Catholic" dogs and their owner provide pet therapy to elderly...
from Chalic Aid News

HOPKINS, Minn. - While none are Catholic Aid members, dogs can be Catholic too, according to Sue Clark, a Hopkins, Minn., CAA member.

“ Father calls them his Catholic dogs,” Clark said of Fr. Gerald Dvorak, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Hopkins where she and her Chihuahuas attend Mass regularly.

The dogs began attending Mass simply because they accompany Clark just about everywhere she goes. It started with her oldest, Petita, who turned six in January. After buying Petita in 1998, Clark started carrying her in a special bag wherever she went, including Mass because Clark was afraid Petita would be too hot or cold in the car.

Petita was so well-behaved, that no one even knew she was there.

At the time, Clark was a traveling salesperson and often attended Mass at St. Dominic Church in Frederic, Wisc. It was there that Fr. David Lusson started referring to Petita as his “Catholic dog.” When Petita had Pansy in 2000 and Pongo in 2002, it was only natural that she would bring her puppies up in the faith.

Clark has since changed jobs and moved to Hopkins. Now she and her pets are full-fledged members of St. Joseph parish where Fr. Dvorak has welcomed the “Catholic dogs.” But attending Mass isn’t the only Catholic thing these Chihuahuas do. They also perform good works by providing service to their community. They often accompany Clark to nursing homes to visit residents – bringing much-needed smiles to the elderly.

Clark said their pet therapy ministry began right after Petita gave birth to her first litter. Clark had Petita and her new puppies (one of whom was Pansy) in their carrying bag as she ate dinner at an Osh Kosh, Wisc., restaurant. She overheard an elderly woman talking to her son about their family dog and how much she missed him. Later, Clark heard the son ask his mother if she was ready to go back to the nursing home. Clark couldn’t resist the opportunity to make this woman smile. After showing the bag of puppies to the son, Clark placed it on the woman’s lap.

“ You should have seen her face when she saw all those cute little puppies peek out of the bag,” Clark said. “She just lit up. She said, ‘You come see me again.’ So I did. I started visiting her at the nursing home whenever I was in town. From then on, when I was traveling and had a little time, if I saw a nursing home I’d stop by.”

With her friendly personality, Petita was a natural at providing pet therapy. Pansy and Pongo are just as affable. Clark refers to Petita, Pansy and Pongo as her “Angels 3.”

Petita and Pansy seem to know who needs attention, Clark said. Pongo is more of an entertainer – a singer to be exact. Clark discovered his talent one day when riding in the car and singing to the oldies on the radio. Pongo enthusiastically joined in. Now on their visits, Clark sings a scale and Pongo sings along.

Clark enjoys volunteering with her pets so much, that when her company was sold in 2003, she decided to quit her job in sales to work with the elderly. She began working as a personal care attendant for Visiting Angels, an organization that provides in-home care to older adults to allow them to continue living in their own homes. When her clients find out about Clark’s “Angels,” they often request visits from them and Clark happily complies. Clark, Petita, Pansy and Pongo also continue to make visits to hospitals and nursing homes in Hopkins and the surrounding area.

Two years ago at Christmas, Clark, dressed up a new batch of puppies with big red ribbons, and they spent the day at Augustana Chapel View Care Center in Hopkins. Clark said it was very rewarding to spend the day with people who otherwise would have been alone.

Petita, Pansy and Pongo have even provided cross-denominational ministry by visiting the Jewish residents of a St. Louis Park nursing home. Most recently, they donned bandanas decorated with the Star of David to help residents celebrate Hanukah.

“Father told them it was all right for just one day,” Clark said.

While Petita, Pansy and Pongo are extremely social, Clark said they have learned that they have to wait until after Mass to play. Pongo fully restrains his urge to join in the chorus - even when Clark is singing in the choir. And at a recent St. Francis celebration, Clark said Pongo showed his disapproval for bad behavior when he reprimanded a noisy poodle with a quiet growl.

“ They are good Catholic dogs,” Clark said proudly.