Lutheran Church Charities President/CEO Chris Singer, along with Eric Wendelbo and Mark Holt of the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Team from Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Persis, with K-9 handlers Roxy and Steve Hurry (a retired police officer) of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministries Team from King of Kings Lutheran Church inGlenpool, Oklahoma, were on the ground in Fordyce, Arkansas, on Tuesday to be with survivors of the mass shooting, families impacted by the tragedy, and community first responders.

The team set up the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion memorial site near the parking lot of the Mad Butcher grocery store, where 4 residents were killed and 10 others wounded last Friday. Two of the injured are law enforcement officers. The site, which is now adorned with flowers and candles, attracted onlookers who signed the hearts and crosses with words of hope and peace. 

As the team visited the local hospital, funeral home, and sheriff's office to express the love of Christ and offer comforting care through their presence, they witnessed encouragement begin to overcome the palpable sense of fear and concern that had gripped the community in the days after the tragedy.

Some of the highlights of the day:

• At the Dallas County Medical Center, where one of the victims, Callie Weems, worked as a nurse, a Heart of Mercy & Compassion was delivered for the nursing staff (pictured) to sign for Callie’s family and received warmly. The nurses recalled that Weems, 23, died helping another gunshot victim. "Instead of fleeing the store, she stopped to render aid in one of the most selfless acts I've ever seen," they said.
• Also at the Dallas County Medical Center, the team took the opportunity to check in on patients. One elderly gentleman, who had been hospitalized for an extended period, lit up with a huge smile when LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Persis entered the room. His nurse and daughter remarked, "He hasn’t smiled since he was admitted." The joy Persis brought him was truly heartwarming.
• At the local funeral home, the director and the coroner (pictured) took a moment to sit down with the team. They shared how the tragic deaths from the shooting had overwhelmed them, resulting in four additional funerals to a full schedule. Each life lost prematurely was someone they knew, loved, and cared about deeply. The team extended their visit, spending extra time talking with and ministering to the funeral home employees.
• At the pharmacy next-door to the Mad Butcher grocery store, one of the employees (pictured) had been working when the shooting occurred. She expressed her gratitude to the team for visiting and for the peace that Persis's visit had brought her. Additionally, she took the time to visit the HMC memorial site and conveyed her appreciation to the team for bringing the hearts and crosses to her community.
• At the HMC memorial site later in the day, the LCC team received word that the daughter of victim Roy Sturgis had visited the display and inscribed on her daddy's heart “your little girl,” (pictured) right next to his name.  
• Also at the memorial site, another resident shared with her about LCC and our purpose for being there, and she responded, 'I want them to know how grateful we are.'" 
• The team interacted with multiple members of the media while in Fordyce. KARK 4, the NBC affiliate in Little Rock, interviewed LCC President Chris Singer at the memorial site, quoting him as saying, "God cares about Fordyce." The CBS affiliate for Northwest Arkansas, 5News, highlighted Pastor Singer reminding the community that "even though there’s darkness and evil in this world, there’s still a lot of light and love." 

In June, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry continued its support of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) with 11 teams attending the annual C.O.P.S. Kids Camp in Wisconsin. Camp attendees are children who have lost a parent or guardian in the line of duty. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and handlers provide comfort and support to the children during counseling sessions, surrounding them with love, comfort, and security that comes from God.

The 11 LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams were:
LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Candace of LCC Staff
LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Dora of LHSAGM in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Julia of King of Glory in Elgin, Illinois
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Charity of Brookfield Lutheran in Brookfield, Wisconsin
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Hannah of LCC Staff
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Mary of St. Paul's Lutheran in Janesville, Wisconsin
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Rejoice in St. Paul's Lutheran in Janesville, Wisconsin
LCC K-9 Comfort Tobias of Lord of Glory in Grayslake, Illinois
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs in Training Meshach, Olive and Saul

Each year, between 140 and 160 officers die in the line of duty and their families and co-workers are left to cope. C.O.P.S., which has a membership of more than 80,000 survivors nationwide, provides resources to help them rebuild their lives after losing a loved one.

Each summer, C.O.P.S. Kids Camp provides families a relaxed setting removed from everyday life. Often, young children who lose a parent do not have a safe, comfortable place to share their struggles with their peers. C.O.P.S. Kids Camp offers that, as well as a place for parents/guardians to do the same.

While the camp helps attendees to process and cope with loss, the experience impacts LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry handlers too. Here are some reflections of their time spent this year with the children, parents and counseling staff:

• “It was a blessing to help out with C.O.P.S. Kids Camp again this year. We joined this ministry in 2019, so a lot of people know LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Candace from past years. We had lots of good personal visits with both children and surviving spouses. Two of the spouses lost their husbands less than a year ago, so this was their first time at the camp. They both said they weren’t sure what to expect but that they were glad that they came. Their kids also were glad they came. The comfort dog business cards are so popular; the kids love collecting them. We stayed both afternoons, and on Tuesday, we attended the campfire and the skits in the evening. It provided us with more opportunities to visit and chat — and most importantly, to listen. We received so many thank-yous for being at the camp with Candace."  - Handler of LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Candace
• "A young boy we spent time with lost his dad. He didn’t want to talk much so he just petted Hannah for an hour. I told him I would turn off my hearing aids if he just wanted to whisper in her ears. “Hannah keeps secrets and feels your love,” I told him. So he did. Very special young man. He looked up and smiled and said thanks." - Handler of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Hannah
• "I had never been to the airport before [with my LCC K-9 Comfort Dog], so I got to see how the campers are greeted. It was amazing! Two or three members of law enforcement greeted campers at their gate, got their bags, and brought them back to the reception area. They sat down to talk with them and play games. We met many of these law enforcement greeters. The first child that sat down with Tobias had been in one of the counseling sessions we joined at last year's camp. I had long conversations with three mothers. Many of the officers who have died in the line of duty are male, so it's the moms who are left behind to raise the kids. I know the kids call dad their hero, but their moms are heroes too. These women display so much courage and strength, and it really moved me.   - Handler of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Tobias
• "I was with the 10-year-olds that were sharing their memory books of their parents that passed away. You could tell the kids really enjoyed sharing their photos and memories and the counselors did a great job at helping process some different emotions. All the kids listened to each other and asked questions about each other’s parents.  After sharing, they each got to spend some time with Saul and love and hug him."  - Handler of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog in training Saul
• "We were in the craft room where the kids and their guardians had time to create crafts. It was sweet to see how the kids had bonded and were running around looking for their friends. It was also sweet to see how the parents had also made friendships with each other. We had a young boy that kept coming back to show Abednego the craft he had created, and he told me all about his pets back home. There was a lot of closeness within all the people there.  - Handler of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog in training Abednego​

Myra has begun visits at Orchard Village where she interacts with the many mentally challenged participants in the program.  These men and women are so loving, always have questions about Myra and her job, and enjoy conversing with the handler and ministry partner as they pet and love on Myra. 

One young man volunteers at an animal shelter and he is always eager to talk about his work there and the interaction with the dogs.  Another man loves to have his picture taken with Myra each time we are there.  It is such a pleasure and so much fun to visit with this group of men and women and wish them well in their daily endeavors. 

After Myra spends time with each of them she lays down and several of the participants sit with her; she loves it as much as they do.

The Following LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry  teams shared love and support to the attendees:
 
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Claudia & Lazarus (Trinity - Toledo, Ohio)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Damascus (St. Paul - Napoleon, Ohio)
LCC K9 Comfort Dog Lizzie (Trinity - Savannah, Georgia)

We had an incredible time at the Summer Carnival for our K-9 Apprentice Trainers and the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs in-training!

Our celebration was packed with fun, fellowship, and fantastic food! The potluck was a hit, with everyone bringing their favorite summer dishes to share. We decorated with a carnival theme, complete with colorful balloons and streamers!

It was a joy to see all the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs in training together and participating at the event: Sharon, Shamgar, Bethesda, Eternity, Honey, Gethsemane, Glory, Zechariah, Shadrach, Olive, Zion, Meshach, Abednego, and Saul. Each dog brought so much joy and comfort, showcasing their training and their wonderful personalities.

Our Apprentice Trainers work tirelessly throughout the year, and this carnival was our way to give back and celebrate their hard work and dedication. The volunteer apprentice trainers currently serve in four different classes in either the Northbrook,  Illinois, or East Dundee, Illinois, training location. It is important for us to all gather together to support each other and lift each other up as we share one mission. Apprentice trainers are a vital component to the ministry as they foster, train, and socialize the dogs from eight weeks old until placement. 

As we enjoyed the festivities, we were reminded of the beautiful fellowship we share and the joy that comes from serving others. A fitting verse for our time together is Romans 12:10 - "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." This encapsulates the spirit of our Comfort Dog ministry and the selfless service of our trainers.

Thank you to everyone who made the Summer Carnival a success!

Explore becoming a volunteer Apprentice Trainer with Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry.