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Have you ever had a pet who changed your life? Are you a better person because of a special animal? If you answered yes to these questions, you’re not alone. An estimated seven out of ten American families keep pets, and many say their animals teach them important life lessons and change their lives for the better.

This book explores the powerful role animals play in our lives. In ten intimate stories of pet keeping and loss, you’ll meet some aspiring veterinary professionals and the heart animals who sparked their interest in their work. They’re all “sacred stories”—narratives that reveal who we are and what we value. If you’re a pet keeper, these stories provide insight into the motivations of the professionals you trust to care for your animals. And if you’re a veterinary professional or a person who works or volunteers in animal rescue, they’ll deepen your understanding of your calling to your work.

Heart Animals will also invite you to develop your own sacred story about the animals who’ve changed your life. As the first volume in the four-book Pet Chaplain® Learning Series, this book sets the stage for a spiritual journey in which you’ll explore your relationship with animals and the natural world through reading, reflection, and storytelling. At the conclusion of your journey, you’ll have a clear understanding of your values and beliefs about animals and be inspired to envision ways to lead a life in relationship with animals that’s in perfect harmony with your spiritual values.

The Pet Chaplain® Learning Series is an award-winning, four-volume set that explores pet keeping and loss in the modern West and offers instruction in interfaith spiritual care for pet loss. The series is the brainchild of Rob Gierka, EdD, who founded Pet Chaplain, a community service and educational organization, in 2004. An expert in the human-animal bond and the unique experience of pet loss, Dr. Gierka is a pioneer in the emerging field of interfaith spiritual care for pet loss and has extensive experience in veterinary and community settings. Visit petchaplain.com to learn more.