Animal Clergy Training Course
Training Animal Chaplains and Animal Ministry Leaders - A specialized ministry of InterfaithOfficiants.com.
Reading List
Animal Clergy Training Course Requirements:
Books for Kids - Choose 6
Books for Adults - Choose 3
Books on Interfaith Studies - Choose 3
Note: All of the books listed on this page are approved for the course in Animal Ministry.
Other similar books may be substituted with permission of course instructor.
Please let the instructor know at animalclergy@aol.com if you have any other reading list suggestions.
For a list of recommended books on Ethical Vegetarianism, which are not part of this course, click here.
Note: Please do not buy your books from Amazon.com. Here is why. Thank-you.
Books for Children
Books by: Adams, Carol, God Listens When You're Sad: Prayers When Your Animal Friend Is Sick Or Dies, Pilgrim Press, 2005
God Listens When You Care: Prayers for All the Animals of the World, Pilgrim Press, 2006Biale, Rachel, My Pet Died (Let's Make a Book About It) , Tricycle Press,1997
Dalpra-Berman, Gina, and Hoss-Schneider, Barbara, Remembering Pets: A Book for Children Who Have Lost a Pet, Robert D. Reed Publishers, 2001
Davis, Christine, For Every Dog an Angel, Lighthearted Press, 2003
Davis, Christine, For Every Cat an Angel, Lighthearted Press, 2003
Diamond, The True Story of Critter Angels, LikeMinds Press, Inc., 2005
Demas, Corrine, and Hoyt, Ard, Saying Good-Bye To Lulu, Little Brown and CO, 2004
Draesel and Brown, Bless All Creatures Here Below: A Celebration for the Blessing of the Animals, Morehouse Group,1997
Gibson, Barbara L., The Dragonfly Door: A New Book to Help Explain Loss & Change to a Child, Featherrock Books, 2007
Graham, Mark and Howard, Ellen, Murphy and Kate, Simon and Shuster, 1995
Heegaard, Saying Goodbye to Your Pet: Children Can Learn to Cope with Pet Loss, Fairview Press, 2001
Hill and Rosenberry, The Bug Cemetery, Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 2002
Hoban, Lillian and Cohen, Miriam, Jim's Dog Muffins, Random House Children's Books, 1996
Marianne Johnston, Let's Talk About When Your Pet Dies (The Let's Talk Library), PowerKids Press,1998
Liss-Levinson and Baskette, Remembering My Pet: A Kid's Own Spiritual Remembering Workbook for When a Pet Dies, Skylight Paths Publishing, 2007
Mellonie, B., and Ingpen, R., Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death To Children, 1983
Moorehead and Cannon, A Special Place for Charlee: A Child's Companion Through Pet Loss, Partners in Pub Llc, 1996
Nolfo-Wheeler, Amy, All God's Creatures Go To Heaven, Noel Studio,1996
Ormerod, Jan and Harris, Robert, Goodbye Mousie, Simon and Schuster, 2004
Parker, Marjorie Blain and Janet Wilson, Jasper's Day, Kids Can Pr, 2002
Pomerance, Diane, PhD, When Your Pet Dies, Poltaire Publications
Rogers, F., When a Pet Dies, Putnam Publishing, 1988 (from dear old Mr. Rogers himself!)
Rosen, The Blessing of the Animals, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2000
Ryan and Alley, When Your Pet Dies: A Healing Handbook for Kids (Elf-Help Books for Kids), Abbey Press, 2003
Rylant, C., Dog Heaven, Scholastic, Inc., Blue Sky Press, 1995
Viorst, J., The Tenth Good Thing About Barney, Antheneum, 1972 (a secular Humanist story with heart)
Wild, Margaret, and Young, Noela, Toby, Houghton Mifflin, 1994
Wilhelm, Hans, I'll Always Love You, Dragonfly Books, 1988
Reading for Adults
Adamec, Christine, When Your Pet Dies: Dealing With Your Grief and Helping Your Children Cope, iUniverse, 2000
Books by Anderson, Allen and Linda, Rainbows and Bridges: An Animal Companion Memorial Kit, New World Library, 2005
God's Messengers: What Animals Teach Us About the Divine, New World Library, 2003Angel Horses: Divine Messengers of Hope by Allen Anderson, New World Library, 2006Angel Dogs: Divine Messengers of Love by Allen Anderson, New World Library, 2005Angel Cats: Divine Messengers of Comfort by Allen Anderson, New World Library, New World Library, 2004 Angel Animals: Exploring Our Spiritual Connection with Animals, New World LibraryRESCUED: Saving Animals from Disaster, New World Library, 2006Anderson, M., Coping With Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet, Peregrine Press, 1994
Antinori, Debbie, Journey Through Pet Loss (audiobook) To order: http://www.petlossaudio.com/
Auchterlonie, Sweet Reunions, PublishAmerica, 2005
Barbanell, Sylvia, When Your Animal Dies, Psychic Press (originally published in 1940!), New Ed, 2001
Barton Ross, Pet Loss And Children: Establishing A Healthy Foundation, Routledge, 2005
Books by Behrikis-Shanahan, Niki, There Is Eternal Life For Animals: A Book Based On Bible Scripture www.eternalanimals.com
Breitenbach, Marcia, Healing the Grief of Pet Loss, DVD/Video (okay for course) Order from: www.griefandlosshelp.com/petloss.html
Bronson, Howard, Dog Gone, Bestsell Publications,1994.
Bubbers, Susan, Pet Prayers, Creation House, 2006
Carmack, Betty J., Grieving the Death of a Pet, Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2003
Carman, Judy, Peace to All Beings: Veggie Soup for the Chicken's Soul (Pro-vegetarian) Lantern Books, 2003
Caruso, Blessing the Animals, Skylight Paths Publishing, 2006
Chiffolo and Hesse, We Thank-you God, For These: Blessings and Prayers for Family Pets, Paulist Press, 2003
Coleman, Forever Friends: Resolving Grief After the Loss of a Beloved Animal, J C Tara Enterprises, 1993
Coombs, Bernard (Bernie) J., All Creatures do go to Heaven, especially Pets - proved from the original
Biblio Books, IsraelCotner, June, Animal Blessings, Prayers and Poems Celebrating Our Pets, Harper San Francisco, 2000
Dombrowski, Daniel A. Babies and Beasts: The Argument from Marginal Cases University of Illinois Press, 1997
Farrington, The Ark and the Covenant: Living in Godly Relationship
Farrington, All God's Creatures: The Blessing of Animal Companionship, Paraclete Press, 2006
Fitzgerald, The Grieving Child: A Parent's Guide, Fireside, 1992
Gatto, Palm, Keer and Carusone Beyond the Rainbow Bridge, (about losing a horse), Half Halt Press, Inc., 2005
Gonzales, Fleischer and Baron, The Blessing of the Animals: True Stories of Ginny, the Dog Who Rescues Cats, Harper Paperbacks; 1st HarperPerennial Ed edition,1997
Greene, Lori A., Saying Good-Bye to the Pet You Love: A Complete Resource to Help You Heal, New Harbinger Publications, 2002
Grey, Coping With Pet Loss, Sheldon Press, 2006
Guerrero, Diana L., Blessing of the Animals: A Guide to Prayers and Ceremonies Celebrating Pets & Other Creatures, Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated, 2007
Gustafson and Lindhe, Losing Your Dog: Coping With Grief When a Pet Dies, Bergh Publishing, 1992
Books by: Haymes and Lautemann, Healing From the Loss of a Pet (Audio CD), PetCaring (Kalalogos), 2006
Grieving the Loss of Your Pet, Kalalogos, 2003Harris, Julie, Pet Loss: A Spiritual Guide, Lantern Books, 2002
Holmes, M. Jean, Do Dogs Go to Heaven?, Joipax Publishing, 1999
Books by: Hunt, Laurel, Angel Pawprints, Hyperion, 2000
Angel Whiskers, Hyperion, 2007Hyland, Regina, God's Covenant with Animals: A Biblical Basis for the Humane Treatment of All Creatures, Lantern Books, 2000
James, John, When Children Grieve: For Adults to Help Children Deal with Death, Divorce, Pet Loss, Moving, and Other Losses, Collins, 2002
Kaufman, Julie, Crossing the Rubicon;Celebrating the Human-Animal Bond in Life and Death, Xenophon Pubns,1999
Kay, T., To Dance With the White Dog, Washington Square Press, 1990
Kay, W., et al, Pet Loss and Human Bereavement, Iowa State University Press, 1984
Books by Kelleher and Lawrence, Spirit Dogs: Heroes In Heaven, Owl of Athene, 1998
Spirit Dogs: Life Between Lives, Owl of Athene Press, 2005King, Veleba, and Quintana, It's Okay to Cry, K & K Communications, 2000
Kolb, Janice Gray, Compassion for All Creatures, Blue Dolphin Publishing,1997
Books by Kowalski, Gary, Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet, New World Library 2006
The Bible According to Noah: Theology As If Animals Mattered, Lantern Books, 2001The Souls of Animals by Gary Kowalski, Tom Regan, and John Robbins , New World Library, 2007Kubler-Ross, Elizabeth, On Death and Dying, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1969 (a classic!)
Books by: Kurz, Gary, Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates, Cold Noses,1997
Cold Noses At the Pearly Gates II - Examining More Evidence, 2001Lee, Laura and Lee, Martyn, Absent Friend: Coping with the Loss of a Treasured Pet, Ringpress Books, 2000
Lemieux, Christina M., Coping with the Loss of a Pet: A Gentle Guide for All Who Love a Pet, Wallace R. Clark Publisher, 1988
Books by Professor Reverend Andrew Linzey of Oxford Animal Ethics
After Noah: Animals And the Liberation of Theology Animal GospelAnimal Rites: Liturgies of Animal CareAnimal Rights: A Historical Anthology by Andrew Linzey and Paul Barry Clarke Animal rights: A Christian assessment of man's treatment of animals by Andrew LinzeyAnimal TheologyAnimals and Christianity: A Book of ReadingsAnimals and the Law Animals on the Agenda: Questions About Animals for Theology and Ethics by Dorothy Yamamoto and Andrew Linzey Christianity and the Rights of AnimalsCompassion for Animals Love the Animals: Meditations and Prayers by Andrew Linzey and Tom ReganOn God and Dogs: A Christian Theology of Compassion for Animals by Stephen H. Webb (Professor Linzey has written many other books as well.)Luchenbach, A Kingdom of Heart: A Pet Loss Journal, Spiritual Living Press, 2005
Lyons, Christine, and Schaefer, Dan, Ph.D., A Step-by-Step Guide for Helping Children Two to Teen Cope When Someone Dies, Newmarket Press, (1993)
Newmarket Press, (1993)Books by McElroy, Susan Chernak., Animals as Teachers & Healers, NewSage Press, 1996
Animals as Guides for the Soul: Stories of Life-Changing Encounters, Wellspring/Ballantine; 1999 Animal Grace: Entering a Spiritual Relationship With Our Fellow Creatures, with Mary Lou Randour, New World Library; 2002McClinton, James, Paw Prints in Heaven?: Christians and Pet Loss, iUniverse, Inc., 2004
Milani, Preparing for the Loss of Your Pet: Saying Goodbye with Love, Dignity, and Peace of Mind, Prima Lifestyles,1998
Messerli, Murchison, Heavenly Creatures The Story of God's Love for His Animals and All of Creation. Boaz and Ruth Publishing Co,2005
Books by Montgomery, M. and Montgomery, H., A Final Act of Caring: Ending the Life of An Animal Friend, Montgomery Press, 1993
Forever In My Heart: Remembering My Pet's Life, Lippincott, 2000Neiburg, H., et al, Pet Loss: A Thoughtful Guide for Adults and Children, Harper and Row, 1982
Orzeck, Richard, Sometimes It Breaks Your Heart, Purrfect Love Publishing, 2000
Pasick, Robert, Conversations with My Old Dog: For Anyone Who Has Ever Loved and Lost a Pet, Hazelden, 2000
Peterson, Linda Mary, Surviving the Heartbreak of Choosing Death for Your Pet, Greentree Publishing, 1997
Books by Pomerance, Diane, PhD:
Animal Companions: Your Friends, Teachers & Guides by Diane, Polaire Pubns, 2003Animal Companions, In Our Hearts, Our Lives and Our World, Polaire Publications, 2004Animal Elders: Caring About Our Aging Animal Companions, Polaire Publications, 2005Quackenbush and Graveline, When Your Pet Dies: How to Cope With Your Feelings, Simon & Schuster,1985
Quintana, M.L., Veleba, S.L., & King, H., It's Okay to Cry: Warm, Compassionate Stories that Help You Find Hope and Healing After the Death of a Beloved Pet, K & K Communications, (1998)
Randour, Mary Lou, Ph.D., Animal Grace: Entering a Spiritual Relationship with Our Fellow Creatures, New World Library, 2002
Reynolds, Rita M, Blessing the Bridge: What Animals Teach Us About Death, Dying , and Beyond, New Sage Press, 2001
Ross and Sorenson, Pet Loss and Human Emotion: A Guide to Recovery, Brunner-Routledge, 2007
Rudner, Ruth, Ask Now The Beasts, Marlowe & Company, May 2006
Schaefer, D. & Lyons, C., How Do You Tell the Children: A Step-by-Step Guide for Helping Children Two to Teen , Newmarket Press, Updated edition, November 1993
Sheridan, Kim, Animals and the Afterlife: True Stories of Our Best Friends' Journey Beyond Death, Hay House, 2006
Shover, Pet Loss, Trafford Publishing, 2006
Sife, Wallace, The Loss of a Pet: A Guide to Coping With The Grieving Process When a Pet Dies, MacMillan Pub. Howell Book House, (1998)
Slifkin, Natan, Man and Beast: Our Relationships with Animals in Jewish Law and Thought, Zoo Torah, 2006
Smith, Kimberly, Healing the Pain of Pet Loss: Letters in Memoriam, Charles Press Pubs,1997
Smith, Scott. S., The Soul of Your Pet: Evidence for the Survival of Animals After Death, Holmes Publishing Group;1998
Spork, Patricia, Loss Comfort & Healing From Animal Sightings: True Experiences of Animal On PDF:www.booklocker.com/books/1515.html
Stern, Michael, Loving and Losing a Pet: A Psychologist and a Veterinarian Share Their Wisdom, Jason Aronson, 1998
Stuparyk, Emily Margaret, When Only the Love Remains: The Pain of Pet Loss, Hushion House Publishing, 2000
Surman, Richard, Dog Collar: Inspiring Stories of Clergy and Their Dogs, Trafalgar Square, 2007
Swendson, Penny's From Heaven (about a therapy dog), Langmarc Publishing, 2006
Toperoff,Shlomo P., The Animal Kingdom in Jewish Thought, Jason Aronson, 1995
Tousley, Final Farewell: Preparing for & Mourning the Loss of Your Pet, Our Pals Publishing, 1997
Traisman, E., My Personal Pet Remembrance Journal, Direct Book Services, (800) 776-2665, 1996
Tuzeo-jarolmen, JoAnn, When A Family Pet Dies, Kingsley Publishers, 2006
Wagner, Teresa L., Legacies of Love, A Gentle Guide to Healing from the Loss of Your Animal Loved One [AUDIOBOOK] (Audio Cassette), Matters of the Heart; 1998
Wakefield, Dan, Praying With Katie, by Don Holt. Copyright Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2001
Walker, The Heart That Is Loved Never Forgets: Recovering from Loss: When Humans and Animals Lose Their Companions, Healing Arts Press, 1998
Watson, George and Emily, DOGS HAVE SOULS TOO: The Spirit of Miss Sarah, PMD Publishing, 2000
Webb, Do Pets and Other Animals Go to Heaven? How to Recover From the Loss of an Animal Friend, BriteBooks, 2002
Webb and Linzey, On God and Dogs: A Christian Theology of Compassion for Animals, Oxford University Press, 2002
Weil, Pet Loss Meditations, Authorhouse, 2005
Willis, Jim, How to Roar: Pet Loss Grief Recovery, Lulu Press, Inc., 2005
Wilson, Teri All Creatures of Our God and King: What God’s Word Says About Animals Eden Publications LLC, 2007 www.teriwilson.net
Wolfelt, Alan D. When Your Pet Dies, Companion Press, 2004
Books on Interfaith and Multi-faith studies and World Religions
(Note: The instructor is open to other suggestions of titles written from a respectful interfaith perspective on the topic of comparative world religions.)
Beaver, R. Pierce, Handbook to the World’s Religions, Eerdman's Publishing Co, 1982
Breuilly, O'Brien, Palmer, Religions of the World, Transedition Limited and Fernleigh Books, 1997
Forward, Martin, Inter-religious Dialogue: A Short Introduction, 2001
God Squad, Gellman, Rabbi Marc, and Hartman, Monsignor Thomas, Religion For Dummies, For Dummies, 2002
Janis, Sharon, Spirituality For Dummies, For Dummies, 2000
Oman Shannon, Maggie, The Way We Pray, Conari Press, Berkeley Press, 2001
Renard, John, The Handy Religion Answer Book, Visible Ink, Detroit, 2002
Richards, Chris, Editor, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of World Religions, Element, 1997
Books by: Smith, Houston, The World's Religions: An Illustrated Guide to Origins, Beliefs, Traditions, and Festivals, Harper, San Fransisco, Any Edition is fine
Fransisco, Any Edition is fineThe World's Religions: Our Great Wisdom Traditions (Paperback) Harper San Francisco, 1991Why Religion Matters: The Fate of the Human Spirit in an Age of Disbelief, Harper San Francisco, 2001Forgotten Truth: The Common Vision of the World's Religions, Harper San Francisco,1992Toropov, Brandon and Buckles, Father Luke, The Complete Idiot's Guide to World Religions, Beach Brook Productions, 2002
White, Gail Coloquitt, Believers and Beliefs, Berkeley Books, New York, 1997
