LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Maggie During a regularly scheduled bus greeting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Maggie (Christ the King – Newtown, Connecticut) had a very special visit from a student. A young boy, most likely first grade, had the opportunity to visit with Maggie Comfort Dog alone, as his mother drops him off every day and the buses hadn't arrived yet. It looked like what was going to be a normal visit where Maggie Comfort Dog might get a few pats and then he would run off to his class. However, on this particular day, he took a few moments to look Maggie Comfort Dog square in the eyes and said to her, "Maggie, I love you. Remember to be kind and nice to everyone you see today. Have a great day," and then kissed the top of her head and went off to class. The office receptionist saw the expression on Maggie Comfort Dog handler’s face, Linda Gollenberg, as he left and came running out just about in tears. She said, "I am sure I know what he just said. His mother tells him that every day when she drops him off." Indeed it was. A little child gets it and shares it, giving Maggie her instruction for the day! It made the rest of Linda’s day great and brought the following Bible verses to mind: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35 These dogs have made me feel happy and safe coming back to school at Douglas. They give me a reason to get up in the morning. I love getting to pet each and every one of them as I walk through the halls during the day.” Top Dogs from four states came into Lutheran Church Charities’ home office to be trained as leaders for their congregations LCC K-9 Ministry. In addition to the three new Top Dogs from churches in process, we also trained three affiliate members as new Top Dogs. Churches represented include: Christ the King – Lake Ozark, Missouri Light of the Valley – Elk Grove, California St. John – Lombard, Illinois St. Matthew – Hawthorn Woods, Illinois St. Peter – Arlington Heights, Illinois Trinity – Hicksville, New York We are blessed to have all of these congregations as part of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry.
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