Last Thursday Christine took me to the fifth session of Healing 101. Debbie and I visited Crystal Pines on Saturday. Sunday morning I was at church. In the afternoon, Anna and I greeted families coming to the Confirmation Service. I spent time with Mary Jane on Monday. Thank you to Debbie, Cliff, and my special friend Otis for a fun weekend while Liz was out of town.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 07 November 2012 15:30
Comfort Dogs Star, Barnabas and Prince Attend Fundraiser in Portage Indiana
On Saturday, November 3rd, Comfort Dogs Barnabas, Prince and Star were all on hand with their handlers for the Hot Dog and Chili Fundraiser Dinner put on to raise funds for an additional Comfort Dog for Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Portage. Prince, who works primarily at Portage High School, will be semi-retiring at the end of this school year. The new dog will work full time at Portage High School with the counselors starting the 2013-2014 school year.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 07 November 2012 15:31
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Staff Attend Beautiful Feet Conference
Last week LCC staff members Tim Kurth and Dona Martin, along with volunteer Lynn Buhrke, traveled to Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon for the annual Beautiful Feet Missions Conference. K-9 Comfort Dogs Luther and Chewie, along with Comfort Dog in training Ruthie, went along. Over 200 students from Concordia Universities and Colleges around the country came for the three day conference to learn about mission opportunities all around the world. The Comfort Dogs were very popular with all the students who also enjoyed learning about the ministry of LCC.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 07 November 2012 15:32
Shami Makes the Rounds of Shelters, Hospitals and Classrooms
Shami visited the Women and Children's Shelter October 23rd. Many of the children were getting ready for Halloween and loved showing Shami their costumes. Shami sat with a young girl and her brother while they were working on their homework. They read Shami a book all about reptiles, which she really enjoyed, especially the cool pictures!
Shami visited Hinsdale Hospital last Wednesday night. The nurses were so thrilled to see her and she received numerous requests to visit with patients throughout the hospital. The five year-old daughter of one of the patients was so thrilled to meet "Luther's friend". She spent a good deal of time with her new friend and is hoping for another visit! Shami also found time to visit with several of the hospital staff members.
Jolene Bazon accompanied Shami to visit with the autistic children again on Thursday, October 25th. The children spent time petting Shami and then had an opportunity to play ball with her. The children were thrilled that Shami brought the ball back to them repeatedly. Looks like they wore Shami out! Shami will continue to visit with the children, as they have responded in such a positive manner to her visits.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 07 November 2012 15:32
New K-9 Comfort Dogs Arrive from Training in Dwight
The newest dogs soon to join the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry arrived yesterday from the Dwight Correctional Facility. Rich and Dona Martin traveled to Dwight where they dropped off three puppies (Delilah, Phoebe and Susannah) that will be trained over the next nine months. They brought home Addison (Addie), Maggie and Zipporah (Zippy) who will now enter the final phase of preparation before they are ready to be placed in congregations. If you church is interested in getting a K-9 Comfort Dog for your ministry please contact Tim Hetzner at (866) 455-6466 or by emailing
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
On Saturday, October 20, trainer Alex Brooks took nine K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers through advanced training at his facility in Des Plaines, Illinois. LCC has arranged with Alex and trainer Patti Milazzo to provide monthly advanced handler trainings for all Affiliate Members in the Chicago area. The next trainings are set for November 11 and December 8.
Last Updated on Thursday, 01 November 2012 07:56
K-9 Butter of St. John Algonquin Checks in for the Week
Last Thursday I attended the third session of Healing 101 and stopped in at the Ladies of St. John's meeting to check for crumbs. I found women still milling around the tables of Narimon jewelry. Liz and I went to Crystal Pines on Saturday. We greeted quite a few people--a man recovering from a leg amputation, patients waiting to play their horse racing game, and a woman hoping to go home to her apartment in Chicago. I greeted at Saturday evening church and the Ministry Fair with John. Sunday morning I was there again after the early service and at the Fair. Cheryl took me to the 10:30 service and the Fair. I spent time with Mary Jane on Monday.
Last Updated on Thursday, 01 November 2012 07:57
K-9 Comfort Dog Shami Touches the Lives of Autistic Children
Last week K-9 Comfort Dog Shami from St. John Darien, along with handler Toni Bazon, visited a classroom with autistic children. The response of the children was so remarkable the teacher wrote to explain what happened.
Shami came to visit our classroom last week. I have five students that have Autism. Out of the five four of them are considered "nonverbal". When Shami came into the room, one child in particular stated more spontaneous language than he has all school year, as he kissed, hugged, and lay next to her. To watch a child unfold before your eyes, there are no words to describe that moment. God worked with Shami so that we could see another side to this little boy that we haven't seen before. It was incredible. I look forward to seeing the work Shami continues to do in our class!
We praise God for the ways in which He touches the lives of children and adults through the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry. Toni reports that Shami will return to this classroom on October 25.
Click here to "Like" Shami on Facebook
Last Updated on Thursday, 01 November 2012 08:02
LCC President Tim Hetzner Speaks at Lord of Life Darien
Tim Hetzner was invited to speak to the Senior Group at Lord of Life in Darien. They were interested in supporting the Disaster Response work LCC has been doing in the Gulf region ever since Hurricane Katrina. One member of the group has already gone down as a LCC volunteer following Hurricane Isaac. The group was also interested in learning more about the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry. LCC staff member Rich Martin, along with K-9 Comfort Dogs Howe and Olympia, attended the event with Tim.
Last Updated on Thursday, 01 November 2012 07:57
K-9 Comfort Dog Moses Appears on ABC TV Nebraska Affiliate Morning Show with Pastor Keylon and Jaci Knuth
On Friday morning, October 19, K-9 Comfort Dog Moses from Christ Lutheran Cairo, Nebraska accompanied by Pastor Glen Keylon and handler Jaci Knuth visited the studios of the ABC affiliate in Grand Island, Nebraska. They appeared on NTV The Good Life and talked about the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry, the work of Christ Lutheran and all that Moses has done since arriving in Nebraska just over two months ago. Moses looked wonderful on TV. Pastor Keylon and Jaci did a wonderful job witnessing Jesus and telling the story of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry.
Click here to see the full interview Click here to donate to the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry
Last Updated on Friday, 19 October 2012 12:34
The Latest Butter Report
Last Thursday I attended the second session of Healing 101. Kathy and I went to Crystal Pines on Saturday. She spent a long time listening, talking, and praying with Elizabeth who was very unhappy. Thank you to Robin and her family for my weekend sleepover and for taking me to church on Sunday. After T'ai Chi on Tuesday we visited with Mary Jane.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 October 2012 15:36
LCC Staff and K-9 Comfort Dogs Travel to Wisconsin for School Assembly
Last Wednesday, October 10, LCC staff members and K-9 Comfort Dogs traveled to St. Peter-Immanuel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Two hundred students gathered in the gym for a K-9 Comfort Dog assembly. The students loved learning more about the K-9's and the ministry work they do with their handlers. Following the assembly they visited with K-9's Olympia, Ruthie, and Chewie. LCC staff Dona and Rich Martin, along with LCC volunteer Lynn Buhrke, followed the visit with a presentation to the Ladies Guild where they were met with a warm welcome.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 October 2012 15:34
Rich and Dona Martin Present K-9 Handler Training in Normal, Illinois
On Saturday, October 13 LCC staff members Rich and Dona Martin traveled to the Central Illinois District where they presented a K-9 handler training at Wittenberg Lutheran Center. Accompanied by LCC staff Deaconess Tiffany Manor, who serves in CID, and K-9 Comfort Dogs Zeke (who serves Tiffany), Olympia, and Ruthie, met with a group of prospective handlers. The group included Pastor Bill Jensen with his wife Cindy. Training included the history of the Comfort Dog Ministry, the spiritual needs of those in need, K-9 etiquette, and hands-on training with each K-9. These handlers are now well-equipped to serve the students and community of the Bloomington-Normal area. Well done new handlers!
Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 October 2012 15:25
ABC 7 Chicago Reports on the Impact of the Closing of Dwight Correctional Center and the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry
Sunday, October 7, 2012 On Sunday, October 7, 2012, ABC 7 Chicago's Stacey Baca reported on the impact of the closing of the Dwight Correctional Facility and the training of LCC's K-9 Comfort Dogs Click here to visit ABC 7 Chicago's website
K-9 Comfort Dog Butter Reports on Her Busy Schedule
Last Thursday I attended the first session of Healing 101. It was good to see so many of my friends there. Debbie took me to Crystal Pines on Saturday. I greeted at church on Sunday. Then Cheryl, Liz, and I spent time in Riverside Park. Two ladies from Eastgate enjoyed petting me. Have you seen the 9-11 Firemen's Memorial down there? After T'ai Chi on Tuesday we visited with Mary Jane.
Last Thursday Christine took me to the fifth session of Healing 101. Debbie and I visited Crystal Pines on Saturday. Sunday morning I was at church. In the afternoon, Anna and I greeted families coming to the Confirmation Service. I spent time with Mary Jane on Monday. Thank you to Debbie, Cliff, and my special friend Otis for a fun weekend while Liz was out of town.
On Saturday, November 3rd, Comfort Dogs Barnabas, Prince and Star were all on hand with their handlers for the Hot Dog and Chili Fundraiser Dinner put on to raise funds for an additional Comfort Dog for Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Portage. Prince, who works primarily at Portage High School, will be semi-retiring at the end of this school year. The new dog will work full time at Portage High School with the counselors starting the 2013-2014 school year.
Last week LCC staff members Tim Kurth and Dona Martin, along with volunteer Lynn Buhrke, traveled to Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon for the annual Beautiful Feet Missions Conference. K-9 Comfort Dogs Luther and Chewie, along with Comfort Dog in training Ruthie, went along. Over 200 students from Concordia Universities and Colleges around the country came for the three day conference to learn about mission opportunities all around the world. The Comfort Dogs were very popular with all the students who also enjoyed learning about the ministry of LCC.
Shami visited the Women and Children's Shelter October 23rd. Many of the children were getting ready for Halloween and loved showing Shami their costumes. Shami sat with a young girl and her brother while they were working on their homework. They read Shami a book all about reptiles, which she really enjoyed, especially the cool pictures! 
Jolene Bazon accompanied Shami to visit with the autistic children again on Thursday, October 25th. The children spent time petting Shami and then had an opportunity to play ball with her. The children were thrilled that Shami brought the ball back to them repeatedly. Looks like they wore Shami out! Shami will continue to visit with the children, as they have responded in such a positive manner to her visits.
The newest dogs soon to join the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry arrived yesterday from the Dwight Correctional Facility. Rich and Dona Martin traveled to Dwight where they dropped off three puppies (Delilah, Phoebe and Susannah) that will be trained over the next nine months. They brought home Addison (Addie), Maggie and Zipporah (Zippy) who will now enter the final phase of preparation before they are ready to be placed in congregations. If you church is interested in getting a K-9 Comfort Dog for your ministry please contact Tim Hetzner at (866) 455-6466 or by emailing
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
On Saturday, October 20, trainer Alex Brooks took nine K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers through advanced training at his facility in Des Plaines, Illinois. LCC has arranged with Alex and trainer Patti Milazzo to provide monthly advanced handler trainings for all Affiliate Members in the Chicago area. The next trainings are set for November 11 and December 8.
Last Thursday I attended the third session of Healing 101 and stopped in at the Ladies of St. John's meeting to check for crumbs. I found women still milling around the tables of Narimon jewelry. Liz and I went to Crystal Pines on Saturday. We greeted quite a few people--a man recovering from a leg amputation, patients waiting to play their horse racing game, and a woman hoping to go home to her apartment in Chicago. I greeted at Saturday evening church and the Ministry Fair with John. Sunday morning I was there again after the early service and at the Fair. Cheryl took me to the 10:30 service and the Fair. I spent time with Mary Jane on Monday.
Shami came to visit our classroom last week. I have five students that have Autism. Out of the five four of them are considered "nonverbal". When Shami came into the room, one child in particular stated more spontaneous language than he has all school year, as he kissed, hugged, and lay next to her. To watch a child unfold before your eyes, there are no words to describe that moment. God worked with Shami so that we could see another side to this little boy that we haven't seen before. It was incredible. I look forward to seeing the work Shami continues to do in our class!
Tim Hetzner was invited to speak to the Senior Group at Lord of Life in Darien. They were interested in supporting the Disaster Response work LCC has been doing in the Gulf region ever since Hurricane Katrina. One member of the group has already gone down as a LCC volunteer following Hurricane Isaac. The group was also interested in learning more about the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry. LCC staff member Rich Martin, along with K-9 Comfort Dogs Howe and Olympia, attended the event with Tim.
On Friday morning, October 19, K-9 Comfort Dog Moses from Christ Lutheran Cairo, Nebraska accompanied by Pastor Glen Keylon and handler Jaci Knuth visited the studios of the ABC affiliate in Grand Island, Nebraska. They appeared on NTV The Good Life and talked about the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry, the work of Christ Lutheran and all that Moses has done since arriving in Nebraska just over two months ago. Moses looked wonderful on TV. Pastor Keylon and Jaci did a wonderful job witnessing Jesus and telling the story of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry.
Last Wednesday, October 10, LCC staff members and K-9 Comfort Dogs traveled to St. Peter-Immanuel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Two hundred students gathered in the gym for a K-9 Comfort Dog assembly. The students loved learning more about the K-9's and the ministry work they do with their handlers. Following the assembly they visited with K-9's Olympia, Ruthie, and Chewie. LCC staff Dona and Rich Martin, along with LCC volunteer Lynn Buhrke, followed the visit with a presentation to the Ladies Guild where they were met with a warm welcome.
On Saturday, October 13 LCC staff members Rich and Dona Martin traveled to the Central Illinois District where they presented a K-9 handler training at Wittenberg Lutheran Center. Accompanied by LCC staff Deaconess Tiffany Manor, who serves in CID, and K-9 Comfort Dogs Zeke (who serves Tiffany), Olympia, and Ruthie, met with a group of prospective handlers. The group included Pastor Bill Jensen with his wife Cindy. Training included the history of the Comfort Dog Ministry, the spiritual needs of those in need, K-9 etiquette, and hands-on training with each K-9. These handlers are now well-equipped to serve the students and community of the Bloomington-Normal area. Well done new handlers!
