Holiday Pet Blessing.

"December is a festive time of year and and the weather might be a little bit cooler than in October... so we've decided to bring it here," Zehe said.

The event has prayer chaplains at the church bless attendees' pets, celebrating the joy they bring to people.

"I try to do this every year," said Chris Deluna, who brought her Chihuahua Dixie. "She's getting older and having some health issues, so it never hurts to do a little bit of extra blessing."

Zehe said attendees also have the chance to show off their pets and socialize, while a service offers them a chance to share what is special about their pets.

"I just like the atmosphere, and the chaplains are just amazing," Deluna said. "Amy has just been so sweet. I like the presentation and the care that they give to all the animals."

Zehe noted the church also offers Bentley's House, a support group for pet loss, held via Zoom, and that the campus has a memory tree where visitors can plant a feather for a pet they have lost.

Piper Lyons, with her rabbit Zen, brought the event's only non-canine animal.

David Lewis and his dog Quincy meet with Debra Sandberg, past board president of Unity.

Wendy Clutter has Bentley blessed by Prayer Chaplain Stephen Butler.

Debra Sandberg, past board president of Unity, pets Wendy Clutter's dog Elly.

Prayer Chaplain Jacqueline Fitzgerald; Spiritual Care Minister Rev. Amy Zehe; and Mary Lou Davidson, owner of SarasotaDogs.com, and her dog Lyra

Dennis and MaryAnn Modtrak's dogs Madison and Ashland are blessed by Spiritual Care Minister Rev. Amy Zehe.

Chris Deluna's dog Dixie has a look outside her stroller.

Piper Lyons and her rabbit Zen meet Prayer Chaplain Mitch Earle

The Modtrak's dog Madison meets Prayer Chaplain Stephen Butler.

Eric Wohlgamuth, maintenance manager at Unity, has his dog Sammy blessed by Prayer Chaplain Stephen Butler.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.