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Dog church welcomes people and pets

By Lilla Marigza
April 22, 2026 | LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (UM News)

Pinnacle View United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Ark., facilitates a wide variety of pet ministries as a way to connect with the community. Members share stories of how being involved in pet ministry has enriched the life of their church. Video by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Every Sunday morning, a designated dog greeter welcomes people to Pinnacle View United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. Church members are passionate about their own dogs, cats and animals and about pet outreach ministries offered by Pinnacle View. This enthusiasm forms a special bond which is evident when you hear the stories of people who belong to this community of pet people. Lilla Marigza reports for UM News.

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The Rev. Betsy Singleton Snyder, Pinnacle View lead pastor, and Gayle Fiser, director of pet ministries at Pinnacle View, have started pet ministries at four United Methodist churches over the last 20 years. They have written a how-to guide for churches interested in starting a pet ministry. “New Tricks: How Pet Ministry Can Transform Faith Communities and Change Lives” is available through Upper Room Books, Cokesbury and Amazon.

Marigza is a multimedia producer for UM News. Contact her at (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umnews.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.

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