By JEFF GOTTLIEB

Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES

At Covenant Presbyterian Church, dogs like Mr. Booby are welcome at the Sunday night services, where howling and sudden bouts of scratching may interrupt prayers, and the collection plate holds treats for poodles and golden retrievers alike. And the Rev. Tom Eggebeen said he fully understands if some of the congregants need to step outside now and again.

The idea behind the service, Eggebeen said, was to make it more comfortable for people to attend the church, which has 120 members, discounting up to a dozen dogs that generally attend services.

"The heart of the whole thing has been to provide a worship service for the entire family, including the four-footed friends. Their pets are very, very important to them and virtually comprise a member of family," he said. "I wouldn't be in the pulpit on Sunday mornings and say, 'Leave your children home.'"

The dog services are part of a growing movement by churches to recognize the emotional bond between humans and their pets.

Animal blessings, memorial services and grief counseling for the loss of a pet are increasingly common in many denominations.

Covenant is not alone in allowing dogs in church. Underwood Hills Presbyterian Church in Omaha has been holding its Paws for Prayers service since December 2008 but will end the program because of dwindling attendance, both human and animal.

Animal blessings have been held at churches for decades, said Laura Hobgood-Oster, a professor of religion and environmental studies at Southwestern University in Texas.

She said dogs began attending a small number of churches only three or four years ago, but she has found a 19th century newspaper article from a small Texas town that noted well-trained dogs going to church.

Eggebeen said he has received no reaction from the Presbyterian leadership.

"If we were sacrificing chickens, then the hierarchy might respond, but essentially Presbyterian congregations have a great deal of latitude," he said.

Though he has received cards and letters from around the country congratulating him on the dog service, he also has received "some really hateful things."