Four Homes of Mercy in Bethany Israel cares for 68 mentally and physically disabled children and adults. They are always in desperate need of resources to care for those who cannot care for themselves. While there, Tim Hetzner learned that the staff has not been paid in three months. 

Thank you for your help in helping those who Jesus cares for.

Tim Hetzner
President / CEO
Lutheran Church Charities

The Wisconsin Honor Guard Association reached out to Patrick Quinn, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Coordinator, to invite LCC K-9 Police Ministry and LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry teams to the visitations of Officer Rittner. Teams met with Matthew's family members, law enforcement personnel from all over the United States, military members, and others who came to pay their respects.

Matthew was a son, brother, husband, father, soldier, and police officer who dedicated himself to serving others, and who saved lives. Matthew is survived by his wife, and young son.

"Well done, good and faithful servant!" Matthew 25:21
 
The following LCC K-9 Ministry Teams were blessed to serve:

LCC K-9 Police Ministry:
Shiloh (Christ Our Savior – Dixon, Illinois)
Charity (Brookfield Lutheran – Brookfield, Wisconsin)
Dora (LHSA of Greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry:
Brutus (LCC Squad)’
Rhoda (Prince of Peace – Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin)

Two days after the funeral, an email was sent to Patrick Quinn from Matthew's fellow Marine and police officer, Josh Horton, who wrote:

"It was a pleasure to meet you guys, and thank you so much for coming to spend time with us all, and to help comfort Matt's Marine and Police teammates during this difficult time. We all very much appreciated the thought and time you took to be there.

Highest Regard,
Josh"

On February 13-15, Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Baltimore, Maryland, and Christ Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, joined LCC staff for handler training. Each church was very excited to meet their new LCC K-9 Comfort Dog and to become part of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry. The new handlers and caregivers spent many hours training in ministry and in handler skills.

The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is one of presence. When the Lord calls, we must go and serve Him. Isaiah 6:8 tells us, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me.’”

The following new handlers to the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry have heard that call:

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Handlers
Emmanuel – Baltimore, Maryland
Andy Croll
Clara Croll
Patrick Donnelly 
Ric Durham            
Dawn Fischer
Heather Graddy
Dawn Hull
Lori Wilkey

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Handlers
Christ Lincoln – Lincoln, Nebraska
Judy Hanika
Rich Hanika
Kim Kneifl
Jaelene Koll
Steve Koll
Nancy Pekny
Jodi Pella
Larry Ruwe             
Cindy Sorensen
Amber Ledin
Susan Holland        
Mark L’Heureux
Tony Pekny

LCC is honored to include the following individual to the LCC K-9 Police Ministry:
Patrick Donnelly, Officer, Baltimore (MD), 1993 – 1996

LCC is also honored to include the following individual to the LCC Kare-9 Military Ministry:
Larry Ruwe, United States Marine Corp, 1969 – 1973

We extend a heartfelt thank you for their service and to all of our volunteer handlers for their dedication to the LCC K-9 Ministry.

Judy asked Victor that day if he would like Luke to put his front paws on his lap. “Oh yes,” he said. Luke settled into his lap. It was so beautiful. They snuggled for a while. “Settle boy,” Victor told Luke.

Not a single rose was given to Victor but this visit will stay in Judy’s heart for a long time

Night to Shine is a beautiful, unforgettable prom night centered on God's love for individuals with special needs ages 14 and older. On one night, February 8, 2019, 655 churches from around the world came together to host Night to Shine events for approximately 100,000 honored guests through the support of 200,000 volunteers. Organized through the Tim Tebow Foundation, Night to Shine events, hosted by churches, create an amazing event which celebrates the uniqueness of each individual guest. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers were honored to participate at Night to Shine events to share comfort and love to attendees and volunteers.

Here’s a few of the LCC K-9 Ministry teams who participated in the 5th Anniversary Night to Shine celebrations!

LCC thanks our LCC K-9 Ministry teams for sharing the love of Jesus Christ to all attendees!

These adorable golden retrievers have already started to bond with their new volunteer apprentice trainers. Follow them on Facebook on their journey to become LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs.

Lutheran Church Charities is always recruiting new volunteers to help train these amazing animals. We will have more puppies arriving soon and need more volunteers to nurture and train them. If you are interested in joining us on this mission, please contact Megan mglowacz@LutheranChurchCharities.org or Becky bkolzow@LutheranChurchCharities.org for further information or visit our website.