At first it would seem like just any other Sunday service at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on Elm Street Oct. 6, until the paws began to peak out from the pews and the hounds let out a few harmonizing notes with the hymns.

Pets and stuffed animals were invited to the church’s service for an extra special blessing to celebrate Saint Francis of Assisi, who is the patron saint of “all creations,” according to Reverend Scott Ciosek. 

The saint earned himself this title by seeing God in all creatures, Ciosek said. 

Born into a wealthy family in the small Italian village of Assisi in 1182, Ciosek told the story of how Francis turned away a beggar before having a change of heart that would change him and reaffirm his faith in God.

Francis, much to his father’s dismay, began to give away everything, dedicating his life to serving the poor, Ciosek said. Then one day, Francis came face to face with a leper, which was someone afflicted with leprosy. 

Though he wanted to turn away, “something more happened with his heart,” Ciosek said. “He embraced the leper. He kissed the leper, and for him, at that moment, Francis recognized that that was Christ.”

Visiting Assisi twice in his life, Ciosek said, “You can still sense the peace in that village — of all of creation and all of the animals as they just walk around [and] come up to you rather easily.”

Following the reverend's remarks, and a bit of commentary from the pups, attendees lined up with their pets for the blessing. 

Claudia Settele brought along a little stuffed lamb named May because she’s “a lamb of God,” Settele said.

In regard to the blessing as a whole, she said, “This is a wonderful service. It's just absolutely bringing so many families together who are bringing their pets here to get blessed on this beautiful day.”