Pal’s Inn Pet Resort director of operations Tracy Rothstein believes in promoting the sanctity of life…humans and animals.

“I believe there is a part of God in everything in the world. That is my personal belief,” said Rothstein.

He is a trained and certified animal chaplain whose One Spirit Animal Ministry provides spiritual support for animals and their families. Rothstein said he is the only animal chaplain in town and one of about five in the state.

He will bless animals, perform last rites, conduct animal memorial services and provide bereavement counseling to pet owners.

The death of a pet can be as emotionally devastating for an individual or family as the grief for another human being, observed Rothstein.

“Some people have the tendency to say ‘it’s only a dog….it’s only a cat, but to some individuals these are their kids. They are their furry, four-legged, feathered children and it can be as devastating a loss as that of a human,” he said.

Rothstein first learned about the animal chaplaincy certificate program at Emerson Theological Institute.

The idea originated with Ahwatukee Foothills residents Kris and Craig Haley. They had worked with animal advocate groups for years and thought their animals and all animals they met possessed a spirit.

They became aware that people often have a very spiritual connection with their pets but that connection isn’t often officially recognized by churches.

When Rothstein researched the program, he said “It called to me.” One of the spiritual exercises was to visit an animal shelter and connect to an animal not normally in his environment.

“For me, it was a snake. That’s an animal that I would not normally gravitate to,” he added.

Rothstein said he spent an hour in prayer with the snake to “look for God-like qualities in it.”

The former dog trainer and restaurant manager combined skills that he developed in the two jobs to qualify as the operations manager of Pal’s Inn Pet Resort. The business opened nearly six years ago.

Rothstein and his wife own seven dogs and two cats. A china cabinet in their Mesa home displays photos of their animals “that have transitioned” and pays tribute to them.

He will pray with an animal grieving for another animal or human being.

“Pets grieve, too, over the loss of their brothers and sisters,” said Rothstein.

The three-module program includes grief support for pet owners. Rothstein said he will talk a pet owner through options when a pet is ill. He will pray for the animal and provide spiritual support to the pet owner.

He is starting a monthly one-hour animal grief support group this month. The first session is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at Pal’s Inn, 11669 N. Saguaro Blvd.

Rothstein also is available for pet blessings and would officiate at memorial services.

He recently prayed for one of his injured pets and provided pain medication.

“He was limping. Now he is as bouncy as he has ever been. Could it be prayer? Yes. Could it be the pain meds? Yes. Or a combination of both?”

He accepts donations for his services but has no set fees: “I would never want someone not to call me because of money. They can give me whatever they feel it was worth. It’s not my work. It’s God’s.”

Rothstein can be contacted at 282-7247.