Chaplaincy Innovation Lab

Based at Brandeis University in Waltham, MA, the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab (CIL) was launched in 2018. In March 2020, Pet Chaplain was invited by the CIL to participate in a webinar that explored the fascinating work that veterinary chaplains are doing at the intersection of humans, animals, and spiritual care. Pet Chaplain founder Rob Gierka participated in the webinar along with four other individuals who had participated in our Introduction to Veterinary Chaplaincy online course. It was a wonderful opportunity to address the topics that are dear to our hearts and build some public awareness about this new field, and we’re thrilled to have a partnership with CIL.

View the Pet Chaplain webinar with the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab

The SPCA of Wake County, NC

Pet Chaplain has enjoyed a partnership with the Wake County, North Carolina, chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) since 2006 According to their website, spcawake.org, the mission of the SPCA™ is to “transform the lives of pets and people through protection, care, education, and adoption. Our vision is to create a humane community.” Pet Chaplain founder Dr. Rob Gierka launched a pet loss support group at the SPCA of Wake County in 2006 and continues to facilitate a monthly meeting over Zoom.

Pet Cloud

Kevin Ringstaff, a graduate of the Pet Chaplain online training program, founded PetCloud, a small business that supports people experiencing grief for pet loss. PetCloud works to build community around mutual sharing and grief support. Kevin strives to “understand the pain and anguish we go through when we lose someone we love.” We support PetCloud and Kevin’s efforts to bring healing and community to people grieving for the loss of a beloved pet.