Our History
The Pet Chaplain Learning Series is the result of thirty years of scholarship and community service. We’ve traveled a long and winding road to develop this unique educational experience—a journey that has introduced us to countless animals and the people who love them.
Pet Chaplain founder Rob Gierka, EdD, began his service as an interfaith chaplain in the mid-1990s when he trained and volunteered as a hospital chaplain. Rob also served as a Stephen minister at his 1,200-member church, where he was the leader of the congregational care committee.
In 2004, Rob brought his chaplaincy skills to the world of pet keeping and created the Pet Chaplain community service and educational organization. He was joined in early 2013 by writer and artist Karen Duke, who worked with Rob to develop and teach an online course in veterinary chaplaincy and, later, to write and design the Pet Chaplain Learning Series.
Rob blessing a cat at the annual Blessing of the Animals held every October at Duke University Chapel in Durham, NC.
April 2004
Pet Chaplain® Founded
In early 2004, Rob Gierka launched Pet Chaplain, a community service organization dedicated to providing interfaith spiritual care to pet keepers. His goal was to bring his skills as a Stephen minister and hospital chaplain to the animal lovers in his community. He counseled those who were struggling with the imminent and past loss of a pet, attended euthanasias, conducted eulogies and memorial services, and spoke about pet loss to caregiving professionals and veterinarians.
Rob praying with a couple whose dog was being treated at North Carolina State University’s veterinary teaching hospital.
Jan 2005
Spiritual care program launched at a major veterinary teaching hospital
Rob was invited to serve as the on-call chaplain at the College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Teaching Hospital at North Carolina State University. For nearly two years, he did rounds in the small and large animal clinics, providing spiritual support to pet keepers as well as veterinary faculty, staff, and students.
Rob’s photo on the cover of the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Sept 2006
The press takes notice
Interviews and articles about Rob’s innovative pastoral care program at NC State’s veterinary teaching hospital began to appear in local and national media. These included National Public Radio, University of North Carolina Public Television, National Geographic, in the Raleigh News and Observer, and the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Nov 2006
Rob launches SPCA pet loss support group
In the fall of 2006, Rob was invited by the Raleigh location of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to facilitate a pet loss support group. He continues to facilitate the group to this day, which meets via Zoom on the afternoon of the third Sunday of each month. Click here to learn more about the group and other support resources currently available in the Pet Chapel.
Jan 2013
Karen Duke joins Rob in his Pet Chaplain project
In early 2013, Rob met writer and artist Karen Duke. The two fell in live and became partners in life and in the Pet Chaplain project. They soon discover that their skills and talents meshed perfectly, and with Karen’s help, Rob’s vision for launching an education program for aspiring pet chaplains seemed closer than ever. Their Pet Chaplain work is a labor of love and creative collaboration.
Jan 2015
Rob completes his doctoral degree in the human-animal bond and pet loss
In the first week of 2015, Rob earned his doctoral degree in adult education from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. His research focus was on the human-animal bond and pet loss. The stories he gathered as part of his research project with a small group of veterinary technology students became the seeds that eventually blossomed into the Pet Chaplain educational program.
Aug 2018
Introduction to Veterinary Chaplaincy online course launches
Rob and Karen launch a six-week online course in veterinary chaplaincy. Over the next five years, dozens of animal lovers from around the world and from all walks of life participated. The course featured small cohorts and lots of one-on-one interaction. Rob and Karen expanded the course based on student input and ongoing research into pet loss. The six-week program eventually became a comprehensive fifteen-week, college-level course.
Dec 2025 – Mar 2026
The Pet Chaplain Learning Series launches!
In January 2023, Rob and Karen put their online course on hold to focus their time and energy on transforming the written materials they’d developed for the course into the Pet Chaplain Learning Series. As part of this process, they enlisted the help of a team of expert advisors. The team included two chaplaincy supervisors, an Episcopal priest and chaplain, a veterinarian, and two university professors. The books are scheduled to be published once per month beginning in December 2025 and concluding in March 2026.
What’s next?
Future plans
At present, Rob and Karen are focused on promoting the Pet Chaplain Learning Series. They’ve also added to their offerings in the Pet Chapel with a monthly memorial service. Finally, they’re considering their options for resuming teaching online courses in veterinary chaplaincy. If you want to stay abreast of Pet Chaplain’s activities, complete the contact us form to receive periodic email updates.