 Lutheran Church Charities Returns One Year Later to Stand with the Community One year after the devastating South Fork Fire and flash floods that swept through Ruidoso, New Mexico, destroying over 1,400 homes and businesses, the community is preparing to gather in remembrance—and in strength. As part of this special remembrance, Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) will return to Ruidoso to stand in solidarity with a community they first served in 2024, reaffirming their commitment to long-term care, healing, and hope. LCC is honored to participate in the event with LCC Community Care Event. "South Fork 2024 — United by Loss, Defined by Grit” Tuesday, June 17 | 5:30–8:00 p.m. | Winfield Park, 300 Center St., Ruidoso, NM This community-led remembrance event is a time to:
 A Year Ago: LCC’s Immediate Response
In the aftermath of the disaster, LCC deployed teams to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, offering both practical assistance and emotional support. Their response included:
“Pastor Jason Rust of Shepherd of the Hills reached out and said, ‘We want to help our neighbors—but we don’t know how,’” recalled Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President and CEO. “We came to stand with them, train them, and remind them that healing is possible through Christ. And now, we return to remind them they are not forgotten.” You Can Help Us Keep Showing UpL CC’s mission is long-term. Our return to Ruidoso is just one example of how we continue to support communities long after headlines fade. Donate today to help LCC bring ongoing relief, care, and Christ-centered hope to those still rebuilding. Because remembering means returning—and healing happens when we walk together.  In the quiet of a Friday evening, the Baldwin Park, CA, community gathered with heavy hearts to remember a beloved public servant. Officer Samuel Riveros—a devoted husband, father, and dedicated member of the Baldwin Park Police Department—was honored at a solemn vigil on June 6, just days after his End of Watch on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Officer Riveros’s passing has left a profound void in the Baldwin Park Police Department and in the lives of those who knew and loved him. In response to the collective grief, the community was joined by a unique team of comfort and compassion: the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry. A Gentle Touch in a Time of Pain The vigil became more than just a tribute—it became a moment of healing. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Lois (First Good Shepherd - Las Vegas, Nevada), Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, California), and Salome (Faith Community - Las Vegas, Nevada), alongside their trained handlers offered silent support through warm eyes, soft fur, and a calming presence. The team helped create a space where officers, family members, and friends could begin to release the sorrow and shock that accompanies the loss of one of their own. James Casner, the Heart of Mercy & Compassion ministry representative and point person for the visit, reflected, “It never ceases to amaze me the tremendous opportunity we have to bond with our fellow human beings when we are out with our Comfort Dogs. We can help carry the burden of others… with our dogs as a bridge to sharing, listening, or sitting in silence.” Support Beyond the Frontlines The ministry’s outreach extended beyond the vigil. The team also visited the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner—often an overlooked group of first responders who bear the weight of tragedy behind closed doors. Both shifts of staff at the coroner’s office welcomed the time to simply sit, talk, and decompress with the dogs. Smiles surfaced. Shoulders eased. And, for a moment, healing began. One particularly moving moment came with a lieutenant from the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Investigators. “Her team deals with so much,” a handler shared. “She really needed the time to sit with the dogs and love on them and be loved in return.” The lieutenant had recently lost her own dog, making the visit all the more meaningful. A Community United in Grief and Grace In tragedy, Baldwin Park found a moment of peace through the quiet empathy of Comfort Dogs. Their presence reminded everyone—from uniformed officers to grieving citizens—that no one walks through grief alone.  LCC was blessed to have six affiliates from six states at the Replacement Handler Training last weekend:
· Faith Community, Las Vegas, NV · Immanuel, Valparaiso, IN · Island Lutheran, Hilton Head, SC · Redeemer, Spokane Valley, WA · Shepherd of the Hills, Greenville, WI · St. Paul, Fort Worth, TX LCC is happy to welcome these wonderful individuals who have been called to go out and serve in their communities and share the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those hurting and in need. These new and dedicated volunteers 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. The new handlers also spent time praying together and becoming a family in Christ. We are excited to introduce the following new handlers who are now part of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry:
Additionally, Lutheran Church Charities is honored to welcome United States Air Force veteran Kevin Williams to the LCC Kare-9 Military Ministry. We give thanks for each of these new handlers and pray for their continued strength and faith as they go out to share God’s love and comfort through this special ministry.   When the leaders at Lord Of Glory Lutheran Church in Grayslake, IL, decided to pursue a second Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog, they knew it would be nearly a 2-year wait to meet their new canine. Eight days after that meeting, Gethsemane was born: July 6, 2023. On Sunday, after nearly two years of training, Gethsemane Comfort Dog officially joined Lord Of Glory, commissioned to bring her furry friendliness to the church’s ministry work and to share the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ. She is ready to share compassion and comfort to those who are hurting, lonely, or in need of a little tail-wagging encouragement. Twelve other LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs from three states traveled to celebrate the beautiful occasion, including Gethsemane’s Lord Of Glory ministry partner Tobias Comfort Dog. “I am looking forward to serving alongside so many of the teams that joined us to celebrate this special moment in my story,” Team Gethsemane shared on her Facebook account. “Thank you to everyone who supported me to get to this day.” On hand to join the celebration were: Abednego Comfort Dog, Immanuel Lutheran Crystal Lake, IL Caleb Comfort Dog, Immanuel Lutheran Valparaiso, IN Charity Comfort Dog, Brookfield Lutheran Brookfield, WI Grace Comfort Dog, LCC Staff Hannah Comfort Dog, LCC Staff Julia Comfort Dog, King Of Glory Lutheran Elgin, IL Mary Comfort Dog, St. Paul Lutheran Janesville, WI Myra Comfort Dog, St. Andrews Lutheran Park Ridge, IL Rejoice Comfort Dog, St. Paul Lutheran Janesville, WI Samson Comfort Dog, Zion Lutheran Marengo, IL Shadrach Comfort Dog, Prince Of Peace Lutheran Palatine, IL Tobias Comfort Dog, Lord Of Glory Grayslake, IL “It was the day we have looked forward to for many months,” said Nichole Todd, top dog for Team Gethsemane. “We can’t wait to see how God works through Gethsemane to bring comfort and connection in our community — and wherever we are called to serve.”  Last week in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, LCC Human Care staff continued to offer care for those impacted by the devastating apartment fire by joining the Multi-Agency Resource Center (aka MARC) hosted by the Red Cross of Wisconsin. This gathering allowed the survivors to connect with organizations offering critical resources and guidance for recovery and healing.
LCC's team provided tangible aid as well as emotional and spiritual care through Spiritual First Aid™. Survivors opened up about their trauma and shared how they were overwhelmed by the magnitude of their loss. In one moment, a survivor began showing signs of a panic attack. SFA-trained LCC Care Team members used breathing and grounding techniques to help the person find a calmer state of mind. Red Cross of Wisconsin remembered Lutheran Church Charities bringing Hearts of Mercy & Compassion after the Waukesha Christmas Parade Attack in November 2021 and asked for LCC to bring them again. At the Milwaukee event, attendees signed Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, a physical and spiritual symbol of hope and care that will be presented to the families who lost loved ones in the tragic fire. As one woman approached the heart, she broke down in uncontrollable tears. Through her sobs, she shared that her sister was one of the victims, and that she would be taking the heart home to honor her memory. She explained that her family was planning a small celebration of her sister’s life. The heart, she said, will be placed at the center of their table as a symbol of the care and compassion their community has shown during this difficult time. Though still visibly shaken, she expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support and kindness surrounding her family. The LCC Care Team will continue to connect survivors to neighboring congregation Hope Lutheran Church, where Pastor Dennis Harmon will open the church for a Community Care Event to provide food, basic need items, and ongoing grief support. LCC Disaster Response shares Christ’s love with debris cleanup after Missouri tornadoes.  The three uprooted trees were so massive, they fell across the yards belonging to two women in Springfield, Missouri. One of the trees — a sycamore — was large enough that its root ball measured 10 feet tall with a 4-foot diameter trunk. Neither of the two women, one of whom is a widow, knew how to clean up the mess from last month’s tornado — or how they would afford to pay for it. Amid a pouring rain, they couldn’t believe that LERT volunteers from Lutheran Church Charities would volunteer to do the work and clean up the debris for free, and do it with smiling faces. They were so happy and cried tears of joy as the team gave each of them a slice of the tree with a cross and their signatures on it. On one of the slices, they wrote: “Mom’s Tree” in memory of the felled giant that Mrs. P’s mom had planted in 1963. The women gave each team member hugs and expressed their heartfelt gratitude. Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response returned on Saturday from a one-week deployment in Springfield, Missouri, completing 18 sites and logging 335 volunteer hours. Led by Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, the team checked on 134 sites that Katie Kovach, Greene County Emergency Manager, asked the team to survey.
Afterward, Kovach sent a short note of appreciation that stated: “I can’t thank your guys enough for all your hard work. It’s really amazing what you’ve been able to accomplish. You are a huge blessing to our community!” One site was a family farm that had several trees down on their roof, on and through the barn, and several uprooted on their property. The homeowner, Mr. B., and neighbors worked with the team to clear as much of this site they could in the rain. He sent a note of thanks that stated: “Please extend my thanks to the team for all your help. I’m sorry they had to work in the rain most of the time, but they did it so willingly. I am very blessed to have had all your help in making this gigantic job so much smaller. God Bless You All!” LCC Disaster Response and Kris Schuldt, Missouri District Disaster Response Coordinator, extend their thanks to the following LERT team members serving in Springfield this past week: Immanuel Lutheran, Batavia, IL – Bill Pietsch Lord of Life Lutheran, Elburn, IL – Max Metz, Dave Smercina, Jeff Straughn, Larry Zagorski St. Peter Lutheran, Schaumburg, IL – Missy Dieckmann, Ken and Vicki Kiviranta St. Paul Lutheran, Janesville, WI – Lark and Terry Sanders “It has been a blessing to serve and bring the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need after this tornado,” O’Day said. “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me.’” – Isaiah 6:8
 Training with Purpose Apprentice Trainers commit to raising a Comfort Dog in training for 18 to 24 months, guiding them through early socialization, obedience training, and consistent daily care. Each dog completes more than 2,000 hours of preparation before being placed in ministry—and behind every hour is a volunteer answering God's call. Becky Kolzow, an LCC K-9 Trainer for seven years, reflects on just how vital these volunteers are to the mission: “Without the apprentice trainers opening their homes and their hearts... we would not be able to place as many dogs as we do.” Apprentice Trainers don’t just shape the dogs—they’re shaped by the experience themselves. Patience deepens, faith grows, and hearts open.
Whether in classrooms or community centers, grocery stores or grief groups, Joan has witnessed how Comfort Dogs open hearts. “It’s amazing how many times someone starts petting the dog and then shares something personal. The dog just lets them release that.” Growing in Faith, Walking in Love The act of training a Comfort Dog is deeply relational and spiritual. Every walk, every command, every interaction becomes an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love—and be transformed by it. Gina Grant shared how the ministry has drawn her closer to God: “This work has helped me focus on how God calls us to serve others with humility and grace. There are days when training is hard, but then I think about what this dog will do one day, and I find strength in prayer and purpose.” For Chris Jensen, training Comfort Dogs has been a daily spiritual practice: “When I pray before we head out for training or visits, I’m reminded that we are not just walking a dog—we are walking into someone’s life. I’ve learned to listen better, to be present, and to trust God more fully.” Faith becomes action, and action deepens faith. Strengthening Relationships, Building Community The LCC K-9 Ministry doesn’t just transform the dogs or their trainers—it weaves together a community rooted in love and support. Joan B. Katterjohn, a retired teacher, found not just purpose, but people: “I have made deep friendships with other trainers and handlers. We share joys, frustrations, and prayers. You don’t do this work alone—you become part of a family.” She’s also seen how her connection with each dog has been a bridge to others: “When people stop to pet the dog, they often open up about personal struggles. It’s a moment of real connection. And I’m always amazed at how God uses those simple interactions to do something powerful.” Chris echoed that sentiment: “This ministry has connected me with people I never would have met otherwise—from fellow trainers to the strangers who stop us in the park. Each conversation, each encounter, has reminded me that God is always working.” Lives Forever Changed Apprentice Trainers are essential to the mission of Lutheran Church Charities, preparing future Comfort Dogs that will one day walk into the lives of those who need God’s love the most. Being an Apprentice Trainer means more than teaching a dog to sit, stay, or heel. It means learning to listen to the Holy Spirit, to trust God’s timing, and to love without condition. It’s an invitation to walk by faith—sometimes literally—with a future Comfort Dog by your side. As apprentice trainer Chris Jensen shared, “This ministry has changed me. You can’t give this much of yourself and not be changed. God uses these dogs to grow us, just as we help grow them.” In a world often filled with noise, confusion, and pain, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry brings a clear message: you are not alone, you are loved, and God sees you. Our trainers help carry that message—one paw, one prayer, one person at a time. And while the Comfort Dogs go on to serve communities across the country, the trainers are never left unchanged. Their hearts are expanded. Their faith is deepened. Their lives are blessed. They are ordinary people who choose to say “yes” to an extraordinary calling—and their lives are richer for it. So when God asks, “Whom shall I send?” They answer—not with hesitation, but with humble courage: “Here I am. Send me.” Interested in becoming an Apprentice Trainer?
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Weekly Training Classes are held in Northbrook, Illinois and East Dundee, Illinois. If you live within 50 miles radius of the training locations and would like more information about the volunteer commitment needed we invite you to learn more. Visit https://www.lutheranchurchcharities.org/traink9s.html or contact us at [email protected] You just might find that by raising a Comfort Dog, God raises something new in you too. Since its founding in 2008, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry has expanded across the country, with more than 130 dogs placed in churches, schools, and ministries in 27 states. |
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