Animal Clergy Training (ACT) Course
Details, requirements and syllabus
Overview of Requirements
Any ordained member of the clergy or other religious leader is eligible to enroll in our Animal Clergy Training course. We do not ordain clergy, offer licensure in any occupation, or give college credit. We offer this course as a background for work in Animal Ministry and to increase skills in being community Animal Chaplains. Congregations, community groups, animal-related non-profits and veterinary associations can use this course in conjunction with their own programs, or for training volunteers in Animal Ministry.
Upon completion of our program, graduates will receive:
- a Dipoloma indicating graduation of the Animal Clergy Training course (Ordained clergy Diplomas will read "Animal Chaplain". All others will be listed as "Animal Ministry Leader".)
- listing as an independent Animal Chaplain in your area, and graduate of the ACT Course, on this website
- contact information for other independent Animal Clergy practitioners, for purposes of fellowship, professional support and networking
- a wallet Identification card, and automobile visor placard, as a certified graduate of the Animal Clergy Training Course
Graduation Requirements are listed below:
- Demonstrate your compassion for animals and humans by volunteering 16 clock hours at a veterinary center, animal rescue, animal shelter, animal sanctuary or zoo.
- Explain your interest and ability to serve others non-judgmentally, through a written application and pledge of service.
- Reading of required materials, with a brief written reaction to each.
- Phone interview with instructor.
- Proof of your ordination, if you are ordained. (If you are not already ordained and you are interested in becoming an Interfaith Minister, please contact one of the groups that are listed at the bottom of this page. You may be enrolled in our course before, during or after being enrolled in other programs for ordainment. If you choose not to take it as a member of the Clergy, you will be given the title of "Animal Ministry Leader".)
- Payment of $95 application fee to cover the cost of processing your application and course requirements, the internet listing and graduation documents.
Tuition
The total cost of tuition for the Animal Clergy Training course offered by Animal Chaplain Nancy Cronk is $95. I am sorry, no credit cards will be accepted. The application fee is NONREFUNDABLE, unless your application is not accepted by us (that is very unlikely). All books and other training materials must be purchased separately by the student.
Specific Course Requirements and Syllabus
- Complete the application and email it to animalclergy@aol.com and use the Paypal button on this website to send your $95 fee. Or, you can send them both by regular mail to our mailbox at Caring Corner / Interfaith Officiants 5846 S. Ensenada St., Aurora, CO 80015. You will receive notification by email when your application has been received and accepted. You can then begin work on your coursework, using the course requirement sheet found on this website. Students must arrange their own volunteer arrangements and mentoring within their denomination/ spiritual community. Coursework must be completed and turned in to the same address within one calendar year of the application being recieved.
Syllabus
- Choose any six books from the first list (children's books), and
- choose any three books from the second list (for adults), and
- choose any three books from the last list (Interfaith, Multi-faith and World Religions).
After reading each book, you will be asked to write a brief statement about the book. See the Course Requirements page for instructions.
Note: Other similar books may be substituted with permission. Please let the instructor know at animalclergy@aol.com if you have any other reading list suggestions. Thank-you.
All legal ordination sources will be accepted to become an Animal Chaplain.
Ordinations are accepted from the following religious bodies, in addition to all larger traditional religous institutions. It is incumbent upon the student to ascertain whether or not their religious affiliation allows them to perform Animal Ministry services in their community. Anyone (teachers, congregation leaders, religious education directors, etc.) may take the Course on Animal Clergy Training, to become an Animal Ministries Leader.
Don't belong to a traditional, large, mainline church or synagogue? The following is a partial list of Interfaith, nondenominational and secular ordination, training, and education organizations listed on the internet: The All Faith Seminary, The New Seminary, The Modern Rabbi Program, The United InterFaith Institute, The Unitarian-Universalist Association, Unity, The One Spirit Learning Alliance, The Interfaith Seminary, The Center for Spiritual Enlightenment, The Humanist Institute, The Ethical Culture Society, Universal Ministries, The Universal Life Church, Spiritual Humanism, Lakeshore Interfaith Institute, Lighthaven Interfaith Seminary, The Chaplaincy Institute, Church of the Seven Planes, The Progressive Universal Life Church, Society for Humanistic Judaism, Universal Seminary, Ecumenical Theological Seminary, Auburn Multi-faith Seminary, Rose Ministries, Temple of Earth, Humanist Ministry, College of Metaphysical Studies, Universal University, Ordination.US, Unity Institute Online, The Holmes Institute, 43 Things, United Christian Faith Ministries, St. Luke Evangelical, Newburgh Seminary, The Monastery, Seraphim Center Seminary, New Life Ministries, Center for Ministerial Studies / The Love Church, United Communities of Spirit, Spiritual United Interfaith, Northern Way, Many Paths Ministry, American Institue of Holistic Theology, Emerson Theological Institute, Celebrants USA, Celebrancy.com, The Humanist Society of Friends, Perform Weddings.com, World Christian Ministries, ClassesUSA.com, Invitation To Christ, Victory Bible Institute, Christian Glory Church, God's Living Word Ministry, Trinity-Edu, Victory Bible Institute, or others.
Note: Each of the above organizations are not affiliated with Interfaith Officiants.com or Interfaith Animal Clergy. Interfaith Officiants does not endorse or prefer any one seminary over another.
