CAPTION: The service was planned to be as relaxing as possible for dog owners. Photos: Lynn Buckley
Devon Vicar Leads Dog-Friendly Christmas Carol Service

Humans and dogs alike were encouraged to wear Christmas jumpers.
A dog-friendly carol service, aimed at making dog-owners feel welcome with their pets, has taken place outdoors in Newton Abbot town centre.
The service was organised by the town council, local Anglican churches and the charity Animals in Distress, which received all proceeds from the event.
The service was led by Rev’d Gareth Regan, Team Vicar in the Newton Abbot Mission Community, who wasn’t the only one in a dog collar!
Over 60 people attended, including many dog owners who might not normally feel comfortable attending indoor services at Christmas with their pets.
Rev’d Gareth said: “We couldn’t have put on the service without the collaboration between the churches, council and Animals in Distress.

Despite the cold weather, over 60 people attended the service.
“This is what the church is here to do, to be out in the community. We had lots of people walking past coming to see what was going on.”
“We wanted to make it the lowest stress possible for dog owners, and for people to interact with the Christmas story in a really positive way.”
“We don’t want owning a dog to be a barrier for anyone coming to church.”
Animals in Distress is a South Devon charity based in Ipplepen, which cares for, and rehomes, over 600 homeless, lost and abandoned pets every year.
Rev’d Gareth spoke in his sermon about the unconditional love pets have for their owners and the unconditional love God has for us.

Carols were especially chosen to keep the four-legged guests calm.
The service also featured Bible readings and prayers, including from the Mayor, Cllr Carol Bunday and the Town Development Manager Sally Henley, as well as a performance by close harmony choir Forte.
Lynn Buckley, a member of Abbotsbury Church said, “There was no shortage of pooches and although the weather was chilly, there were smiles all round!”
“It was a bit crazy in the best possible way with a good turnout to hear the Good News!”

Rev’d Gareth Regan spoke about the bond between pets and their owners.
Rev’d Gareth also reflected on the carol service being one of the ways churches are trying to bring the hope of Christmas to the local community during this difficult winter.
He said: “Walking through the town centre, speaking to people on Sunday after church, doing schools work, in all those places we’re seeing how difficult life is at the moment.”
“I think Christmas time is the time to bring a story of hope, I believe passionately in a God who can change lives.”
“That’s the story we want to share with people who might not hear from us normally, that there is hope, and if we work together we can see that happen in our town.”
For more info about Animals in Distress, visit their website.
Find out what else is going on in the Newton Abbot Mission Community here.