 Lutheran Church Charities was invited by Our Savior Lutheran Church & School in Louisville, Kentucky, home of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Mercy, to serve the shocked and hurting community that has been greatly impacted by a tragic mass shooting that occurred on Monday, April 10, at the Old National Bank, killing five and injuring eight. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Caleb (Immanuel – Valparaiso, Indiana), Magdalene (Cornerstone – Carmel, Indiana), and Mercy (Our Savior – Louisville, Kentucky) and their handlers were present last week to listen to those who are grieving, bringing them comfort, love, friendship, hope, and prayer. They visited Louisville Metropolitan Police Department District 4 to bring comfort and unconditional love to the officers who have been through a lot over the past week.
The LCC K-9 Ministry teams also returned to Old National Bank where they set up LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion. They were present with those who were visiting the memorial and writing messages on the hearts.
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion were present at a community-wide prayer vigil taking place at the Muhammad Ali Center.
Please join LCC as we continue to pray for the Louisville community during this incredibly difficult time and for all of the first responders who heroically responded to a very difficult scene. LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge 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.
Monday, April 17 was the first day back in school from spring break for the students at Leverette Elementary School in Toledo, Ohio. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Claudia (Trinity - Toledo, Ohio), and Jared (Holy Cross - Fort Wayne, Indiana) with their handlers met with the siblings of the teen who died. They are in the second, fourth, and fifth grades. The youngest was shy but receptive to Jared and sat with him for over 15 minutes. Her brother in fourth grade was accompanied by his teacher and didn't get down on the mat with Jared and Claudia but was smiling and answering questions. The two older boys sat down and hugged and petted Jared. After about 30 minutes, their teacher asked if they wanted to return to the classroom, but both wanted to stay with Jared. The second-grade sister returned with one of her cousins and two other classmates. They all loved Jared and talked about the pets they have at home. The counselor and therapists told us they saw a big difference in the children's demeanor. They needed to be kids and not answer serious questions about their feelings. They saw a lighting of the moods and felt a sense of calmness and more normal behaviors after visiting with the dogs. The teachers, counselors, and therapists thanked us and praised the dogs for helping the kids feel more like kids again.
 On a recent Wednesday, a 2nd-grade student in Mrs. Lundy's class at Troy Heritage Trail Elementary School in Joliet, Illinois, sits on a carpet softly reading "Clifford, the Big Red Dog" to Nigel's ear and gently petting his head. The story doesn't matter as much as Nigel's comforting presence and the ability to "listen" without judgment and interruptions. LCC Kare 9® Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Squad) with his veteran handler Gene Weisbecker (U.S. Navy) and Nigel (LCC Staff) with his veteran handler Jim Morrison (U.S. Army) have been visiting the school monthly for over two years to help 1st and 2nd-grade students with their reading skills. Teacher Melissa Lundy started the program four years ago when she taught first grade. She brought it to second-graders when she transferred grade levels this year. During COVID, the students read to the dogs virtually.  "I saw a huge increase in anxiety over reading in the students," says Melissa. "The biggest benefit of having the Comfort Dogs is that reluctant readers and those who struggle reading feel safe and comfortable when they are with the dogs. All their anxiety and nervousness go away. They read at their own pace, and if they make a mistake, the dogs don't know. They don't judge." Brutus and Nigel rotate between classrooms throughout the day, and the students take turns reading and snuggling up to them. In Mrs. Russell's room, the students read hand-written notes to Brutus about their favorite parts of him visiting their classroom. Emily wrote: "I enjoy petting Brutus because he's so fluffy and he loves hugs. When I hug him, it feels like fluffy heaven. When I read to him, it makes me feel like I really accomplished something. Brutus makes me happy!!!"
Some students shared that it almost looks like the dogs might be smiling when they are reading to them. The dogs are a huge motivator. Melissa sees a significant improvement in the students reading developmental skills. And on the days they visit, all the students come to school. "We have perfect attendance," says Melissa. The teachers send home pictures of the kids with the dogs, and often they are the topic of the conversation at the dinner table. The kids are eager to share their day with the comfort dogs and what they learned about them from the handlers. Helping the students with their reading skills is the primary goal of having the comfort dogs at school, but they also help with the kids' socio-emotional learning. Those kids who don't have pets learn how to approach and interact with them and that you can get affection from an animal.
Comfort Dogs in school - something that seems so small but makes such a big difference.
Hundreds of thousands of people in southern Turkey and northern Syria continue to be displaced and in need of basic supplies following a series of devastating earthquakes and aftershocks in February. To help people who are struggling with rebuilding their lives, Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) has partnered with Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) to bring emergency assistance along with the message of comfort and hope found in Jesus Christ. Through generous donations from supporters of both organizations, this partnership has already provided basic necessities to nearly 12,000 people during February and March.
“For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.” Psalm 22:24 On February 6, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake and aftershocks hit Turkey and the surrounding regions. Exactly two weeks later, on February 20, a 6.3 magnitude quake shook the same area, bringing further destruction, additional deaths, and more injuries. According to Reuters, as of March 13, the death toll in Turkey has risen to 48,448. The combined death toll, including those killed in Syria, has climbed to more than 54,000. The earthquake and subsequent powerful tremors injured more than 115,000 in Turkey, leaving millions sheltering in tents or seeking to move to other cities. Every day people are tasked with looking for food and necessities to survive.  Rev. Chris Singer, Lutheran Church Charities President & CEO, has been working with President Kurt Buchholz of Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) on ways to bring assistance and the hope found in Jesus Christ to people in Turkey and Syria who are directly impacted by this catastrophic disaster. “I am excited to work with President Kurt Buchholz and the great ministry of LHM. In the face of such dire and large scale need we find our help will be better together,” shares Rev. Singer. “Much of the news has highlighted that people in this devastation feel forgotten. But we know that the Lord is attentive to their cries of suffering (Psalm 22:24). LCC can bring them mercy, compassion, and assurance with your help. Let’s bring hope together!” Your Financial Donations Can Assist Lives Directly Impacted! Lutheran Hour Ministries is incorporating a holistic approach to sharing God’s love by attending to people’s physical and emotional needs as well as their spiritual needs. They are currently gathering emergency supplies to be sent to a partner church in Turkey for distribution to people affected by the earthquakes. Often the recipients of holistic efforts like this desire to learn more about God through Christians moved to reach out in love.
Join LCC in praying for our brothers and sisters in Turkey and Syria, as well as for the safety of the dedicated first responders, to remain strong in faith during these difficult times. LCC never charges those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need.
Note: LCC is not collecting items to ship, only financial donations to cover the cost of shipping and the purchase of additional needed supplies.
 As part of their Silver Award for Girl Scouts, Elizabeth, and Paige chose to honor the “Unsung Heroes” of the Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy that occurred in 2021. They picked the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and the Police K9s. Elizabeth and Paige created flyers and social media posts and even got the word out on news media channels that they were collecting donations of items for K9 working dogs.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Charity (Brookfield - Brookfield, Wisconsin) and her handler was there to accept the gift box of donations from the Girls Scout Troop. The donations came from businesses in the area and caring people from across the nation. We have been blessed beyond measure and will continue the great mission of helping those in need. On Friday, April 14, LCC Kare 9® Military Ministry Dog Nigel (LCC Staff) and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog-in Training Lazarus were present to bring love, mercy and compassion to the exhibitors and attendees at the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce Senior Fair. The K-9s greeted close to 500 people who attended the fair. As always, the Comfort Dogs were recognized by many who had met our ministry in the past.
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