On Monday, February 25, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Anna (Trinity – Toledo, Ohio), Rosie (Atonement – Columbus, Ohio), and Naomi (Holy Cross – Indianapolis, Indiana), and their handlers, were invited to East Central High School in St. Leon, Indiana. While there, the K-9s offered comfort to about 400 students as they mourned the loss of a fellow student. While petting the K-9s, the students shared many happy memories of this young man’s kindness, athletic ability, and how much they will miss him.

The LCC K-9 Ministry team at Emmanuel – Baltimore, Maryland was presented LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Kezia’s vest on Sunday, February 24 as part of the Passing of Vest during worship service by Pastor Martin Schultheis and LCC representative Joel Wardenburg, Northeast Regional Coordinator. Kezia Comfort Dog’s team recently completed their training at LCC in Northbrook, Illinois, and will be a beacon to share compassionate ministry in the Greater Baltimore area. 

Pastor Ed Brashier states, “We have removed trees from over 125 homes, we now have 39 active jobs (not counting Mexico Beach that Pastor Gieseking is leading), and 16 waiting to be assessed. In my 13 years of doing disaster response, Hurricane Michael brought the worst tree damage devastation that I have seen. When Camp Trinity closes after six continuous months of operation, Panama City's tree damage will still be far from recovered.”
 
Please pray for the safety of the LERT volunteers deploying and keep the residents affected by Hurricane Michael in your prayers as they will continue to face a long recovery

On Monday, February 25, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams deployed to Aurora, Illinois, to comfort employees returning to work following the horrific shooting on February 15 at the Henry Pratt Company. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Ruthie, Adeena, Eve and Tobias, and their handlers met with hundreds of employees from the office and the manufacturing plant. As expected, it was a very emotional day for everyone, especially those who worked side-by-side with the victims.

On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday last week, Comfort Dog teams spent time with students at 16 schools in the Aurora school district, comforting hundreds of students, faculty and staff each day. The district schools were on soft lockdown during the incident.

Following a tragedy such as a shooting, the effects can be far-reaching into the community. Students are anxious, teachers are anxious, and administration does their best to help everyone feeling stressed return to normal. LCC worked with Pastor Alex Merlo of Iglesia Evangelical Lutheran Church and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aurora, Aurora School District 129, and with Aurora city officials to help bring comfort to those affected by the shooting.

The LCC K-9 Ministry teams spread throughout the Aurora community: 20 teams served on Tuesday, 17 teams served on Wednesday, and 14 teams served on Thursday. The handlers and Comfort Dogs brought much needed serenity to the anxious school communities, and many teams met almost every child in the school they visited!

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Chloe & Zippy shared:

At one point a girl came in with tears in her eyes. She took one look at the Comfort Dogs and she showed signs of joy. At first, she didn’t say anything, just a peace and joyful feeling on her face. She came back about an hour later as she wanted just a bit more time, but this time she had a lot of questions while petting the Comfort Dogs.

LCC received the following thank you from Marti Neahring, Director of Student Services, District 129:

I wanted to extend a very sincere thank you for reaching out to us following the tragic situation that took place in Aurora on 2/15. We had no idea what to expect when our staff and students returned to school on Tuesday, but I can tell you that the presence of the comfort dogs and their handlers was a welcome addition to the week.
 
Thank you again,
Marti

On February 19th and 21st, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dogs Shiloh and Eve, along with their law enforcement handlers, visited the Aurora Police Department. They had the opportunity to meet with officers who attended special briefings intended to help them maintain their wellness following the tragic shooting. The K-9 teams also met with detectives, secretaries, records clerks, and dispatchers to thank them for their service, and let them know that they are all in our prayers!

LCC K-9 Ministry Teams
Adeena (St. John – Burlington, Illinois)
Angel (St. John’s – La Grange, Illinois)
Asher (Faith Lutheran – Lake Forest, Illinois)
Barnabas (Trinity – Hobart, Indiana)
Bekah (Immanuel – Belvidere, Illinois)
Brutus (LCC Squad)
Charity (Brookfield Lutheran – Brookfield, Wisconsin)
Chloe (Lord of Life – Elburn, Illinois)
Cyrus (Comfort Dog in Training)
Esther (Holy Cross – Collinsville, Illinois)
Eunice (LCC Staff)
Eve (St. John’s – Lombard, Illinois)
Hannah (LCC Staff)
Isaiah (Trinity – Hobart, Indiana)
JoJo (Living Christ – Arlington Heights, Illinois)
Julia (King of Glory – Elgin, Illinois)
Kye (Immanuel – Belvidere, Illinois)
Ladel (St. Matthew – Hawthorn Woods, Illinois)
Levi (Immanuel – East Dundee, Illinois)
Malachi (St. Matthew – Hawthorn Woods, Illinois)
Marie (Comfort Dog in Training)
Ruthie (LCC Staff)
Seth (Comfort Dog in Training)
Susie (St. Peter – Arlington Heights, Illinois)
Tobias (Lord of Glory – Grayslake, Illinois)
Zippy (Trinity – Roselle, Illinois)

LCC K-9 Police Ministry Teams
Eve (St. John’s – Lombard, Illinois)
Shiloh (Christ Our Savior – Dixon, Illinois)

All of our congregations have people who live with chronic pain and, as individuals, all of us know someone suffering from chronic pain.

CLICK HERE for an article from Church Health Magazine that provides practical ministry ways to respond to and help people in chronic pain.

Permission to reproduce for non-commercial ministry use.

Start your day with a free devotion from Tim Hetzner, President/CEO of Lutheran Church Charities. A new four-part devotional series "Four Categories of Desire” begins Monday, March 4.

On Saturday, February 23, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Reuben (First Lutheran – Yuba City, California), and his law enforcement handler, attended the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year banquet. The event was hosted by the Marysville Exchange Club, and it was held in Yuba City, California.

It was an honor to be there to thank all the brave people (and K-9s) who work in law enforcement!

LCC continues to work with both Pastor Alex Merlo of Iglesia Evangelical Lutheran Church and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aurora, and with Aurora city officials to help bring comfort to those affected by the shooting.

The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry never charges those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. We know that comfort is needed to help this shocked and devastated community and the first responders who serve them.

Please join LCC in keeping the families, first responders, and the community in your prayers as they move through these extremely trying times.

On Saturday, February 9, LCC President / CEO Tim Hetzner and his tour group brought essential needs purchased with generous LCC donor funds, such as cold medications, Desitin, digital thermometers, glucose check machines and strips, and aspirins to Four Homes of Mercy. These items are very expensive and even difficult to get in Israel. LCC also presented them with financial assistance from our donors.

The employees and volunteers at Four Homes of Mercy were very thankful to receive these items to care for their residents. Residents and staff were happy to see Tim and spend time with him and his tour group. What a blessing to be able to provide for their physical needs and share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Your Financial Support Is Still Needed

Four Home of Mercy continues to need on-going financial support for their ministry. If you are moved to help those who cannot help themselves, please consider making a donation now to help. Dollar per dollar it will go to meet the needs of the residents at Four Homes of Mercy.

Milwaukee Police Officer Matthew Rittner (age 35) was killed in the line of duty on February 6, 2019. He was shot while assisting with the execution of a search warrant. Matthew was a 17 year veteran of the police department, and ten year member of the Tactical Enforcement Unit. He was a decorated officer, who had earned the Medal of Valor and the Meritorious Service Award for heroic actions to save lives.

Matthew was also a U.S. Marine who served multiple tours of duty in Iraq, and saw combat there. He saved the life of a fellow soldier who was injured in combat. Matthew applied a tourniquet to stop a bleeding wound, and then carried the wounded soldier through enemy fire to a location where a helicopter rescue could be accomplished.