As you drive up to The Sanctuary at Lakota Farms, it’s hard to miss the simple 10-foot cross that stands in front of owner and animal lover, Bob McErlean’s ranch. To the right is a small statue of St. Francis. Both are clear signs that animals and creation are honored in this place.

This is the third year that Father Roy Eco of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Clermont is granting the annual pet blessing on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Oct. 4. It began with an invitation from McErlean, who wished to have the roughly 70 horses he rescued blessed, along with the goats, pigs, turkeys, donkeys and other animals there.

McErlean bought the farm six years ago and moved in with his four horses, the first named Lakota. Lakota now “mentors” the rescues, especially those with no training. McErlean said Lakota is his “heart horse,” who “nips, guides, and pushes” the newer horses and watches over them.

Shortly after settling in, a staff member noticed a neighboring farmer moved and abandoned several horses. McErlean and his team took down part of a fence and rescued them. They were “emaciated,” McErlean recalled. At that point, Lakota Farms became a sanctuary for mistreated horses. Although not McErlean’s original plan, he believes it was God’s plan all along.

“God has made me their custodian, their guardian. I don’t know how I do it, but somehow it all falls into place,” McErlean said. “God is great. It’s a mission now.”

Confiding in a friend one day he wasn’t sure he could afford to continue, his friend said, “You don’t ever have to worry about that. You’ll always have it. You might not have it for you, but you’ll always have it for them because you’re protecting God’s creatures.” McErlean said he is honored to be the custodian of such gentle animals.

Tim O’Connor, the farm’s former owner, came to the blessing with his Australian Shepherd, Scout. She is 11 and was born on the farm. O’Connor sold the farm a year after his wife, Mary Frances, passed. He said some of his old animals are buried there so he loves that a priest comes and blesses them every year, including two of the horses born on the farm that still reside there.

“I’m impressed. I see the job Bob has done and the love he gives to all of the animals, and it’s amazing,” he said.

Volunteers help care for the animals and clean stalls. Jennifer Diaz brings her daughter, Isabella, for riding lessons. Finding Niko, an abandoned kitty under the saddle rack meowing, they adopted him. He’s 5 weeks old.

Adriana and John Martin brought their cat, Jasmin, who is 21.

“(Jasmin) is at the end of her lifespan so I want her to have the blessing because we don’t know when the Lord is going to decide to bring her over to the other side,” Adriana said.

Ruben Gómez came with his dogs — a Pomeranian named Suzy and an American Eskimo named Snowy, that is blind from cataracts.

“When a priest blesses me, I feel good. So, when he blesses our pets, I know they’re feeling it. Animals can sense things. I believe that,” Gómez said.

McErlean said the pet blessings makes his land “sacred.” “And people who come out here say that,” he added. “It’s the best compliment I can get. They say, ‘There’s just something about this place. It’s godly.‘

Three years ago when Father Mark Wajda, pastor of Blessed Sacrament, asked parochial vicar, Father Roy Eco to perform the blessing, Father Eco responded enthusiastically. He has since coordinated every event and joyfully come to bless the animals.

Growing up in the Philippines, Father Eco didn’t have much experience with pets, until Father Wajda rescued Maisie, a hound mix from a shelter two years ago.

“Having a pet really opens your eyes to how connected you are in a way that makes the relationship permanent,” Father Eco said. “It’s an eye-opener because pets can read your mind, in a way, and you can relate to them. It is so meaningful because pets are like a brother or sister.”

With a lighthearted laugh, he added, “I sound like St. Francis,” referring to the famous saint’s Canticle of Creation that mentions Brother Sun and Sister Moon.

“(Pets) are so attracted to gentleness,” Father Eco said. “It’s not about power. You have to be very gentle with them. It is something that calms you down. And whenever I play with (Maisie), it’s a lot of joy.”

The crowd braved rain showers and huddled under the portico as Father Eco prayed from the Book of Blessing, “God’s creation inhabit the skies, the earth, and the sea. They share in the fortunes of human existence and have a part in human life. God, who confers his gifts on all living things, has often used the service of animals or made them symbolic reminders of the gifts of salvation. Animals were saved from the flood and afterwards made a part of the covenant with Noah (Gen 9:9-10). The paschal lamb brings to mind the Passover sacrifice and the deliverance from the bondage of Egypt (Exodus 12:3-14); a giant fish saved Jonah (Jonah 2:1-11); ravens brought bread to Elijah (1 Kings 17:6); animals were included in the repentance enjoined on humans (Jonah 3:7).”

He also noted, “animals share in Christ’s redemption for all creation.” Through the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi, he blessed the animals present. He noted they were not only remembering and celebrating pets that day, but also “celebrating the whole world, the universe, because it is the design of God.”

Acknowledging the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’s encyclical, Laudato Si, he closed by quoting from it: “When we can see God reflected in all that exists, our hearts are moved to praise the Lord for all His creatures and to worship Him in union with them (LS 87).”

Watch a reel of the farm and blessing here.

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, October 9, 2025