LCC was blessed to have 10 affiliates from nine states represented at the Replacement Handler training last weekend.  LCC is happy to welcome these wonderful individuals who have been called to go out and serve their home communities to share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those in need. 
 
The handlers spent a lot of time learning new handling skills and building their knowledge about the ministry.  Each handler worked with either their affiliate’s dog or with a LCC K-9 Comfort Dog in training.
 
LCC welcomes the following new handlers to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog® Ministry:
 
Diane Fager, King of Kings, Glenpool, Oklahoma with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Persis
Kim Gastler, Gloria Dei, Houston, Texas with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Joy
Heidi Gustin, Immanuel, Joplin, Missouri with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Daniel
Cami Hamer, Peace, Columbus, Nebraska with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Eden
Gerry Lafergola, King of Glory, Williamsburg, Virginia with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Solomon
Jan Slack, King of Glory, Williamsburg, Virginia with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Solomon
Bill Schiller, Christ the King, Lake Ozark, Missouri with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Boaz
John Snow, St. Andrew, Park Ridge, Illinois with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Myra
Debora Jackubcin, St Luke, Oviedo, Florida with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Moriah
Kevin Buckley, Good Shepherd, Las Vegas, Nevada with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Lois
Tom Pinzl, The Lutheran Church of Prince of Peace, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Rhoda
 
Lutheran Church Charities is honored to welcome Navy veteran Kim Gastler to the LCC Kare-9 Military Ministry.

On Saturday, March 4, LCC Kare 9® Military Ministry Dogs Abraham and Beloved (Trinity - Hicksville, New York), along with their veteran handlers spent the day with the men, women and children of the 106th Air Rescue Wing as they prepared for their future deployment. The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program is the Department of Defense's effort to promote the well-being of National Guard and Reserve members, their families and communities, by connecting them with resources throughout the deployment cycle.  

Kare 9s Abraham and Beloved attend these events to help provide some level of comfort to what can be a stressful day.  During pre-deployments the families are encouraged to attend to know what to expect during deployment and what resources are available to them. During the introduction of the dogs and Lutheran Church Charities, John Haines (Kare-9 handler)  assured the attendees that both dogs had top level clearance and would not divulge any secrets shared with them.  

While attendees were in session many of the children were brought over from the daycare to meet the dogs.  One young man, Steven ( 2 years old) shared with the team that he had one golden retriever named Grace and couldn't believe he was seeing two more golden retrievers.

LCC K-9 Police Ministry® Dog Isaac (Redeemer - Spokane Valley, Washington) was invited to the Spokane's Regional Emergency Communications Center through the help of a Spokane County Sheriff's Chaplain. 

We made our way through, visiting the 911 center, police dispatch, sheriff's dispatch, fire dispatch and finished off with the administration.  Isaac was well loved by all.  One of the dispatchers just recently came back to work after losing her spouse to a tragic event.  Being able to spend some time with Isaac made her day. 

It also turns out that the Sheriff's chaplain, who was with us, was the same chaplain who was called out to that dispatchers home the night her spouse died. They have not spoken in a long time. The chaplains response to today's encounter was God used Isaac today to help them both reconnect and heal.
 
Dear Lord help me keep safe those who depend on me.
Give me healthy ears for the are my link with those who need me.
Help me remember that I make a difference, however small it might seem some days and that I matter.
I am a dispatcher, Lord grant me peace.