Animal Clergy Training Course
Training Animal Chaplains and Animal Ministry Leaders
Step 2 - Course Requirement Sheets
(Revised July 26, 2007)
After filling out your application and sending it in with your tuition payment, please complete the following questions and email them to the instructor at animalclergy@aol.com. Or, you can send them by regular mail to Caring Corner/ Interfaith Animal Officiants: 5846 S. Ensenada St. Aurora, CO 80015. When all of the course requirements have been met and all of your paperwork has been sent in, you will receive your Diploma. If you are a member of the Clergy, your diploma will read, "Animal Chaplain". If you are not, it will read, "Animal Ministry Leader".
1. Requirement: Explain your ability and interest in serving others in the field of Animal Ministry, through a written application and pledge of service, and payment of $95 for the course application and tuition fee. Your tuition covers the cost of processing your application and course requirements, the internet listing, website resources and graduation documents. It does not cover materials such as books. Books are to be borrowed from the library, or purchased by the student.
Application completed and sent in: Yes / No Fee Attached: Yes / No
2. Requirement: Demonstrate your compassion for animals and humans who love them by volunteering at least 16 clock hours at a veterinary center, animal shelter, animal rescue, animal sanctuary, or zoo. You can do all of them in one site, or divide it up between sites. Explain to a staff veterinarian why you are doing this, and ask for volunteer work that allows you to interact with animals and people. When you are finished, have your supervisor(s) sign here.
Name, address and phone number of place(s) you volunteered:
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Supervisor(s) and date(s):
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
3. Requirement: Reading of required materials, with a short written reaction to each. Attaching separate pieces of paper, write your name and phone number at the top of each. Please write legibly and ask someone else to proofread your work before sending it in. (We are not looking for spelling mistakes or grammar. We are looking for thoughtfulness and a serious commitment to animal ministry.)
Read the required twelve books (six children's, three adult's and three interfaith), and write a response to each, as explained below:
- CHOOSE SIX BOOKS FROM THE FIRST LIST (CHILDREN'S BOOKS). After reading each book, write one paragraph (4 -10 sentences only per paragraph, please) for each children's book on the topic "What I have learned from this book about grief and loss". Be specific about the book's content so we know you read it. Please also tell us if (1) You would recommend this book to other students, and (2) How you would rate the book on a scale of 0-5 stars, with 5 being the highest rank.
- CHOOSE THREE BOOKS FROM THE SECOND LIST (FOR ADULTS). Please choose a variety (one relating to "Pet Blessings", one relating to "Grief and Loss" and the third of your own choosing, for example). After reading each book, write two paragraphs (4 -10 sentences only per paragraph, please) for each adult's book on the topic "What I have learned from this book about grief and loss, or the spirituality of the animal-human bond". Please also tell us if (1) You would recommend this book to other students, and (2) How you would rate the book on a scale of 0-5 stars, with 5 being the highest rank.
- CHOOSE THREE BOOKS FROM THE CATEGORY OF INTERFAITH / MULTIFAITH STUDIES AND WORLD RELIGIONS. After reading each book (very large reference books may be skimmed and kept in your personal library as a resource), write two paragraphs (3-5 sentences only per paragraph, please) on the topic, "How I will demonstrate respect for the beliefs and practices of people from religions other than my own." Please also tell us if (1) You would recommend this book to other students, and (2) How you would rate the book on a scale of 0-5 stars, with 5 being the highest rank.
When all of your books are read, and these reflection paragraphs are written, send everything to the instructor at: Interfaith Animal Clergy, 5846 S. Ensenada St. Aurora, CO 80015.
4. Requirement: Find theological support for your work within your denomination. Because Interfaith Animal Clergy is an interfaith group, and each religion has its own sacred texts or variations of a single text (the Christian Bible has many different versions, for example), we do not teach theology.
A. Using the internet or your own denominational resources as a reference, which scriptural readings do you believe support your work in the field of Animal Ministry? (An exhaustive review is not necessary - a few verses or passages that will inspire you in your work are acceptable.)
B. Using the internet or other resource, list several contacts within your own denomination who agree to mentor, support and encourage you in your theological growth regarding Animal Ministry. If you ordained independently, find three friends who are spiritually-minded animal lovers who will be there for you when you need to talk to someone. Remember, you must agree to complete confidentiality with your clients.
5. Requirement: Phone interview. Send email to animalclergy@aol.com and schedule a phone interview (approximately 20 minutes).
Phone interview completed on date ________________.
6. Requirement: Attach documentation of your leadership title or certificate of ordination from any religious organization (send a copy, not the original please). We will use this title for your certificate. Interfaith Animal Clergy training does not ordain clergy. This is a ministry course, not an ordainment. However, we can suggest internet-based organizations that will ordain you. If you are interested in being ordained by an interfaith seminary to become an Animal Chaplain, please do so before taking this course (some are listed at the bottom of this page). If your ministry is acceptable to your particular religious community, that is all that matters to us. If you are an ordained member of the clergy, or if you become one while taking this course, your Diploma will read, "Animal Chaplain". If you are not ordained, it will read, "Animal Ministry Leader".
7. Email all of your course sheets, with your name and phone number at the top of each page, to AnimalClergy@aol.com or mail to: Caring Corner / Interfaith Officiants, 5846 S. Ensenada St., Aurora, CO 80015. If you list an email address, you will receive an email confirming that your materials have been received. Your Diploma, automobile visor card, and wallet ID will be mailed to you after your completed portfolio is reviewed and processed (usually within 3 weeks). We do not hold ceremonies, but we do encourage you to celebrate your accomplishment with your family and friends!
8. After your graduation from the Animal Ministry course, your contact information will be listed on this site under "Course Graduates" with a special designation that you are a graduate of our course (ACT).
