Church’s Carol Service Goes to The Dogs For Very Special Christmas Celebration

Dogs of all sizes and breeds crowded the pews and halls of an Irish cathedral for a very special Christmas carol service just for them.

The 2018 annual Peata Therapy Dog Carol Service in Dublin’s Christ Church Cathedral was packed with the canine carolers to celebrate the therapy dogs who help comfort people in caring facilities throughout the city.

The Peata Therapy Dog program is a voluntary organization and the canine carol service has been held every year for the past 16 years in their honor. This year’s turn out was the biggest it’s ever been. But the church noted on their website that all the dogs were all on their best behavior, with only a few friendly barks among the visitors.

The dogs lined the aisles.

The service included singing by the cathedral’s girl choristers, team and mince pies and a pet blessing by the cathedral’s Dean, the Very Revd Dermot Dunne.

Very Revd Dunne made sure to get amongst his canine parishioners for the pet blessing.

One of the Peata Therapy Dogs was all smiles in front of the children’s choir as they sang in the cathedral.

Many people and dogs dressed festively for the occasion.

The collection raised during service benefits the Peata and the Peter McVerry Trust ensuring the therapy dogs’ good work can continue. You can read more about the Peata Therapy Dog program at their website.