What is animal chaplaincy? This is a growing field in which people study and take training in the subsection of general chaplaincy. The purpose is to serve the animal beings with whom we live and interact. As humans, we are always intertwined with animals, whether they are pets in the home, street animals in our neighborhoods or cities, wildlife, or farmed animals.
Some animals are quite fortunate to live indoors among humans, with access to their basic needs—including outdoor access—but many are not. Animals suffer in myriad ways. From the classical Buddhist teachings on the animal realm, we learn that animals suffer from a basic condition of fear and ignorance. In their state of bewilderment, they do not necessarily comprehend what is happening around them, particularly in relation to humans as predators or interferences in their lives—except in the case of well-kept pets. Domesticated animals, such as cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, rodents, reptiles, fish, and other small animals, have shared space for centuries and longer in human homes and communities.
Why has animal chaplaincy come to be a growing subsection of pastoral or chaplaincy care in general? Part of this has to do with our increasing intertwinement on this overcrowded Earth. We compete with other animals for resources. However, due to our care for more-than-human creatures, we can also benefit them by our efforts. Increasingly, in various settings, I have taught that the guidelines for animal chaplaincy include not only aspects of death and dying and caring for older animals, but also an increased awareness of all stages of animal lives. We may interact with wildlife and want to improve their circumstances. We may choose to reduce our intake of farmed animals or help improve their living conditions. Animals living in captivity for our benefit do not need to suffer unnecessarily. How can we help them?
The fields of human and animal chaplaincy overlap, whether in supporting people facing their own death and dying and wondering what to do with their beloved pets, or caring for pets during all stages of their lives. Something common among humans is to recognize and honor animals we encounter when they are dying or have passed, particularly in the wilderness. Even in our own neighborhoods, when we come across a dead reptile, bird, or deer, it is natural for us to feel moved to honor their passage, even when they lived a long full life. For Buddhists, it is second nature to stop and place a flower or a branch. We may recite some mantras or make a prayer that this being encounters a more fortunate rebirth. This is especially true for children, Buddhist or not, who may still feel naturally connected to the animals where they live.
Animals the world over live on the margins of human society, in the city streets, suburban parks, and in the rural areas where it’s never quite certain which territory is whose. In many places, street animals suffer from and spread diseases. They live with increased fear and uncertainty and must navigate not only human activity but vehicle traffic and fearful circumstances as they live between natural and human-made worlds. In bigger cities, there are programs to spay or neuter street animals, and to give food and medicine or medical care. There is an unending stream of need. I often advise people when they ask about ways to help these kinds of organizations. Any organization that is legitimately trying to raise funds to train and pay their staff to care for wild animals, urban creatures, or abandoned pets is a worthy place to put our prayers, funds, and our positive intentions. These are bodhisattvas in action and they need our support.
At times, in our increasingly cold-hearted world, it may be that we grow a little hardened to the suffering and death we see among animals, as we are so focused on the human realm. But these two things are not mutually exclusive. The human and the animal realms are intimately related and, where we choose to care for animals in the home and yards, we develop even more affection and attachment to these creatures.
One function of the animal chaplain or someone with an inclination to recognize suffering is to address feelings of helplessness or guilt during the process of a person’s pet dying. Grief manifests in many different ways: sometimes as avoidance, sometimes as anger or as confusion. With training, these and other emotional states can be met by someone holding an open, accepting space. A chaplain can bring gentle structure for processing not only the emotional but also the logistical aspects that come along with caring for animals. Especially important is the process of caretaking for them at the end of their lives, whether they’re young or old at that point.
Community is one of our most under-recognized resources. In times of intense need, whether related to an animal’s birth, illness, injury, aging, or dying journey, we need community. To support the more challenging parts of our lives we need to have a community established before crises arise. In our highly individualized, success-based culture, we don’t always value or consider the need for community in caring for our human children and each other, let alone our animal brethren.
We have always shared this green globe with its many creatures. Now more than ever it is vital to lean on one another, to gather the skills and training necessary to support these aspects of life that bring us so many challenges but are a natural part of our experience. Now more than ever we must focus on making connections, cultivating empathy, and training to support one another and to accept support ourselves when needed.
May all beings find the nourishment they need and may we all be willing to give and receive the gentle care needed at the most difficult of times.
Related features from BDG
Animals in Priestly Robes in Japanese Art
An Interview with Ron Epstein on Responsible Living: Explorations in Applied Buddhist Ethics—Animals, Environment, GMOs, Digital Media
Engaging the Six Paramitas to Care for Animals, Part Two: Diligence, Concentration, and Wisdom
Childhood Pets, Animals, and Kindness
“Animals and World Religions” is a work of scholarly eloquence and moral power
