Greenfield Member Creates Ministry Partnership… with Her Dog
They’re an unlikely pair: a seventy-six-year-old woman with a cochlear implant and shoulder replacement and a large shaggy dog weighing almost as much as she does. It all began with a sermon given by John Davis (pastor of Greenfield Christian Church) more than four years ago.
Children rush up to pet Reggie before the service when Judy Brown and her therapy dog come for the children’s moment.
Pastor Davis’ text is Matthew 14:25-31. “Before Peter could walk on water,” he says, “he had to get out of the boat. And if you are going to serve God, you’ve got to get out of the boat . . .Think about what you enjoy doing, what you’re good at, and figure out how you can do that for the Lord.” He continues, “But you’ve got to get out of the boat.”
Herb and Judy Brown are listening. Both are enjoying the freedom of retirement, but Judy is wondering “Isn’t there more to retirement than this?” With experience training family pets, she has often thought it would be challenging and rewarding to train and work with a therapy dog. But there has never been a right time to make the huge commitment in time, money and effort. Now for the first time she considers a therapy dog as a ministry. Pastor Davis’ phrase “You’ve got to get out of the boat” sticks to her mind, as Judy says, “like beggar lice to wool socks.”
A few days later she stops by the church to discuss the possibilities of a therapy dog ministry with Pastor Davis. He practically jumps out of his chair with enthusiasm. “You’ve got to do it,” he exclaims. Her husband, Herb, is harder to sell, but he too becomes a strong and supportive silent partner in the project.
Reggie and Judy are now registered Delta Society Pet Partners (therapy dog team). Together they visit Hancock Regional Hospital every week and Springhurst Health Care Campus bi-weekly. The unique part of their work is a ministry with the children and youth at Greenfield Christian Church. Judy incorporates Reggie (a Giant Schnoodle) in stories for the “Children’s Moment” and in the message for Youth Worship once a month.
“Reggie captures the children’s attention,” Judy explains, “and illustrates key points in the story. By connecting the story to what Reggie does, the children seem to remember the object of the story better.”
The most recent aspect of the Pet Partner’s ministry is a web site where they share the details of their journey and a collection of stories Judy has written for the children and youth at Greenfield Christian Church. To learn more about the ministry of Judy and Reggie, go to www.therapydogministry.org.
I recently visited the Greenfield Christian Church,
where my son, daughter-in-law and grandsons attend,
and was delighted with Judy and Reggie. They are
a wonderful team. P.S. My son in Jim Peters, wife:
Lorinda; Grandson: Alex and Eric Peters.
Jerri Peters
October 27, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Judy and Reggie:
I was delighted to read your story. My wife, Mardell, has been a dog lover for years and whenever she reads such stories as yours she is thrilled. God bless you for sharing. Rev.Paul Remick
Paul Remick
October 28, 2009 at 9:31 am
Judy is such a delightful person and sharing Reggie with the children is wonderful. My 3-year old great-granddaughter always asks if Reggie is going to be at church. Even when she knows that Reggie will not be there for the children’s sermon, she looks around the church just in case Reggie is there for Youth Worship. Thanks Judy for sharing one of your God-given talents with the children who also love you.
Pat Elmore
November 4, 2009 at 9:41 pm