A new ministry at a north DeKalb church is reaching out to more than just people.

The St. Martin’s in the Fields Church, on Ashford Dunwoody Road near Dunwoody, has launched the St. Francis Pet Ministry —giving people the chance to get the family pet involved in their church life.

“For most people, pets are a very important part of the family,” said St. Francis Pet Ministry co-chair Ingrid Siegert, who also serves as the organist and choir director for St. Martin’s in the Fields Church. “Churches usually focus on people and their relationships to God. We’re giving people a chance to include their pets in their church life.”

The ministry functions like other church programs.

Pet owners can submit prayer requests for ailing animals and receive comfort after losing a dear pet.

The ministry program has monthly meetings that include special guests, usually a pet training expert, which focus on training pets to be therapy animals.

Ms. Siegert said she is working to launch a pet therapy program to visit hospitals and nursing homes as part of the ministry.

So far, the ministry has received a good response, Ms. Siegert said.

She said the ministry’s events draw about 40 attendees and their pets.

“We’re getting a good response from the whole community,” she said.

“People have heard about us and they are looking for something to do their pets in a church setting.”

The ministry got its start in late 2009 after St. Martin’s annual pet blessing ceremony in October.

The feast day for St. Francis, the patron saint of animals, is Oct. 4.

After attending the ceremony, St. Martin’s member and dog owner Michelle Hall approached church leaders about starting a yearlong pet ministry.

She teamed up with Ms. Siegert to launch the ministry in January.

“There is something about being with animals — it just lights up your day,” Ms. Hall said. “People are looking for a new way to connect.”

The St. Francis Pet Ministry at St. Martin’s in the Fields Church holds monthly events and dog walks at Murphy Candler Park.

For more information about the ministry or to find out about upcoming events visit www.stmartins.org/pet_ministry, call (404) 228-0753 or e-mail petministry@stmartins.org.

All of the events are open to the public.