PUNXSUTAWNEY — Animal lover Jodi Tyler of Punxsutawney has started a wedding sidekick service for pet owners on their big day, “Paws in the Pews.”
Tyler works as a full-time service coordinator at the Dickinson Restoration Center in Brookville. Another huge part of her life has always been animals. She has two fur kids of her own – pitbull rescues Zilla, who is around 8 years old and was adopted from Cleveland Pitties in 2017, and Rebel, almost 5 years old, Tyler's “foster fail” whom she adopted from A Darrah Bull Bully Rescue in 2021.
Tyler, who got engaged herself in August 2024, said she is involved in many wedding-related Facebook groups and came across the idea for a “pet chauffeur” service that sparked her interest. The goal is ultimately for the bride and groom to relax and enjoy their special day while knowing their fur baby is taken care of.
She reached out to the woman who posted about this, who is from Illinois, thinking about ideas for her own wedding at the time.
“I started researching to see if there was anything like this in our area,” Tyler said.
She began posting on her personal social media page to get feedback and such, and everyone responded very positively to the idea. Tyler said she started receiving suggestions, too, like reaching out to local photographers.
She plans to work with the bride and groom in advance, learning about what vision they have in mind for their wedding day and how they want their pet involved.
“Do they want them to pose for pictures, walk down the aisle?” Tyler said as examples. “I would chaperone for the animal. I can pick the dog up and transport them, get them dressed. I can walk them and bring them back home at the end of the day and get them settled for the night.”
She has been thinking about her own situation, Tyler said, how she would get her pets to the venue on the wedding day, etc., which is what prompted this endeavor in the first place.
Ultimately, said Tyler, she will tend to their furry friend so it is one less worry in their mind for that day. And, they don't have to have a relative, friend, someone from the wedding party, etc., take care of these things.
She will meet the dog or pet prior to the big day, allowing them to get comfortable with her and learn about their behaviors/mannerisms.
Tyler stressed that all breeds are welcome.
“I believe each dog is different and unique in their own way; there is no one size fits all. Each wedding will have their own style. We will discuss how you would like the day to go,” Tyler writes on the PITP website.
Another sign of her heart for fostering and rescuing dogs, Tyler said she will be donating 10 percent of what she is paid from each wedding to a local shelter/rescue of the couple's choosing.
Spreading the word about this business adventure during this time of year is beneficial, Tyler said, since it tends to be a slower time for weddings.
“People can plan ahead this way and put it into their budget and plans,” she said, noting that it also gives her time to fine tune the details of her “Paws in the Pews” vision. Tyler said she also plans to have clients fill out a survey to learn more about them.
In addition, Tyler said a business venture such as this will be very rewarding for her in general – getting to spend the day with a dog.
“That's the best thing you can give me.”
For more information, contact Tyler at pawsinthepews@gmail.com or message/follow the “Paws in the Pews” Facebook page: www.facebook.com/people/Paws-in-the-Pews/61571380247784/ or visit the Paws in the Pews website.
