During the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic, we have witnessed the incredible efforts of nurses, doctors, and all front-line hospital staff heroes enduring long hours, tremendous stress, and selfless dedication to caring for their patients. Since April 2020, LCC K-9 Ministry teams have been thanking and comforting nurses during all shifts who are working in COVID units through LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry® Virtual Visits.

In January, Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) received an invite from HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake in Webster, Texas, for LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Joy to participate in their Heart Health Awareness Month promotion. Joy Comfort Dog and her handlers from Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas, have been making outdoor visits to the hospital campus during the pandemic to provide love and comfort to nurses during shift changes. The hospital wanted to include Joy and her team in this nationally recognized month of heart disease awareness.

Partnering with Joy Comfort Dog’s ministry team at Gloria Dei, LCC sent thirty-two Mercy Hearts through the LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry to present to nurses to recognize their excellent and continuous care they provide to patients.
 
On Thursday, January 28, two large Mercy Hearts signed by Joy, her handlers, and Gloria Dei staff were presented to nurses as part of the photo op promotion for HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake’s Wear Red for Heart Disease Awareness campaign “We have Joy in our Hearts.” These will be displayed at the two hospital chapels.

On Sunday, February 7, Gloria Dei members rallied around the task of signing thirty Mercy Hearts with heartfelt messages of encouragement and appreciation for the compassion and sacrifice of these dedicated health care professionals.

On Monday, February 8, thirty Mercy Hearts were presented by Joy Comfort Dog and her handlers to Todd Caliva, CEO of HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake, the chief administrative team, and nurses.
 
These hearts will be displayed at each nurse station as a daily presence reminding them that they are loved, appreciated, and lifted in prayer by caring Christians, especially during these difficult times.

“Thank you for the hearts!! We are so blessed to have Joy and team as part of our team at HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake!” – Sherry Camacho, Chief Nursing Officer, HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake
 
“We are blessed!” – Lisa Welty, HCA Houston Healthcare
 
"We appreciate you more than you will ever know! To hear a physician say how Joy helps her stress and nurses say it just fills my spirit. ❤ Thank you!” – Nursing Director
 
“Thanks for everything y’all do for us!” – Sonia Irby, HCA Houston Healthcare

The Mercy Hearts and hugs from Joy Comfort Dog were extra special for the hearts they touched that day. The LCC K-9 Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion are blessed that we can continue to serve those who take care of others!
 
LCC never charges those we serve. Please help us continue to Make A Difference!

On January 25, a 500 feet wide, 150 mph EF-3 tornado was on the ground for 9.5 miles through Fultondale, Alabama, leaving a path of destruction that killed and injured residents as well as destroyed homes, schools, and businesses. This tornado was located just a few miles from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Gardendale, where Pastor Ed Brashier, Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator, serves. They are now one of the churches in this community that have committed to serving the disaster-affected residents for the long road of recovery they are currently facing.

Pastor Ed Brashier expresses his gratitude to Lutheran Church Charities, and its donors for the financial assistance received that is being used to help provide assistance for several families from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and community members that suffered a loss of their homes, belongings, and livelihoods. This financial assistance will help families with hotel costs, rent, and security deposits as they seek alternative housing to repair or rebuild their lives and homes.

 
The Franks, a family of four, are one of the members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church that experienced tornado damage to homes and autos. They had major damage to their roof and back rooms of their home. They are anticipating at least 4 months of living in a hotel while their home is being repaired. They also lost three cars, which are needed for work, and are now facing about $8,000 in deductibles for the loss of their home and autos. This is one of the many financial burdens that most tornado-affected families are now experiencing.
 
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will be serving their disaster-affected congregation, school, and community members in the name of Jesus Christ, through this long-term recovery process. Please prayerfully consider donating to help Good Shepherd support these families as they recover from this devastating disaster.

Corporal Terri Albright of the DuPage County Sheriff’s Department has joined the K-9 Ministry as LCC K-9 Police Ministry Coordinator Volunteer. In her role, Terri will be working with all of K-9 Ministry Affiliates to engage ministries in serving first responders and their families, with an emphasis on the law enforcement community.
 
Terri joined LCC as the LCC K-9 Police Ministry Coordinator in February 2021. She is the K-9 Police Ministry law enforcement handler for LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Julia at King of Glory Lutheran Church, Elgin, Illinois. Terri has been with the DuPage Sheriff’s Office since 2004 and currently serving as a Corporal with the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office Community Resource Unit.
 
Terri holds a Masters in Mental Health Counseling and developed the Sheriff’s Post Crisis Response Team. The LCC K-9 Police Ministry's primary focus is serving first responders and their families, with an emphasis on the law enforcement community. Terri will be working with all LCC K-9 Ministry Affiliates to raise awareness and engage ministries in this outreach.

Bonnie Fear, LCC K-9 Ministry Top Dog at Redeemer, Fort Collins, Colorado, has joined LCC in the role of LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator. In her role, Bonnie will be working with LCC and the K-9 Affiliates to plan and coordinate responses to crisis and disasters situations with boots and paws on the ground within 24 hours from the invite (if possible) to bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need.
 
Bonnie joined LCC in November of 2015 as a handler for LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Cubby at Redeemer. She has deployed with Cubby Comfort Dog to 11 crisis/disaster deployments since 2016. In 2017, she became Top Dog for the K-9 Ministry team at Redeemer. She was also instrumental in getting a second Comfort Dog at Redeemer with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Devorah's placement in November of 2020. Before joining LCC, Bonnie was employed by AAL in Appleton, WI (now Thrivent) for 14 years.
 
LCC would like to thank Patrick Quinn for his faithful service in heading up the LCC K-9 Police Ministry with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Shiloh. Patrick will still be involved in the K-9 Police Ministry in serving Law Enforcement and their families. Thank you, Patrick – "well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:23)