AAVChap News

The American Association of Veterinary Chaplains (AAVChap) is delighted to announce our webinar schedule after hearing from our members! Starting with Veterinary Chaplaincy 101 on April 16—this one's free for all—we’ll gather on the third Wednesday of each month at 10 AM Pacific Time (11 AM Mountain, 12 PM Central, 1 PM Eastern). These sessions are a chance to deepen our connection across the human-animal bond, supporting caregivers, families, and animals alike. Apologies for the slight delay in sharing this—we’ve been fine-tuning to make it just right!

A client once told me how her tortoise’s calm gaze steadied her through a difficult week. That quiet strength inspires us. From busy clinics to peaceful homes, we’re here to nurture the bonds that sustain us. A registration button will appear soon on our homepage at AAVChap.org—keep an eye out! Join this growing community where every companion’s presence lights the way.

We’re overjoyed to welcome Rev. Sarah Bowen as an ex officio advisor to the American Association of Veterinary Chaplains (AAVChap) Board of Directors!

Sarah’s a force in animal chaplaincy—co-founder of the Compassion Consortium, where she directs their Animal Chaplaincy Training Program, and author of Sacred Sendoffs, a soulful guide to surviving animal loss and honoring all creatures. She’s been my conversation partner since AAVChap’s first steps, her insights shaping our call to spiritual care for the human-animal bond. A dean at One Spirit Interfaith Seminary and columnist for Spirituality & Health, Sarah’s out there giving sacred sendoffs to wildlife and lifting up endangered species with fierce compassion.

Her presence on our board strengthens our weave of care—for clients, caregivers, and animals alike. Want to join this journey? Stop by and join us —together, we’re tending bonds that heal the heart and planet!

The American Association of Veterinary Chaplains (AAVChap) is officially open—and our community is growing! Since our launch near the beginning of March, we’ve been thrilled to welcome a wave of new members passionate about veterinary chaplaincy and spiritual care for the human-animal bond. From veterinary teams to chaplains, chaplaincy students to families, folks are joining us to nurture that sacred connection between humans and animals, weaving compassion into every corner of caregiving. It’s heartwarming to see this movement—dreamed up back in 2021—finally taking root.

A client once shared his guilt over not protecting his little dog from an attack—then told me he’d personally fought off the bigger dog, injuring himself to save her. I told him it was one of the most amazing stories of loving compassion I’d ever heard, a heroic act. He relaxed and thanked me—no one had ever told him he’d done enough. That’s AAVChap’s heartbeat: lifting each other when it counts. And we’re just getting started!

Are you ready to be part of this journey? Stop by and join us—because together, we’re mending hearts and honoring every bond!

We’re thrilled to announce that the American Association of Veterinary Chaplains (AAVChap) has officially been granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status! This recognition marks an important step in our mission to provide emotional and spiritual support across the veterinary and animal caregiving ecosystem.

As we celebrate this milestone, we want to thank everyone who has supported our vision and believed in the importance of compassionate care for animals, their caregivers, and the veterinary healthcare team.

Stay connected with us—there’s so much more on the horizon, and we’re excited to have you along for the journey.

Together, we can strengthen the human-animal bond and foster a more compassionate world.

Thank you for being part of our story!

The American Association of Veterinary Chaplains is registered as a not-for-profit charitable organization in Washington State.  The Board of Directors is steadily working on getting all of the pieces in place for the organization and will announce milestones as they pass.

We look forward to this journey together!