Welcome! I am Jill Sajec, founder of Wolf Moon Spiritual Care. I have been offering spiritual support for over 20 years. In 2016 I felt a call to chaplaincy, and began graduate studies to pursue that career. In 2020 I completed a course in Clinical Pastoral Education, and was forever changed. My field work was in a hospital setting. While I loved being part of the care team for those that were in health crisis, I knew I did not want to work full time in a hospital setting.

In 2024, my husband and I had to make the decision to euthanize our beloved, 16 year old, Jack Russel- Beagle mix, Jack. He was aged. He was sick, and it was time. We took him to the emergency veterinary clinic nearest our house, and the entire staff was very compassionate, helpful, and caring for the whole process. I was stunned, and winded by the grief that I felt for saying goodbye to such an integral part of our lives.

A few months after, I began wondering if there were chaplains who attended to veterinary settings…here is where my call began. There are some veterinary/animal chaplains, but very few. It is a newer field, and, in my opinion, an essential one. The animal-human bond is one that is beyond words. It is an embodied experience that has immense power in our lives, and the animals we love and care for.
In my field work at the hospital, the Spiritual Care department was considered part of the whole care team, along with doctors, nurses, social workers, etc. Chaplains were included in medical decisions and called upon in all emergency arrivals, births, and other patient and support staff needs. A patient could refuse to see a chaplain, but Chaplains were included in all aspects of care. The full healing and well-being of a patient included Spiritual Care along with the physical care.

When I think about how necessary spiritual care is to human health (no matter religious affiliation or not), I believe it is necessary for animal healing and health as well, particularly for the animal-human bond. My role as a Spiritual Care provider is to be with animals an their care-takers (owners, veterinarians, shelter workers & volunteers) during times of health distress, loss, and grief. A chaplain also offers support for compassion fatigue, and processing and being with difficult decisions and circumstances that can arise while caring for animals. I have a very high, sacred view of animals and our relationship to and with them. I believe spiritual care is for all beings, and I am happy to offer my skills, gifts, and presence to assist in our animal-human relationships.

Credentials:

Member of the American Association of Veterinary Chaplains
Masters of Divinity - George Fox University