Blog Archives

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Help Students, Faculty, and Staff After Sudden Death of a Student

11/27/2018

On Monday, November 26, four LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams deployed to Long Island Lutheran High School in New York. They met with Principal Jessica Raba, who had invited the comfort dogs to come after the sudden death of a sophomore student. Bringing their unconditional love and comfort were LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Maggie (Christ the King – Newtown, Connecticut), Leah and Addie (Immanuel – Danbury, Connecticut) and Lily (Good Shepherd – Old Bridge, New Jersey), their handlers, and seven ministry partners from Trinity – Hicksville, New York (in the process of getting a K-9) with Pastor Hopkins from Trinity. The teams were present in the lobby to greet the students as they entered. The students had no idea the Comfort Dogs would be there to greet them. The smiles on the students’ faces were amazing. Mrs. Raba said she hadn't seen her students smile that way since the first day of school.

After a few periods, the teams moved into the common area where the students congregate and have lunch. The teams saw almost 300 students throughout the day. Many staff and administration came for some comfort as well.

The Comfort Dogs and ministry teams also met with some of the students who rode the bus with the student that passed. They shared that their bus driver had stopped just before getting to school and said a prayer since many of them had been sad before entering school today. Some of them came down later and joined us as we let the dogs play in the gym. To hear the laughter warmed the hearts of the ministry team and the staff.

God put us where we needed to be. The teams worked seamlessly together and it was a successful day. Lu-Hi, as they affectionately call their school, can't wait to have Trinity come back when they have their own LCC K-9 Comfort Dog, and look forward to a great partnership.

Please pray for the family of the student, all students, faculty, and staff as they look to Jesus to comfort them in their time of need.

Please pray for the family of the student, all students, faculty, and staff as they look to Jesus to comfort them in their time of need.

Donate - LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Fund

Kind Words for LCC

11/27/2018

The following email was received from Unity Lutheran Christian Elementary School in East St. Louis, Illinois, on Monday, November 26:

Thanks LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Esther (Holy Cross – Collinsville, Illinois) and Carol for visiting Unity today. The kids had a great time. They liked learning that Esther Comfort Dog goes to church every Sunday and to school every weekday. I was also very happy that the fourth graders looked up her Bible verse.

  Thank you again for a great morning.

Mary

The Gift of Presence

11/27/2018

The ministry team for LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Lizzie (Trinity – Savannah, Georgia) shares how Lizzie Comfort Dog is a bridge for compassionate ministry through the gift of being present:

One primary mission goal of Lutheran Church Charities and our ministry with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Lizzie at Trinity Lutheran Church in Savannah, Georgia, is presence. Many of Lizzie Comfort Dogs visits are regular events on the calendar. Each of those scheduled events mean that Lizzie Comfort Dog, her handler, and a ministry partner are going to show up. As handlers, we know the location of our visit but we don’t always know where God will direct our presence during that visit. The blessing is that we sometimes get to see the effect of that presence. Here are a few stories from the past few weeks that illustrate what happens when Lizzie Comfort Dog is invited to be present out in our community.

a group of students hugging a golden retriever

School Visit: A small boy comes to read with Lizzie Comfort Dog but his head is hanging down. He’s not interested in talking about why he is sad, so we head for our reading spot in the library. He lies down next to Lizzie and strokes her head. Every few words read are punctuated by a pet or a Lizzie hug. We have a short time together but after those few minutes, he looks back as he’s leaving and smiles, “See you next week!”

a golden retriever comfort dog receiving a hug

Nursing home: A couple is seated on chairs near the nursing station. They notice Lizzie Comfort Dog and we stop to visit. The nurse is in with their father so they are waiting. Would we be able to take Lizzie into their father’s room when the nurse is done? He is near death, they say, not talking anymore, but he always loved dogs. We enter with Lizzie and she does a “rise” near the man. The daughter places his hand on Lizzie’s head. He opens his eyes. ”Oh…a dog,” he sighs and pats Lizzie’s head. The family, the nurse, and we all have tears streaming. A moment of presence has been an unanticipated gift to all of us.

hand petting a golden retriever comfort dog

American Legion: After the funeral for a past commander for the American Legion Post, an unknown mourner came over. He didn’t speak but Lizzie Comfort Dogs presence was offered and received. When words are difficult, the gift of presence provides comfort and an outlet for grief.

Airport: New marine graduates from Paris Island are flying home before reporting to duty stations. Many have family members with whom to celebrate but not all of them. Such a sense of accomplishment to celebrate! It is perfectly acceptable to hug Lizzie Comfort Dog and tell her all about how much they have missed their home, their family, and maybe their own dog. We are present and witness what they have chosen to sacrifice for others and offer our congratulations and thanks.

comfort and kare 9 dog with armed forces member

Memory Care Facility: Lizzie Comfort Dog and handlers enter the day room. A few residents are sitting or moving about the room. We move close and ask, “Would you like to pet Lizzie?” Petting, smiles and then the questions: “Is this your dog? What’s her name? How old is she?” The same questions are asked every time often by the same people. We are not remembered from previous visits because life for them is in the present.

Donate - LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Fund

Visiting Navy Recruits for Thanksgiving

11/27/2018

LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Levi (Immanuel – East Dundee, Illinois) and Brutus (LCC Squad) visited recruits from Great Lakes Naval Training Station at the American Legion Post 208 in Arlington Heights, Illinois. 2018 marked the 20th consecutive year this American Legion Post has hosted a homemade Thanksgiving dinner and much more.

LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Britta, Butch, and Spike (LCC Squad) spent Thanksgiving morning with recruits from Great Lakes Naval Training Station at the McHenry Moose Lodge in McHenry, Illinois. The recruits enjoyed food games, cell phone time, and the Kare 9s for their first off base in six weeks.

The LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry also visited the Wauconda Moose Lodge in Wauconda, Illinois. Lots of love and comfort was shared for Thanksgiving.

Donate - Kare 9 Military Ministry Fund

Visitation & Funeral for Ruth Fromm

11/20/2018

On Monday, November 19 and Tuesday, November 20, the LCC K-9 Ministry attended the visitation and funeral for long-time supporter Ruth Fromm who was a member at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights, Illinois. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Ruthie (LCC Staff), Angel (St. John’s – La Grange, Illinois), JoJo (Living Christ – Arlington Heights, Illinois), Susie (St. Peter – Arlington Heights, Illinois) and Tobias (Lord of Glory – Grayslake, Illinois) and their handlers brought comfort to Ruth’s family and friends. Please pray for God’s comfort and peace for those who mourn her passing.

Donate - LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Fund

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Deployed in Response to the Mercy Hospital Shooting in Chicago, Illinois

11/20/2018

On Tuesday, November 20, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were invited by the Office of Emergency Management’s 911 Dispatch Center in Chicago, Illinois, to comfort dispatchers who took calls during the shootings at Mercy Hospital on Monday afternoon. A Chicago Police Officer, Pharmacy Resident, and Emergency Room Doctor where killed and many patients, hospital personnel, and first responders traumatized during the horrific ordeal.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Ruthie, Emma, Hannah (LCC Staff) and LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Susie (St. Peter – Arlington Heights, Illinois) immediately responded Tuesday morning to the invite to help those still struggling with this tragic event.

Please pray for the victims, their families and all first responders during this difficult time.

group of comfort dogs with handlers following mercy hospital shootings

Donate - LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Fund

LCC LERT Teams, LCC K-9 Ministry Teams, and Your Donations Bring Hope to Those Impacted by Hurricane Michael in Florida

11/20/2018

Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and thirty LERT Chainsaw team members arrived in Panama City, Florida on Saturday, November 10, to work out of Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Paul McComack and Pastor Ed Brashier, Southern District Disaster Coordinator. They were able to complete chainsaw work, roof tarping and debris removal at 29 sites, which included homes and churches in Panama City, Mexico Beach, and Southport, Florida.

CLICK HERE to watch a video from Pastor Paul McComack, Trinity Lutheran – Panama City, Florida, and Dave Schlesselman, LERT Volunteer – Wheaton, Illinois, about the impact your donations and the LERT teams are making in this community.

On Wednesday, November 14, the LERT team volunteers also unloaded the semi-truck from the Northern Illinois District that was filled with food and other critical supplies that were donated to help the 6,000 individuals each week that Trinity is serving. Kathy Roberts, Trinity’s Distribution Center Coordinator, could not believe everything that was donated to them. She kept exclaiming with joy as a new pallet of goods was unloaded, “This is like opening a surprise Christmas gift! All of our requests and needs are being fulfilled. The people here that need this will be so blessed and grateful to receive these items.”

Trinity Lutheran is helping their community by providing emotional, spiritual, and physical support. They are also housing the many teams who are coming in from all over the country to assist in recovery. Much assistance will be needed for a long time.

Almost every home and business has been affected in some way in Panama City, Mexico Beach, and surrounding communities. The destruction is widespread. Many families are living in damaged homes or tents in their yards because of limited other housing options. There are very few businesses open, so getting food, gas, clothing, and other desperately needed items is a challenge without traveling a distance. Everyone is managing the best they can in a difficult and trying situation.

The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams were also in Panama City offering comfort throughout the communities affected by Hurricane Michael. While there, they were invited to visit Girls, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to inspiring girls to be strong, smart, and bold. What a wonderful organization. We were blessed to be able to love on these young girls.

Please pray for Trinity – Panama City as they continue to open their doors and hearts to the individuals they serve in the surrounding communities devastated by Hurricane Michael.

Donate - Hurricane Michael Disaster Response Fund

Donate - LCC Disaster Response Fund

Thank you Immanuel Lutheran School – Crystal Lake, Illinois

11/20/2018

On Wednesday, November 14, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were invited to give a chapel message at Immanuel Lutheran School in Crystal Lake, Illinois. At the end of the chapel service, the Student Council presented Lutheran Church Charities with a check for the Disaster Relief efforts in Florida due to Hurricane Michael and the LCC K-9 Ministry deployments in California due to the wildfires. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Eunice (LCC Staff), Levi (Immanuel – East Dundee, Illinois), and Tobias (Lord of Glory – Grayslake, Illinois) greeted each class in the school library after chapel and thanked them for their generosity.

Secrets of Self Control Seven-Part Devotion Series Begins November 25

11/20/2018

Start your day with a free devotion from Tim Hetzner, President/CEO of Lutheran Church Charities. A new seven-part devotional series "Secrets of Self Control" begins Sunday, November 25th.

Devotion Archives

LCC K-9 Ministry Welcomes Immanuel – Charleston, Illinois, and Immanuel – Valparaiso, Indiana

11/20/2018

On November 14 - 16, Immanuel Lutheran Church in Charleston, Illinois, and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, Indiana, joined LCC staff for handler training. Each church was very excited to meet their new LCC K-9 Comfort Dog and to become part of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry. The new handlers and caregivers spent many hours training in ministry and in handler skills.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Rachel will serve as Immanuel Lutheran Church – Charleston, Illinois’ bridge to showing the Mercy, Compassion, and Presence of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. Rachel Comfort Dog’s Bible verse is Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

group of dog handlers surrounding their comfort dog

Immanuel Lutheran Church – Valparaiso, Indiana’s LCC K-9 Comfort Dog is Caleb. Caleb will serve as the bridge so the handlers and ministry partners can be the Hands and Feet of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. Caleb Comfort Dog’s Bible verse is Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is one of presence. When the Lord calls, we must go and serve Him. “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

golden retriever working dog with handlers

The following new handlers to the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry have heard that call:

K-9 Comfort Dog Handlers
Immanuel – Charleston, Illinois
Joelyn Akers
Tom Akers
Mark Bluhm
Clyde Frankie
Martha Hackler
Ken Hoover
Michele Hoover
Paul Stranz

K-9 Comfort Dog Handlers
Immanuel – Valparaiso, Indiana
Joe Cunningham
Sara Cunningham
Sue Hord
Kristen Kearney
Jan Shelby
Paul Shelby
Vicki Timmons
Don Tursman

LCC is honored to include the following individual in the LCC Kare-9 Military Ministry:
Paul Shelby, United States Army, 1984-1990

Donate - LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Fund

<<Previous

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Help Students, Faculty, and Staff After Sudden Death of a Student

Kind Words for LCC

The Gift of Presence

Visiting Navy Recruits for Thanksgiving

Visitation & Funeral for Ruth Fromm

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Deployed in Response to the Mercy Hospital Shooting in Chicago, Illinois

LCC LERT Teams, LCC K-9 Ministry Teams, and Your Donations Bring Hope to Those Impacted by Hurricane Michael in Florida

Thank you Immanuel Lutheran School – Crystal Lake, Illinois

Secrets of Self Control Seven-Part Devotion Series Begins November 25

LCC K-9 Ministry Welcomes Immanuel – Charleston, Illinois, and Immanuel – Valparaiso, Indiana

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