UPDATE: On Thursday, July 10, Deaconess Kathy O'Day, director of LCC Disaster Response, and Denise Snider, director of LCC Human Care, will lead teams of volunteers in the Texas Hill Country to bring comfort, care, and support to LCMS churches, first responders, and community residents affected by the July 4 flash-flooding. Joining them will be Jason Johnson, Disaster Crisis Response and Volunteer Engagement Coordinator. 

​A team from Gloria Dei Houston will meet them there — with LERT-trained volunteers working with Deac. O'Day and Johnson, and Spiritual First Aid™- trained volunteers going with Snider.

Two K-9 Comfort Dog teams also will deploy Thursday evening:
- Team Elijah from Our Redeemer Wichita Falls, Texas, with Eddie Carlton (retired police) and Willie Reneau
- Team Joy from Gloria Dei Houston with Karen and Kim Gastler

The home base for ministry work this week will be at Hosanna Lutheran Kerrville.

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Lutheran Church Charities President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer announced Monday that LCC is planning to deploy to the Texas Hill Country to BE THERE to offer HOPE TO THE HURTING after catastrophic rains, rapid rises in river levels, and massive flash flooding overwhelmed multiple communities over the July 4 weekend. The tragic weather event took the lives of more than 100 people, including dozens of children at campgrounds along the Guadalupe River basin.

LCC has been invited by Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Texas District President Rev. Dr. Jon Braunersreuther and Texas District Disaster Response Coordinators Julie Tucker and David Ricks as soon as it is safe to travel and perform much-needed ministry work.

“The scope of this disaster is massive, both in lives tragically lost and the wide area that has been impacted,” Rev. Singer said. “Our hearts are broken at the devastation. Lives have been upended and torn apart. We are praying fervently and eager to be on-site to help as soon as possible.”



Search and rescue operations continue with around-the-clock response from local, state, and national first responders. Hundreds of officers and support staff are working in Kerr County and the region northwest of San Antonio known for its rolling hills and winding rivers.

LCC staff — plus LCC volunteers in Texas and Oklahoma — are standing by to mobilize and travel to affected areas.



LCC is prepared to lend Disaster Response expertise and send LCC Care Teams trained in Spiritual First Aid™ to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual care to those affected by this ongoing tragedy.

With several roads and bridges washed out, travel around Kerrville and the surrounding region is limited. LCC is planning to send K-9 Comfort Dog and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion teams as soon as it can.

This week, LCC is focusing its assistance on serving the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Texas District, plus working alongside LCMS pastors and congregations participating in community care efforts, including Kerrville, Boerne, San Antonio, and Houston. 

Rev. Singer has been in communication with LCMS district officials, while the directors from all four LCC ministry areas are talking daily with pastors in the region, assessing locations in the region to bring comfort and care.

Weather is another factor impacting deployment plans. The Texas Hill Country continues to see a pattern of rainstorms throughout the week.

Working with Hosanna Kerrville and other LCMS churches in the area, plus San Antonio and Austin, LCC is aggregating local resources to help residents, while preparing LCC volunteers when they arrive to help.

LCC can provide this assistance because of faithful, generous donors and volunteers who are willing to support and serve. 

“The financial support you can offer right now will go directly to helping families and LCMS congregations in the Texas Hill Country and bring HOPE TO THE HURTING,” Rev. Singer said. 

Over the past few days, a powerful truth has emerged—God placing the right people in the right places at precisely the right time. His guidance has been evident throughout the response to a tragic incident that deeply affected the Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, community.

The ambush occurred on Sunday, June 29th. As firefighters responded to a brush fire, the perpetrator opened fire on them, killing two firefighters and injuring another. The attack took place on Canfield Mountain, a popular hiking and biking area in Idaho, and was later revealed to be a premeditated act intended to lure first responders to the scene.

At Christ the King Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene, handlers and ministry partners with Redeemer Lutheran in nearby Spokane, Washington, home to Isaac Comfort Dog immediately mobilized, gathering resources and praying for ways to serve. They extended an invitation to the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC)  team from Redeemer Lutheran to join in supporting the grieving community.

One member of Christ the King, who also serves as a chaplain for the Coeur d’Alene Police Department, became a vital connection to the families of the fallen firefighters. In an unexpected but clearly divine development, a connection was also made to the mother-in-law of David Tysdal, the injured firefighter.

The churches were soon connected with the Red and Blue Foundation, which invited them to participate in their July 4th community event. This provided a platform to distribute Hearts of Mercy & Compassion and invite the community to share messages of support and love. The Red and Blue Foundation, which took the lead in managing donations and maintaining contact with the affected families, played a central role in this collaboration.

A logistical challenge soon arose—all members of the Redeemer Lutheran HMC team were scheduled to be out of town for the holiday. However, God's provision was already in motion. As preparations continued, two future Comfort Dog handlers from Christ the King—Dave and Darcy—stepped in to help. Their support ensured that the hearts and crosses would be delivered to the people who needed them most.

Although the July 4th parade was canceled at the last minute, the Red and Blue Foundation quickly relocated the event. On Independence Day, many heartfelt moments unfolded around the HMCs:

• Ben, a firefighter from Station 4 and a member of the Foundation, was visibly moved by the hearts. He expressed how much the gesture meant to the families and community and offered to serve as a point of contact for future heart deliveries.
• A dispatch supervisor who stopped by was touched by the community’s outpouring of support through the ministry.
• A local waitress shared that many firefighters regularly dine at the restaurant where she works. She expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to sign a heart and honor the fallen heroes.
• Karen, a woman who lives near the site of the ambush and knew one of the victims personally, also has ties to David Tysdal’s family. She was deeply moved by the ministry’s presence and its message of compassion.

Lutheran Church Charities has been watching developments in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, this week after a gunman started a wildfire and fatally shot two firefighters and wounded another over the weekend. ​

LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer has been in contact with Rev. Dan Deuel, Senior Pastor of Christ the King Lutheran in Coeur d’Alene. The church and some of its congregants are in an area that was locked down during the law enforcement investigation this week.  

Members of Christ the King are handlers and ministry partners with Redeemer Lutheran in nearby Spokane, Washington, home to Isaac Comfort Dog. 

“LCC stands ready to support the community of Coeur d’Alene with K-9 visits, human care assistance, and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion during this concerning and anxious time,” Singer said.

Yesterday, Isaac Comfort Dog and his handlers comforted residents as they joined the community in a salute to the slain first responders. The observance, which lined streets and overpasses from Spokane to Coeur d’Alene, took place as the fallen firefighters were transported between the Medical Examiner’s office to a local funeral home. 

"We do love our communities (Spokane/Couer d'alene). We were able to visit with many community members," said Julie Blyckert, top dog for Issac Comfort Dog.

After the procession, the fires chiefs from both cities issued a statement (shown below) thanking the communities for an overwhelming show of support.

Tonight, Christ the King will invite the community to a prayer service for the firefighters. Team Isaac will be on hand.

After being present and encouraging the mountain town Ruidoso, New Mexico, at a Community Care Event in June, the teams for K-9 Comfort Dog Persis and K-9 Comfort Dog Elijah visited children, hospital staff, and memory care residents, bringing smiles and hope after wildfires and flooding displaced many residents in 2024.

For memory care resident Myra of Goodlife Assisted Living, the two LCC golden retrievers brought back memories of past family pets.

“Oh, I remember what our dog was like,” she said, gasping with delight and smiling broadly. “I miss the feeling of petting their fur.”

Persis and Elijah took turns with their paws in her lap as she sat in her recliner and stroked their heads and backs.

Later that morning, the dogs and their handlers stopped by the Ruidoso Boys & Girls Club, delivering LCC K-9 coloring books and K-9 business cards. Students at the club took turns in small groups cuddling with Persis and Elijah and talking about how calm the dogs were during the visit.

The students eagerly lined up for a group photo with the dogs to remember the special treat of seeing them almost a year ago.

That afternoon, across town at the Lincoln County Medical Center, hospital staffers were eager to having wagging tails and wet noses become a surprise in their day.

With handlers Steve and Roxy Hurry of Christ the Redeemer Lutheran in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Lynette Lackey and Joanne Kurtz of Our Redeemer Lutheran in Wichita Falls, Texas, the dogs made their own rounds that afternoon, visiting the ER and Oncology departments while saying hello to patients and family members lounging in the waiting room.

“We were honored to come back and be here,” said Steve Hurry. “Ruidoso has been through so much over the last 12 months. The dogs have helped start conversations and open up people who are closed off or have bottled up emotions.”

The Hurrys will return to the community again in early July for Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church’s Camp Courage Vacation Bible School.    

At Faith Lutheran Church in Carpentersville, the Care Team is lovingly preparing the Hospitality House to welcome a family in need. Every detail—from gentle repairs and fresh new flooring on the second floor to cozy new furniture and beautifully tended front and backyards—is thoughtfully crafted to create a safe, inviting place where the family can relax, children can play, and hope can grow.

But this is just the beginning. The team is building strong connections with other LCMS churches, local schools, and nonprofit organizations to surround the family with a caring community of support. As they start accepting housing applications, the Care Team will walk alongside the family with compassion and encouragement, sharing the mercy and love of Jesus every step of the way.

Your prayers and support mean the world to this ministry. If you feel led to give, your generosity will help provide a loving, stable home where families can find healing and a fresh start. Together, we’re opening doors—and hearts—to brighter futures.

Join us in making a difference. Donate today to the Hospitality House ministry and help us create a place where families can find hope, love, and a new beginning.

From June 15–17, the 88th Readiness Division hosted more than 700 U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers and their families in Minneapolis for a pre-deployment Yellow Ribbon event. Focused on supporting units preparing for upcoming overseas missions—including the 452nd Combat Support Hospital, 113th Medical Company, 1872nd Medical Detachment, 163rd Ordnance Company, 361st Press Camp Headquarters, and the 376th Financial Management Support Unit—the event offered critical resources, guidance, and community connection to those preparing to serve abroad.

Among the many supportive elements of the weekend was the comforting presence of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams with Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, Wisconsin), Gethsemane (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois), Gideon (St. Michael’s - Bloomington, Minnesota), and Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois).

These four-legged ambassadors of compassion and their handlers provided not just comfort, but connection—offering smiles, calm, and a sense of peace in a weekend filled with emotion and transition.

"The Best Booth Here!"
Chelsi Todd reflected, “It was an honor to be present... I can’t even count the number of times I was told, ‘this is the best booth here!’” As service members and families moved between their information-packed breakout sessions, many made a point to pause at the K-9 booth—sometimes multiple times. Faces that looked weary or apprehensive would light up as they rounded the corner to see golden tails wagging in welcome.

Chelsi shared a particularly touching story about a family with two young girls. The children were drawn to the dogs and came back to visit throughout the weekend. One of the girls proudly showed a stuffed animal she’d named “GG” after Gethsemane, wearing a hand-drawn bandana. Their father is deploying close to the older daughter’s birthday, and the comfort the girls received from the K-9s gave the parents much-needed reassurance as they attended training.

"It’s Going to Be Different"
Pam Lienemann, who has supported several Yellow Ribbon events over the years, shared how this event—one of the largest and most organized yet—highlighted the deep emotional landscape of deployment. She noticed three distinct groups: seasoned service members carrying quiet strength, first-timers full of nerves and questions, and repeat deployers now facing separation with young children for the first time.

“One mom said, ‘We’ve done this before—but not with kids. This time it’s going to be different,’” Pam recalled. And still, the dogs offered a refuge. “This is the most relaxing place here today,” many attendees told her, often stopping by between sessions for a quiet moment of peace.

Smiles Beyond the Uniform
The K-9s’ reach even extended to the stage. Chelsi met Szu-Yu Chu, a service member and National Anthem singer who recently moved from Taiwan. Before and after her performance, she made a beeline for the dogs. “She laid down with Gethsemane and Tobias and melted with them,” Chelsi shared. “She couldn’t have been more happy to be surrounded by golden love.”

A Ripple Effect of Service
For handler Becky Kilvinger, the experience highlighted the unseen layers of military life. “We had conversations with those who selflessly give up everything to defend our country. We met families whose worlds are changed because of service. We saw the ripple effect.”

As Soldiers walked past the booth after emotionally heavy sessions, their expressions would transform as they saw the dogs. “We had many frequent flyers,” Becky said. “I think being that source of joy, light and relaxation during the day kept those coming back time and time again.”

Gratitude in Action
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry team didn’t just show up—they showed up. With empathy, kindness, and a deep respect for the sacrifices made by service members and their families, they helped transform a weekend of preparation into one also filled with peace, healing, and heartfelt connection.
As Jenni put it, “I hope we conveyed what we felt—that we recognize and honor their service, and we will remember them.”

In the warm desert landscape of La Quinta, California, the LCMS Pacific Southwest District came together for its 2025 Convention at the serene La Quinta Resort & Club. Held from June 25–27, the event brought pastors, lay leaders, and ministry partners together for a time of essential business, worship, inspiration, and deep fellowship.

Beyond the elections, reports, and conversations shaping the future of the district, the event provided a unique opportunity for reflection and renewal. A meaningful part of that renewal came through the presence of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams, who made the journey to La Quinta to offer peace, encouragement, and connection.

With calm demeanor and steady companionship, the Comfort Dogs and their handlers were a constant presence throughout the convention. Whether offering a quiet break from the heat, a listening ear, or a warm welcome to attendees navigating a busy schedule, the teams helped create space for rest and renewal.

“We had some really good visits with PSD pastors and lay leaders,” shared Bobby, one of the Comfort Dog team members. “I’m hopeful some of these churches will see the benefit of starting a team of their own. Sometimes those who do the ministering need ministry themselves—and our dogs can be a bridge to that.”

Throughout the event, questions came from curious attendees: What’s the process to start a Comfort Dog team? Where do the dogs go on visits? How do we build a ministry like this in our own church? Being able to share firsthand experiences while offering immediate comfort gave real depth to the ministry’s presence.
Anna reflected, “I hope we planted some seeds in Southern California. It was also fun to be a spot for pastors’ kids and spouses to rest. Their support in ministry is so valuable, and they deserve love and care too.”

From moments of laughter with children to conversations with pastors and resort employees, the Comfort Dog teams witnessed a wide spectrum of emotions. As Jeanne shared, “It was a joy to serve alongside other West Coast teams, to listen to attendees’ stories, and to talk about LCC’s other ministries as well. We’re part of something much bigger.”

For Cheri, this convention held a personal and powerful moment: “God reconnected me with a very special person in my life—someone I had been trying to find for three years. When I saw him in the hallway, I knew this was why I was here. It wasn’t a coincidence. It was a Christ-driven moment, and I’ll never forget it.”

The Comfort Dog Ministry once again proved that their presence isn't just about comfort—it's about connection, purpose, and being exactly where God places you in the lives of others.

From June 26–29, 2025, women from across the nation gathered in Omaha, Nebraska, at the CHI Health Center for the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) Convention. With the theme “Growing in God’s Grace” drawn from 2 Peter 3:18, the convention was a powerful blend of worship, witness, and fellowship. It was also a time when the Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry was present—not just in appearance, but in purpose, prayer, and presence.

Together, the Comfort Dog teams brought something uniquely beautiful: quiet moments of peace in a bustling convention hall, sacred conversations sparked by gentle interactions, and visible reminders of God’s love with every paw step.

As handler Ryan with Meshach Comfort Dog shared, the weekend was marked by connection:
“Between people and Christ. Between dogs and guests. Between ministry partners, trainers, and women from every corner of the country. So many already knew the power of this ministry—others were just discovering it. And all left touched.”

Whether it was a reunion with a former puppy raiser, a first-time handshake that became a heartfelt conversation, or a passing smile exchanged with someone who simply needed it—God was in every moment.

It was clear to all who visited the Comfort Dog booth that these dogs were more than companions. They were ambassadors of Christ’s peace and vessels of His healing.

Carol, handler for Keren Comfort Dog, reflected: “It was a wonderful meeting of God-filled ladies who know and love our ministry. We connected with people we’d only known through emails and Facebook posts—this time, face to face. The tears that were shed were filled with joy.”

Each interaction was a testimony—quiet, Spirit-led, deeply impactful.

Throughout the weekend, the Comfort Dog teams heard stories of hope, loss, resilience, and miracles. One woman shared about her daughter’s near-death experience and how prayer had carried them through. With Phinehas Comfort Dog by her side, she recounted moments of desperation and God’s surprising grace. “As she spoke in that loud hall, somehow God gave me ears just for her,” Paula said. “It’s a blessing to be trusted with such stories.”

Meanwhile, team members like Dawn experienced moments where prayer extended far beyond conversation. When a woman named Linda collapsed outside the hotel one night, Dawn not only gave aid, but also sent a prayer request across the Comfort Dog network. The next day, Linda returned to the booth—healed, grateful, and eager to say thank you.

For many teams, the journey to Omaha was long—physically and emotionally. Connie with Eddie Comfort Dog admitted, “I thought it would be a hard day. Leaving at 6 AM, a long drive, a wet basement at home. But seeing how people respond—even to a sleeping Eddie—makes it all so worth it. God makes long days feel short when He fills them with purpose.”

Jessi, newer to the ministry, noted how refreshing it was to learn from other teams and to “be in a room full of women who love Jesus.” Marie echoed that, recalling countless smiles and moments of reunion—both canine and human.

As Marcia with Nicodemus Comfort Dog beautifully put it, “No disaster, no sadness—just a deployment of light meeting light. This was a foretaste of heaven.”

Indeed, the LWML Convention was a reminder that ministry is not just what we do in crisis—but what we do in joy, in presence, in the everyday rhythms of walking beside others.

In her message, President Eden Keefe encouraged each attendee to reflect on how God used them—and continues to use them—through Word and Sacrament, to grow in grace and proclaim His glory.
From the youngest attendees to seasoned volunteers, from first-time encounters to lifelong friendships, God’s glory was evident in Omaha.

As Warren with Eden Comfort Dog shared: “We met a woman who had just lost her own dog. She shed tears with Eden and received her love in return. This gathering reminded us how connected we all are in Christ.”

Thank you to the following LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams for showing up—despite the heat, the miles, and the long hours. Thank you for being a calming presence, a joyful face, and a living example of grace in motion.

As Angie said: “Being there reminded me how powerful and healing God’s love can be—even in the smallest, quietest moments.”

Devorah & Zacchaeus Comfort Dogs (Redeemer - Fort Collins, CO)
Eden Comfort Dog (Peace - Columbus, NE)
Eddie & Meshach Comfort Dogs (Peace - Grand Island, NE)
Glory Comfort Dog (Christ - Lincoln, NE)
Keren Comfort Dog (Immanuel - Ellsworth, KS)
Nicodemus Comfort Dog (The Rock - Seward, Nebraska)
Phinehas Comfort Dog (Trinity - Fremont, NE)

Let us continue to walk in this ministry with joy, trusting that in every step, every story, and every connection, God is working through us. Let us rejoice and be glad.