Introducing the first-ever textbook in veterinary chaplaincy, a new field of spiritual care focused on the unique needs of the pet-keeping community. Our animal companions bring love and joy to our lives, and losing them can be heartbreaking. Yet many of us struggle to find the emotional and spiritual support we need when we lose a pet. Veterinary Chaplaincy: Interfaith Spiritual Care for Pet Loss is a response to this abiding need. Based on the scholarship and hands-on experience of Pet Chaplain® founder and chaplaincy educator Rob Gierka, EdD, this groundbreaking book offers a foundational education in the principles of veterinary chaplaincy and practical tools you can use to support pet keepers in clinical and community settings. Veterinary Chaplaincy is a call to action for anyone interested in this work, including professional caregivers, people who work or volunteer in the animal care and services industry, and everyday people who wish to provide spiritually inclusive comfort and support to their family and friends. Praise for Veterinary Chaplaincy: “I have a library of spiritual care books, and none compare to the value of this one. It is clear, inclusive, gentle, wise, knowledgeable, and beautifully written. Decades of study and experience, reading and practice, learning and self-reflection have all come together in a deceptively simple and straightforward book.” — Fran Prem Professional Chaplaincy Supervisor and Clinical Pastoral Educator Melbourne, Australia “Veterinary chaplaincy has been a transformative part of not just my professional life as a veterinarian, but also myself personally. I use what I’ve learned every day in every conversation with my clients. Helping people say goodbye to their pets is a complex and beautiful experience.” — Christine Scott, DVM In-Home Euthanasia Specialist Detroit, Michigan Veterinary Chaplaincy is the final book in the Pet Chaplain® Learning Series, a four-book set that was awarded a bronze medal for best non-fiction book series from the Independent Publishers Book Awards (IPPY) in 2026. An IPPY award recognizes excellence among self-published authors and independent publishers. The series explores pet keeping and loss in the modern West. Packed with robust research, heart-touching pet stories, and interactive learning resources, the learning series is well suited to self-study and book discussion groups. Visit petchaplain.com to learn more about Pet Chaplain and its diverse educational resources.