This bearded dragon came to Pet Blessing dressed to impress in a tiny tuxedo. Photos by Penh Alicandro ’22
Eckerd’s annual Pet Blessing invited students and their pets to join Spiritual Life and Pet Life in Hough Quad on Oct. 2.
These honorary students with paws, scales or fur were blessed by Rev. Robert Galloway, the
director of the Center for Spiritual Life and chaplain. Eckerd has welcomed pets since 1973 and is ranked among the top colleges in the nation for pet-friendliness by Good Morning America, The Independent, and College Raptor; Eckerd pets have also been featured in The Wall Street Journal.
“All faiths share in a love for animals and creatures of this earth,” Galloway said at the event. “Animals have helped us understand the divine, our faith, and how we relate to the universe.”
Students stepped up to be blessed after Galloway’s opening remarks and prayer. Dogs, cats, reptiles and rodents were given species-appropriate snacks afterward, from baby carrots to dog treats.
Rev. Robert Galloway (right) scratches the back of Chipsie’s (left, covered in black fur) neck after Chipsie was a good boy while receiving the blessing.
Chipsie, a 12-year-old flat-coated retriever, was the first pet to arrive at the blessing. She received a flurry of attention from students, staff, and Eckerd College President Jim Annarelli.
Her owner is Adrianna Rodriguez, a junior biology major from Palm Harbor, Florida. Adrianna is pet care chair of Pet Life and a veterinary technician at Hope and Love Veterinary Hospital in Largo. Being on a pet-friendly campus is special to her, both for professional interests and personal enjoyment.
Eckerd College President Jim Annarelli greets Chipsie, the first pet to receive a blessing that the 2026 Pet Blessing.
“It’s something that I think is really special about Eckerd and it shouldn’t be taken for granted,” Adrianna says.
Chipsie is social and loves attention—more so from people, rather than other dogs, Adrianna clarifies.
Jasmine Finley, a junior animal studies major from Miami, Florida, brought her veiled chameleon, Rangorita, to receive a blessing for the first time.
“She has some sass to her,” says Jasmine of Rangorita, who is one and a half years old.
Other beloved pets were brought up to Galloway for a blessing. Cats were taken out of their carriers and a hamster watched in anticipation from its clear hamster ball.
“May your creator bless you and keep you. May you and your family continue to be a source of love and joy to one another. May God’s love surround you today and always,” Galloway said to each animal.
Rev. Galloway offers a scared cat a treat to bring it serenity during the 2026 Pet Blessing.
Though Galloway joined Eckerd’s campus this year, this was not his first pet blessing. The last one he did was in Raleigh, North Carolina, at a church. He recalls there being golden doodles and two goats.
“This is a tradition that kind of crosses faith boundaries,” Galloway says.
Pet blessings are primarily Judeo-Christian, Galloway says, but all major religions have some form of it, or their texts command humans to respect and care for animals and all creations.
Though he is a cat person, Galloway was excited to connect with dogs and the more exotic pets of Eckerd.
When Galloway first learned about pet blessings, he learned about the ties to agricultural communities blessing animals that were essential to their livelihood, which guides how he frames his own blessings.
“Pets are essential for our lives, for our happiness and contribute so much to our success, especially for our students,” Galloway says.
