Following the tragic shooting at King Soopers, Boulder, Colorado, on March 22 that took 10 precious lives, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry was invited to serve this hurting community shocked by this horrific event. The same day, six K-9 teams from Colorado and Nebraska deployed to be there and share the compassion, love, and light of Christ with the community of first responders, residents, friends, and families of the victims.

A second group of LCC K-9 Ministry teams from Nebraska and Wisconsin relieved the initial deployment team on Monday, March 29, to assist the team from Redeemer – Fort Collins, Colorado. The K-9 Ministry teams know they cannot change what happened or take away the people’s grief, but they can provide the calming comfort of the beautiful Golden Retrievers for them to pet and snuggle with.

A young lady was sitting on the ground in front of the King Soopers memorial and crying inconsolably. We brought Devorah Comfort Dog to her, and she just starting petting her while continuing to sob, saying, ‘I'm all alone, I'm all alone.’ For 90 minutes, we prayed with her, and she was able to tell her story.
 
Kelly is a grad student at CU, having moved here 1-1/2 years ago from California. She hasn't gotten to know anyone because the pandemic started, and all her classes have been online. Having an underlying medical condition and recently receiving her second vaccine, she finally felt that it was safe to go out. She was in the store that day hiding during the entire incident. When she got out, all that she saw were dead people. We did not ask any questions; we just let her talk.

She also shared that she knew one person in her apartment complex and that she was very nice to her. That one person was Jody Waters [who was killed that day]. While petting Devorah, she said, ‘This is the first time that I have not heard the gunshots in my head.’ A young man came, sat on a stool in front of the crosses, and started to play the cello. Kelly said that she plays the violin and that the music was calming to her. Petting the dog and listening to the music allowed her to relax a bit.
 
She whispered, ‘I think he (the cellist) was in the store too. If he was, I just want to give him a hug.’ When he was done, I went up to him and asked if he was in the store. He started crying and said, ‘yes,’ this is the only thing I can do to help with the pain.’ I told him there was a young lady who wanted to give him a hug, and he said, ‘of course.’ We helped Kelly up to him, and they stood and hugged and cried for five minutes. Kelly whispered to him (Louie), ‘I'm so glad you survived.’ It turns out he also lives in the same apartment complex located less than a half block from the front of the King Soopers.

While standing with the dogs at Officer Talley's memorial site in front of the Boulder Police Department, a lady was there in tears, and we asked her if she'd like to pet the dogs. Then she really started to cry! We found out she is the floral manager at the King Soopers close to the Boulder Police Department. She said, ‘I'm the one who everyone comes to because I'm always the happy, upbeat one! But after this happened, I just couldn't do it!’
 
We found out that she was diagnosed with breast cancer two months ago, lost her son six months ago, and lived through Hurricane Katrina. She also talked very highly about her store manager, Adam. He has been the leader in organizing the King Soopers vigil, which we were invited to and attended. After team meetings, Adam always tells his employees to ‘Go out there and have fun.’ It was after meeting Kim that we presented a Mercy Heart to her and Adam.”