OCTOBER 11

At the OBX Presbyterian Church, a day to pray for pets

By Maggie Miles | Outer Banks Voice on September 30, 2026

Craig Peele and his Chihuahua Boston Terrier mix JoJo. (Photo courtesy of Nonie Booth)

By Maggie Miles | Outer Banks Voice

Craig Peele and his late wife Fran adopted their dog JoJo, a Chihuahua/Boston Terrier mix, after he was found wandering the streets of Kitty Hawk about seven years ago. JoJo was a loyal source of unconditional love to Craig and Fran.

As he has done for the past several years, Peele will take JoJo to the Annual Blessing of the Animals at Outer Banks Presbyterian Church on Oct. 11—a family-friendly event where pets from the community receive for a special blessing from the church’s pastor.

“When my wife died, all that love and support was transferred just to me,” said Peele, 89, who now lives at Spring Arbor. He picks up JoJo from his daughter’s house every morning and takes the pet back to spend the day with him.

“I want to do anything that would preserve his life longer because I need him,” Peele said. “I think the Blessing of the Animals is one way I can, number one, say thank you, and number two, open him to God’s love and grace.”

On Oct. 11, the Outer Banks Presbyterian Church will hold its fifth Blessing of the Animals event. Attendees may bring any pet or a picture of a beloved pet and donations of pet food to support the SPCA and food pantry. The non-denominational service includes individual blessings, Saint Francis medals for pet owners, refreshments, and animal treats.

The birthday of Saint Francis of Assisi, who is considered the patron saint of animals, is in October, which is why the event is held that month, according to Nonie Booth, event coordinator and chair of the church’s worship committee.

Blessing of the Animals services are held at multiple churches across the county, including St. Andrew’s By-The-Sea in Nags Head on Oct. 4. The event has become common enough within the Presbyterian church that it added a formal animal-blessing service to its 2018 Book of Common Worship, which is the sixth official service book published for North American Presbyterians and the primary liturgical guide for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). PC(USA) 2018 Book of Common Worship now available | Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

“It was just something that we’d been wanting to do for quite a while,” said Booth of her church’s initiative. “I think it was just an event that we could invite the community to [as a way] to have a presence in the community other than church on Sunday morning that might appeal to people in another way.”

According to Booth, the service is informal, lasts about an hour and can move indoors in poor weather. So far, they’ve had mostly dogs and a few cats attend the event, but Booth says any kind of pet is welcome.

“I’m waiting for the first snake to show up,” she noted.

Master Patrol Officer Steven Gulledge and K9 Zar. (Photo courtesy of Nonie Booth)

A short, non-denominational liturgy opens the service, then pet owners come forward with their animals and Minister Peter Atkinson gives each one an individual blessing. Last year, 35 people attended, which included participation from the Kill Devil Hills police canine unit. Booth says since their church is located at 907 S Croatan Hwy. in Kill Devil Hills, the police department’s support meant a lot.

“I’ve gone to the Blessing of the Animals every year it’s been held, as long as Zar and I have been available,” said Master Patrol Officer Steven Gulledge, handler of K9 Zar. “It’s always a great experience for handlers and for the K9s. These dogs work right alongside us every day and ask for nothing in return, so it’s nice to have a day where they get a little recognition too. The support we get from the community is always great to see.”

Craig Peele recalled walking up to the pastor during the service, handing JoJo to him and watching the pastor hold the dog and place his hand over it to say the prayer.

“It’s a moving kind of thing because you know we’re used to pastors praying for people, but pastors praying for dogs is news,” said Peele. “It made me feel loved, cared for to think the dog who meant so much to me and Fran was being acknowledged and made center stage for a moment or two with the clergy in charge of our church.”