8 CHURCHES FROM COLORADO, KANSAS, AND NEBRASKA REPRESENTED AT NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL GATHERING

Last weekend, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams from Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado came together for the North Central Regional Gathering, hosted at Trinity Lutheran Church Fremont, Nebraska. In all, 10 teams of comfort dogs, handlers, and ministry partners from eight churches (plus three soon-to-be LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams) joined for a time of worship, fellowship, remembrance, thanksgiving, and training. 

“There was much joy, love, collaboration, and celebration as the teams came together, uniting old and new friends,” the group agreed. “It was a time to learn, grow, and give thanks to God for this ministry.”

The weekend was a busy one as the teams received training and certification in Spiritual First Aid™, another tool for the teams to use as they encounter people who have experienced trauma. The teams also enjoyed some refresher handler training to sharpen their skills and confidence in working with their LCC K-9 Comfort Dog.

Participants included 10 LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams from eight churches in three states:

• Katie Comfort Dog from Trinity Lutheran Church, Fremont, Nebraska
• Phinehas Comfort Dog from Trinity Lutheran Church Fremont, Nebraska
• Joanna Comfort Dog from Christ Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Nebraska
• Priscilla Comfort Dog from Trinity Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Nebraska
• Eden Comfort Dog from Peace Lutheran Church, Columbus, Nebraska
• Nicodemus Comfort Dog from The Rock Lutheran Church, Seward, Nebraska
• Eddie Comfort Dog from Peace Lutheran Church, Grand Island, Nebraska
• Keren Comfort Dog from Immanuel Lutheran Church, Ellsworth, Kansas 
• Devorah Comfort Dog from Redeemer Lutheran Church, Fort Collins, Colorado

• Zacchaeus Comfort Dog from Redeemer Lutheran Church, Fort Collins, Colorado

 
Joining the group were three Soon-to-be LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Teams: 

• Second Comfort Dog Ministry team from Peace Lutheran Church, Grand Island, Nebraska
• Second Comfort Dog Ministry team from Christ Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Nebraska 

• Second Comfort Dog Ministry team from Trinity Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Nebraska 

 
The Regional Gathering also included the handler team from Christ Lutheran Church, Cairo, Nebraska, who had LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Moses, before he passed away earlier this year. Moses was the first Comfort Dog placed in the state of Nebraska almost 12 years ago. 

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams in the North Central Region were able to celebrate the impact Moses and his team had, including hundreds of relationships formed over a dozen years of ministry work.  
 
“It was a wonderful opportunity to surround the Moses Comfort Dog team in love and prayer,” Gathering attendees said.

On Saturday, Comfort Dog teams engaged with congregation members of Trinity Lutheran at a meet and greet before the evening church service. There were so many smiles as people saw the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs, handlers and ministry partners lined up to greet them. The room was filled with conversation and laughter — a wonderful time to share God’s love and comfort. 
 
“We are thankful for the warm hospitality and delicious food provided by Trinity Lutheran during the training. The volunteers at Trinity went all out to make everyone feel welcomed,” some of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams and LCC staff remarked.