Sussex church St Augustine's supports bereaved pet owners

St Augustine’s in Scaynes Hill, near Haywards Heath, is one of a few churches in the country to have its own animal chaplain.

Maria Brett comes from a farming background and is now a vet practice manager at Downwood Vets in Horam and Ringmer.

The 54-year-old has been worshipping at St Augustine’s all her life, having grown up in the church.

Animals are her great passion and she said it was a natural step for her to take the Authorised Lay Ministry animal chaplaincy course through the Diocese of Chichester, encouraged by her vicar Rev Beverly Miles.

“With my work in the vet practice and in particular euthanasia, I witnessed the impact of bereavement on people,” said Maria.

“I’ve been able to help people understand the symptoms and diagnoses. If they have to face the inevitable decision of euthanasia then I would be able to explain what to expect and help them prepare for it.

Maria with her dog Ollie (Image: Submitted)

“Having lost a much-loved pet, they would say, ‘Oh I’m sorry I know I am being stupid. It is just an animal’. I want to reassure them they definitely are not and what they are feeling is completely normal. Where there is love, there will be grief, there will be sadness. There is a lot of guilt too.”

Maria supports church members and people in the community who have lost a pet or who may be living on their own and worried about a pet’s health.

She said: “It gives a message that the church recognises losing an animal is a big deal. People can now remember their pets by writing the pet’s name on a pebble and placing it at the foot of a statue of St Francis in the church.”

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Maggie Sawney, a member of St Augustine’s, was supported by Maria following the death of her cat Molly.

“Owning a pet inevitably brings with it the day when they pass away,” she said.

“When my cat Molly had to be put to sleep fairly unexpectedly Maria was right there to support me through this tough time. It’s a real privilege to know there is someone there who will understand animal bereavement.

“The church really is animal friendly. On Sundays it is not unusual to have three dogs joining in with our service.”

After Covid Joanna Burdett, who lived locally, wanted to go back to church but was unable to because her dog Lola, acquired during lockdown, was too nervous.

Lola (Image: Submitted)

She said: “I got my lovely schnoodle Lola during lockdown and she was a total delight. Unfortunately, when I tried to leave her after we came out of Covid she was very distressed. I really wanted to get back to church but was unable to go back to my old church.

“Friends recommended St Augustine’s and said I could take Lola with me. Well, ten months later we have not looked back. We have received the warmest welcome and Lola loves going. I only need to say ‘church’ and she is wagging her tail and by the back door ready to go.”

St Augustine’s is registered with Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals (ASWA) and was recently named Animal Friendly Church of the Year.

Most churches in the diocese are animal friendly and a growing number of churches hold an animal blessing every year.