After two years on hold because of Covid-19, Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens will once again host its annual Blessing of the Pets and Remembrance Ceremony. The ceremony, which is open to people and pets of all faiths, will honor our pet companions both past and present. In addition to pets that attend, pet parents are welcome to bring photos of their pets who have passed so that they too will be remembered with a blessing. The ceremony will include a special tribute to all service K-9s. The event will conclude with the dedication of the Dulaney Valley Pet Loss Center. Pastor Nick Skinner will officiate. WBAL-TV reporter Tommie Clark will serve as emcee.
Date: Saturday, October 22, 2022
Time: 10:00 A.M.
Format:
- Blessing of the pets ceremony officiated by Pastor Nick Skinner.
- Celebration of Life for pets who have passed will feature a bubble release.
- Tribute to Police K-9s who have passed away within the last two years.
- Demo by the Baltimore County Police K-9 Unit.
- A tree will be planted as a living memorial to all pets and to dedicate the new Dulaney Valley Pet Loss Center. A dedication plaque will be unveiled.
- The Crisis Response Canines will be honored.
- Refreshments and gift.
- In honor of Dulaney Valley’s 55th anniversary of providing pet services to the community, attendees will have a chance to win a $55.00 gift certificate to the pet store of their choice.
- Event is free and open to the public.
- Rain or shine.
Overview:
“We are pleased to be hosting the Pet Blessing ceremony this year after the hiatus brought on by the pandemic,” said Jack Mitchell, President of Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. “The ceremony has always held a special place in our hearts as we recognize the powerful and genuine bond that exists between people and their pets.”
“When we started our Pet Blessing event, we found that many of the families who brought their pets to the ceremony also brought photos or mementoes of their beloved pets who had passed away so that their memory could be blessed as well. That began our tradition of extending the ceremony to honor and remember all pets,” added Jack Mitchell.
Special guest Coleen Ellis, a nationally recognized author and expert on the role of pets in our lives and pet loss, will talk about the unbreakable bond between people and their pets, and lead a bubble release as part of the remembrance component of the ceremony. A tree will be planted as a living memorial to all pets and to dedicate the Dulaney Valley Pet Loss Center. The event will include a tribute to Baltimore County police K-9s, mounted units and fire service K-9s who serve our community. Also attending will be the Crisis Response Canines and the Jarrettsville Young Marines. Singer/Songwriter Jon Wikstrom will perform. In addition, Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens will make a donation to the non-profit Crisis Response Canines.
Participants:
- Emcee is Tommie Clark, WBAL-TV
- Coleen Ellis, Author, and Pet Loss Pioneer
- Singer/Songwriter Jon Wikstrom
- Baltimore County Police Department K-9 Unit
- Crisis Response Canines
- Jarrettsville Young Marines
Location:
Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens, 200 E. Padonia Road, Timonium, MD. Upon entering the main gate, head to the right and up the hill to the northeast corner of the cemetery.
Note:
For the well-being of all, please use a leash or carrier, as appropriate.
Information:
410-666-0490, www.dulaneyvalley.com
History of Pet Services:
2022 marks the 55th anniversary of Dulaney Valley’s first pet memorial garden. The latest addition is the Dulaney Valley Pet Loss Center.
Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens has been serving families in Maryland since 1958. As requests for dignified resting places for beloved pets continued to grow, Dulaney Valley extended its memorial care to include the pet members of the family. In 1967, their first pet memorial garden, Pet Haven, was established. Since then, two more gardens were added: the Pet Sanctuary and Faithful Friends. The latest addition to their pet memorial services is the Dulaney Valley Pet Loss Center. Located adjacent to the Pet Sanctuary in the northeast corner of the cemetery, the Pet Loss Center is a new full-service aftercare pet facility and funeral home. Developed with input from nationally recognized expert on the topic of pet loss and bereavement, Coleen Ellis, the center provides comprehensive pet loss services in one location. Built around a model of grief support, the Dulaney Valley Pet Loss Center offers dignified transport, cremation, funeral services, burial arrangements, and memorial items.