A gentle way of serving

After teacher’s sudden passing, K-9 Comfort Dogs return to Michigan school to bring comfort and love

​Valerie Winston (pictured at right) loved teaching — a holy calling God had on her life. She happily followed, positioning her career and talents around bringing joy to the classroom, singing, dancing, praising Jesus, and sharing the faith He gave her.

For the past two years, she served as the sixth-grade homeroom and middle school science teacher at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran School in Eastpointe, MI, and before that at Immanuel Christian Academy, where she made a lasting impact on countless students through her dedication, creativity, and unwavering belief in their potential. 

Last week, Ms. Winston passed unexpectedly, leaving her St. Peter’s students, colleagues, and school community shocked and saddened. 

But Principal Beth Jablonowski knew who to call. 

Lutheran Church Charities’ K-9 Comfort Dogs had visited months earlier when a parent had died. Their care and comfort would be needed again. 

Ready to be there again with love, encouragement, and calm were Damascus (St. Paul – Napoleon, OH), Lazarus (LCC Staff), and Michael (LCC Staff), whose wagging tails and peaceful demeanor gave St. Peter’s the lift they needed as they said goodbye.

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“We are so thankful for the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs for their care and support of our school community this year. They came alongside us not once, but twice, during seasons of loss, responding quickly and faithfully whenever we needed them."

​The dogs and their handlers visited on Tuesday and Thursday that week, on either side of the on-campus memorial service on Wednesday, when there was no school. 
 
“In this time of sorrow, we look to God for strength and comfort, and we hold onto the hope we have in Christ—that Valerie is now at peace, rejoicing in the presence of her Savior,” the school shared on its Facebook page. “Her legacy will live on in the hearts of her students and all who knew her.”

Students echoed those words of appreciation and love. 

“When we saw the sixth graders, we asked them what they liked about Ms. Winston,” a handler reflected. “They talked about how she could rap and mentioned many of the things that made them all laugh!”

She was firm but fair, students agreed. 

“Clearly they had a lot of respect and love for her,” handlers said.

The K-9 Comfort Dogs visited teachers and the younger grades too, allowing students to pet and read to them. That week, the school had reflected on Psalm 30 of David extoling the LORD and asking for deliverance with Verse 5 being especially meaningful.  

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)

From the principal to the teachers to the students, the sorrow the school has endured this year has left them vulnerable, yet grateful for the encouragement the Comfort Dogs brought. 

“We are so thankful for the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs for their care and support of our school community this year,” St. Peter’s shared on its Facebook page after the two days of visits. “They came alongside us not once, but twice, during seasons of loss, responding quickly and faithfully whenever we needed them. Their presence brought comfort, peace, and calm to our students, staff, and families during some very difficult moments. We are deeply grateful for their ministry and the gentle way they serve others through compassion and love.”