In Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31), we focus on the stark contrast between wealth and poverty, abundance and need. But tucked into the story is a tender detail: “Even the dogs would come and lick his sores,” (v. 21). While the rich man ignored Lazarus, the neighborhood dogs offered his only earthly comfort.
The dogs, considered unclean by many, became unexpected ministers of mercy. Maybe those were the same dogs under the rich man’s table, dogs that received enough crumbs to survive, dogs that noticed the suffering of another creature who lay unhoused, sick, and hungry at the man’s gate. Perhaps these dogs were offering the same kind of care they would give to a member of their pack.
Every October, we observe the Feast of St. Francis. We remember this thirteenth-century friar’s radical love of Christ, simplicity of life, and kinship with all living creatures. With a Blessing of the Animals, we celebrate the way Francis saw the creatures of the earth, not as objects for our use, but as brothers and sisters of God’s family, reminding us that God’s creation is not merely a backdrop to human life.
On Sundays, I watch one of my church’s pet ministries: a therapy dog and a handler greet those entering the sanctuary for worship. These trained greeters stand on one side of our entrance near a large sign that reads, “Welcome! Therapy Dogs Give People Comfort, Love, and Joy.” Our congregation encourages interaction with the trained therapy dog and engagement among the gathering people. For first-time guests, this unique form of hospitality can offer a calming, nonjudgmental presence. Every time I walk into that space and see people petting a dog, chatting, and smiling, it’s as if everyone’s tail is wagging.
Jesus’ mention of the merciful dogs reminds me of the ways our pets can be an antidote to our society’s neglect and coarseness. After years of being a pastor in churches with a pet ministry, I know pets are not only companions but healers. Studies confirm what many of us know: a dog’s gentle nudge, a cat’s steady purr, and the presence of an animal in a hospital room can lower anxiety, ease loneliness, and restore dignity. That’s why pet ministries in church—blessing services, pet food pantries, partnerships with shelters, therapy animal programs, education about creation care—are not sentimental extras, but God’s care for all creation.
The dogs who comforted Lazarus show us how to notice suffering, stand near the broken, and offer compassion as ministers of mercy. Jesus reminds us that our pets can make us better people.
Betsy Singleton Snyder is the pastor of Pinnacle View UMC in Little Rock, Arkansas. Together, she and Pet Ministry Director Gayle McKuin Fiser co-authored the book New Tricks: How Pet Ministry Can Transform Faith Communities and Change Lives.
Join Betsy & Gayle on October 9, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. for a free online webinar where they’ll discuss why and how to start a pet ministry in your church. If you’re an animal-lover or looking for new ministry outreach ideas for your faith community, you don’t want to miss this!
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