CAMBRIDGE, New York — After attending morning prayers in their tranquil forest church, Brother Luke returned to his residence to be welcomed by a lively scene. Lucy and Iso, two enthusiastic German shepherds, barked in excitement as the Orthodox monk, who leads the monastery’s breeding program for the breed, approached to take them and their 10-week-old companion Pyrena for morning strolls.
For nearly sixty years, the monks at New Skete have bolstered their spiritual lives and provided financial support to their community by breeding German shepherds and conducting extensive on-site training programs for a variety of dogs. “Dogs can teach us about God—such as forgiveness, love, and connection; these qualities reflect God’s nature,” remarked Brother Luke during a sunny October morning. As Lucy rummaged through fallen leaves and Iso kept watch over his monk, he added, “In life’s challenges, we don’t always express God’s love as purely as dogs do.”
The small community of monks—10 in total, along with an equal number of adult German shepherds—originated with Franciscan friars seeking a more contemplative and grounded spiritual framework compared to what Catholic orders offered. Brother Marc, one of the founders who now directs the choir, noted that the monks were inspired by the transformative “wonderful explosion” of the Second Vatican Council, prompting a return to simpler ancient practices reminiscent of early Christian ascetics in the Egyptian desert, which is where the term ‘skete’ has its roots.
Officially transitioning to the Orthodox Church in America over forty years ago, their monastery is adorned with icons featuring male and female saints representing both Eastern and Western Christianity. The monks’ journey into dog breeding began in the late 1970s when they received a single German shepherd, Kyr, intended as companionship and protection. His presence significantly transformed their communal life, offering emotional warmth and diffusing tensions among the celibate brothers. “Kyr became an integral part of our emotional landscape,” recalled Brother Marc, reflecting on the joy the dog brought to their lives.
Following Kyr’s passing, the monks opted to expand their canine family and began breeding to sustain the monastery’s upkeep, as many similar institutions globally face similar financial pressures. This initiative naturally led to a focus on training the dogs so they could coexist harmoniously in communal spaces such as the dormitory and refectory.
Visitors often admired the well-mannered German shepherds and requested training for their own pets, which sparked a greater outreach. One early supporter, an editor, encouraged the monks to share their unique and gentle training philosophy in writing. This led to the publication of multiple widely successful books and even a television series, with the monks now training approximately 120 dogs each year, as shared by Brother Christopher, who oversees the training program.
“Training dogs revealed the broader mysteries of God’s presence in creation to me,” Brother Christopher reflected. “Their honesty acts as a mirror for self-reflection.” The core of their training philosophy emphasizes fostering a sustainable relationship between dogs and their owners rooted in connection and structure, moving beyond mere obedience and recognizing the importance of letting dogs express their natural behaviors while providing emotional support to their owners.
While the majority of the 100 million pet dogs in America may not require professional training, many owners find themselves seeking help for behavioral issues or to ensure their pets are sociable in public settings. As noted by Marc Goldberg, a dog trainer from Chicago, the monastery stands out as the only religious entity recognized by the International Association of Canine Professionals, which has thousands of members. The monks welcome individuals from all walks of life, instilling their spiritual beliefs into their training processes—an approach that resonates with a long-standing tradition of intertwining animals with spirituality, evident in various cultural practices up to the legendary tale of St. Francis.
The monks charge about $3,500 for a 2.5-week training session, which aligns with the average rates for such services. This income has turned out to be more reliable than their breeding program, which the monks intentionally keep limited to ensure each dog receives appropriate attention and care.
Through their breeding and training initiatives, the monks find a profound connection to God’s creation, emphasizing the importance of living in the moment and embodying Christian virtues. “Bonding with a dog can deepen our awareness of the interconnectedness of all creation, and that humbles us,” said Brother Christopher. “We are simply part of a magnificent world.”
Brother Luke, who had no prior experience with dogs before joining the monastery in 1995, describes his initial shock when greeted by the boisterous German shepherds at the dormitory. Ultimately, he appreciates the valuable lessons they offer regarding the essence of life—whether in observing mating behaviors or caring for newborn puppies. “Dogs exemplify unconditional forgiveness and remain true to their nature, reflecting lessons about ourselves,” he reflected. “They tend to see the best in us.”
Despite the rigorous demands of maintaining the monastery—hosting visitors, aiding local community services like food distribution, engaging in Scripture study, and deepening their prayer lives—the dogs provide a source of gentle, nurturing affection. Most monks choose to keep their dogs in their personal rooms, ensuring that they return to tails wagging and eager, affectionate eyes—moments that signify profound joy for both the dogs and the monks.
“This experience evokes something deeply meaningful,” Brother Christopher stated. “It encapsulates the essence of unconditional love.”