I don't feel like what I offer should only be available to those with disposible income, especially after those people have likely spent thousands at the vet. I have a gift for counseling the grieving and leading memorials, and I want to use it. This is not to say what I offer is not highly valuable: I've spent years getting the education and credentials I need to do this work, and years after that gaining the experience. I just don't feel right putting a price tag on it.

Two reasons: one, I want to eventually make this my full-time job, and the only way I can do that is if people elect to give out of the goodness of their hearts. Two, it gives grieving pet parents who are financially fortunate the chance to give my services to someone who can't afford them. The more people donate, the more free time I have to help.

Much like the majority of Americans, I work in the corporate world because I have to. That's why being a Pet Chaplain is so vital to my sanity: my life can't amount to "generating shareholder value" until I die. It just can't.

I like working in the church, but the reality is that the denominations I align with (liberal) don't generally understand that unfortunately, churches in a capitalist society muct be run like businesses or they die. (This is something megachurches do understand, but I find their theologies and political stances pretty gross.) Making a living as a full-time minister--at least for me and at this time--isn't feasible. Learn more about my denomination.