13.12.2022
Bark! The Herald Angels Sing – Dogs enjoy the First Howell at Peata Carol Service
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing and The First Nowell were among the festive favourites enjoyed by dogs of all sizes who attended the Peata Therapy Dog Carol Service in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, today (Tuesday December 13). The annual service celebrates the joy pets bring, and in particular the gifts that therapy dogs bring to patients and staff they visit in caring institutions.
The service was led by Dean Dermot Dunne and sung by singers of the Christ Church Choirs. The pet blessing was delivered by Archbishop Michael Jackson.
Speaking over the enthusiastic barks of some of the congregation, Dean Dunne welcomed everyone to the much loved service. “This is a service for dogs so there will be barks,” he said adding that pets are very close to people’s hearts.
Thanking the cathedral for hosting the event, Ian Sutton, chair of Peata Therapy Dogs, said the service marked the start of Christmas for them. He said he was delighted to look down at all the friendly faces after a strange couple of years. He was also delighted that visiting had resumed for Peata volunteers to caring institutions and that the organisation had also started to assess new members and visiting teams once again.
Archbishop Jackson brought the service to a close in prayer and thanked Peata volunteers for the joy they and their dogs bring to those whom they visit.
The collection during the service was in aid of Peata and the Peter McVerry Trust. The congregation enjoyed Mince pies afterwards hosted by the Friends of Christ Church Cathedral.
