Thanks to You, We Are Able to BE THERE for Students and Staff The comfort dogs serve as a bridge, their presence encouraging conversations, soothing anxieties, and creating a haven of comfort in a time of profound sorrow. They remind us that, amidst the chaos, there's a profound beauty in the simplicity of their affection. We are so grateful to our LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams who dropped everything to BE THERE for the UNLV students and staff. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Lois (First Good Shepherd - Las Vegas, Nevada), Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, California), Phinehas (Trinity - Fremont, Nebraska), Reuben (First Lutheran - Yuba City, California), and Salome (Faith Lutheran - Las Vegas, Nevada) spent time with students who remained on the University Nevada Las Vegas campus during the winter break. Wherever the Comfort Dog teams went, the handlers could see relief as students spent time with the dogs, feeling safe and diverting them from oppressing thoughts of the shooting that happened on their campus last week. A resident assistant at one of the dorms even sent a photo to all her residents to get them downstairs to where the dogs were. It did not take long for the students to come to the Comfort Dogs once that photo was shared. The students relaxed, accepting the comfort, gentleness, and safety the Comfort Dogs offered them as they talked to the handlers about school, their lives, and dreams for the future. The Comfort Dogs also visited the UNLV School of Dental Medicine students who had finals this week. One of the students shared, “This is the best thing we needed today. We needed to spend time with a dog today.” The handlers could see their bodies relax, and their eyes and smiles light up during these special visits with the Comfort Dogs and handlers. The faculty from the school of dentistry was happy to see the students on the floor relaxed and spending time with Lois, Micah, Phinehas, Reuben, and Salome. On Tuesday, the Comfort Dogs visited the Sunrise Hospital staff that received and cared for the victims of the shooting. The teams presented to the emergency medical staff a Heart of Mercy & Compassion filled with messages of comfort and prayers. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their teams will spend time this week with the Las Vegas 911 operators and coroner’s office that responded to the shooting. These dedicated women and men respond and see so much tragedy every day. We hope the Comfort Dogs and handlers can share the comfort, hope, and love of Jesus, providing them a safe and relaxed place from their worries and stress. Hearts of Mercy & Compassion for the Lives Lost
Thank you for BEING THERE by working through Lutheran Church Charities
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were requested to be at Wauconda High School on Monday, December 11 to support and comfort the grieving students and staff. Wauconda High School administrative staff and counselors provided time for the students to be together to process Mr. Gillen’s loss and to share memories of him as a teacher and trainer. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Mary (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin), Michael (LCC Staff), and Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois) were a welcome and loving distraction from the hurt and pain they were going through. A Heart of Mercy & Compassion was given to the staff to sign with their own comforting messages to pass on to Mr. Gillen’s wife. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers have been providing comfort, love, and a safe place for students at Wauconda High School to go to during times of difficulty and loss during the last five years. It is a relationship we cherish and sustain. We lift up in prayer Mr. Bob Gillen's wife, his parents, students, colleagues and those who knew and loved him for God’s comfort, peace and healing. On Saturday, December 9, the LCC Comfort Dogs were at Newark Liberty International Airport to join United Airlines volunteers for their Fantasy Flight, a day for seriously ill children and their families to experience the joy of flying to the North Pole. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Abraham and Beloved (Trinity - Hicksville, New York), Amos (Our Savior’s Way - Ashburn, Virginia) and Kezia (Emmanuel – Baltimore, Maryland) and their teams were present to BE THERE and help make holiday wishes come true for more than 75 children and their families as they arrived at the North Pole for a day of cheer.
Many of the United volunteers remembered the comfort dog teams who attended the last Fantasy Flight held before the pandemic and they were so excited to see them again. One flight attendant explained that the comfort dogs and the interactions they witnessed on that day was the inspiration for them to become a foster who is now raising guide dog puppies for service to others. After a day of celebration and joy, the volunteers all gathered behind the band in a parade through the entire terminal where travelers and staff all stopped to watch, video, and clap or wave in celebration. This simple act reached so many with the message of joy, hope and love.
Wolf Gustaveson, 19 years old and Francis Martinez, 18 years old were excited about their education and their future in the automotive industry. Wolf and Francis are dearly loved by their teachers, friends and family. Please pray all those who are heartbroken by their tragic loss to be filled with the comfort, healing and hope of Jesus
LCC's Human Care Ministry supports soup kitchens, food pantries, lending closets, refugees, and veterans just to name a few. Your Donations Make A Difference In The Lives Of Those In Need |
Thanks to the generosity of a donor, Lutheran Church Charities was able to provide a much-needed gift of a van to a single mother of six. Jessica had lost her only means of transportation in a multi-vehicle accident and was unable to afford a replacement due to mounting medical bills. This thoughtful donation has enabled her to resume her daily routine, including driving her children to school and going to work. We are grateful for the donor's generosity and the positive impact it has had on this family's life. |
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever. It has been quite a year for Jessica, the widowed mother of six, and her children, but God has been faithful. She welcomed her sixth child, a son, in March. He continues to grow and is crawling and preparing to walk.
We rejoice that the mother was finally able to receive some support for the children from social security. She is currently trying to work multiple shifts at UPS to provide for her children. For months, we prayed for an SUV for Jessica and her family. It became a critical need when she was in a car accident, and her van was damaged beyond repair in October. We are thankful she and her oldest son were not seriously injured in the crash. Our prayers were answered when someone recently donated a vehicle to LCC that could meet her needs. |
Thank you so much for your care!
Pastor Doug Warmann
Trinity Lutheran Church
Roselle, Illinois
Hear from Jessica herself in a video where she shares her incredible story.
The vehicle will be an essential resource for these mothers, enabling them to take care of their daily responsibilities, attend doctor appointments, and work. We are grateful for the partnership with Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries and for the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of these mothers. Thank you to our generous donor for their support!
As the winter season approaches, the refugee community is in dire need of warm clothes and coats to survive the harsh weather conditions. Your generous donations made a significant difference in the lives of these individuals who are already facing tremendous challenges. Your contributions offer not only warmth but also a sense of love and care to those who have been displaced from their homes. Thank you for your kindness and generosity! |
St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Hampshire, Illinois, has once again shown their compassion for the unhoused community by donating new shoes and socks through a Thrivent Action Team Grant. This act of kindness has not only provided new footwear for those in need, but it has also conveyed a message of love and care. We commend their generosity and hope that their actions inspire others to follow in their footsteps. |
Seven Wheaton and Warrenville churches and the public schools of District 200 invited more than 750 families to participate in the annual DuPage County Christmas Sharing Program. At the festive event, 214 families received fresh food and produce, gift cards, a box of non-food items, diapers, children’s coats, new toys, and more. St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Illinois, was one of three host distribution sites and partnered with Gary Methodist and Trinity Episcopal of Wheaton. Many congregation and LERT volunteers sorted and organized donated items, handled administrative tasks, directed traffic, packaged food, distributed goods, and greeted guests. |
“The interaction with the [LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs] opened the door for [Police Officers] to open their hearts and to begin to really recognize that it was okay to be impacted by the tremendous and impactful work that they do.” Tim Brown, Assistant Chief of Police of the Loveland Police Department, Colorado
"We were looking for places to take Cubby, and one of the areas we wanted to tap was the first responders and the police station," said Bonnie, LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator. "Tim bonded with Cubby right away. And then we just left the door open. He didn't schedule anything, but whenever I had an opening, I would ask if it would be okay if we brought Cubby, and his answer was always 'absolutely’. That became like an open-door visit." Nowadays, many law enforcement officers feel less support from their communities and have ranked wellness and morale as one of the biggest challenges in 2022.* First responders are under an incredible amount of stress |
"You could see people building walls as they experience different events. When the comfort dogs began to come and visit, we saw a lot of those walls begin to just drop. The interaction with the dogs sort of opened the door for them to open their hearts and begin to really recognize that it was okay to be impacted by their tremendous and impactful work," Tim shared. Bringing the Comfort Dogs to the police station and the dispatch center facilitated those conversations, recognizing that every day is stressful. "I see the dogs and their handlers come into the dispatch center, and all the people curled up and stuck with their headphones take that moment actually to breathe and relax. As they pet the dog, you just see there's a transfer of love and compassion about what's going on," Tim said. |
"We have regularly scheduled appointments every month, and we show up, and they look forward to it. It makes their day. We want to be there for them. They want to hold these dogs, and they want to lay on the floor with them. That is so meaningful for their mental health, their workday to be with the dog to bring the release of whatever they're experiencing. They can't thank us enough for showing up," shares Bonnie.
Law Enforcement Officers use the love and the care they receive from LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams to support their communities in powerful ways. "The commitment, love, and sense of belonging that comes from the shared partnership between first responders and the LCC program with their comfort dogs is overwhelming. The faith and love you share with your community members cannot be measured and cannot be overstated. So, it is as minimal as those words sound. Thank you so much for all that you do, for all that you've done, and for all that you'll continue to do for all of the folks in your communities and the members of God's world," Tim said. |
LCC currently has over 130 LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs serving in 27 states.
* Chief Joel F. Shults, Ed.D. (December 15, 2022) What officers said were the biggest challenges of 2022 (and why leaders should pay attention), Police 1
in the lives of First Responders serving their communities.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Emma, Hannah (LCC Staff), Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois) and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog in-training Samaria attended the annual WINGS “Sweet Home Chicago” fundraiser for women and children in abusive homes. This year marks the 20th anniversary of this extraordinary fundraiser. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is happy to BE THERE to support this amazing fundraising event held by WINGS who provides shelter for victims of domestic violence. Victims who are actively fleeing a violent situation can find refuge at WINGS Safe Houses – with or without their children. WINGS Safe Houses provide temporary shelter, safety planning, food and clothing. The family and child advocates who staff these Safe Houses can also help residents access critical services such as counseling, legal advocacy, and assistance securing orders of protection. | |
On January 12, 2023, massive tornadoes struck historic Selma, Alabama, and the surrounding area, causing widespread damage to homes and property. One EF-3 tornado was on the ground for 23 miles through Selma. It affected one-third of the town; the tornado damaged or destroyed 3,300 homes, businesses, schools, and churches. Within days, Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) arrived in Selma to BE THERE for the community in their time of need. |
"All I Could Do Was Cry Out to God to Protect Me"
Selma resident Thelma Diane Harris walked with Martin Luther King, Jr. across the Edmund Pettus Bridge during the Civil Rights March in 1965 and now gives tours and shares stories of her beloved Selma.
She has seen many changes during the last several decades, but the destruction she saw everywhere after the tornadoes brought her to tears and caused her heart to ache for her community. She was grateful that her home was not damaged by the three large pine trees that fell in her yard and next to her house.
She shared how scared she was to hear the sounds of trees falling and glass breaking as the tornado passed through her neighborhood. She stated, "All I could do was cry out to God to protect me." After the tornado passed, she went outside to see many of her neighbors' homes destroyed. She could hear some crying out for help from under debris. Thankfully, no one perished, but many of her friends had lost everything. |
"It was our blessing that they came to offer their service. God manages to have angels all around us. I say that they are our guardian angels," Thelma shares.
Other homeowners affected by the tornadoes shared that many groups had stopped to assess their property damage, but no one returned to help. When LCC showed up with a boom lift and other heavy equipment, the homeowners couldn't believe the teams would bring all this equipment from so far away to help make their properties safe again, at no cost because of generous donors who support LCC’s Disaster Response.
in the lives of Thelma and other families affected by the tornadoes.
Glass elevator, Check!
Walking ramp, Check!
Food and tissue on the ground, Check!
Security guards on Segway, Check!
Noisy crowds, check!
Great opportunity to train and socialize, YES!
Monday night, nine of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs in training, Abednego, Lazarus, Meshach, Olive, Rejoice, Samaria, Saul, Shadrach, and Zechariah, along with their volunteer apprentice trainers, had a class at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Illinois. It was an excellent opportunity to practice the dogs' commands with a variety of distractions and still stay focused on their volunteer apprentice trainer. |
The wonderful reward for all the Comfort Dogs in training and their fantastic volunteers was to stop and visit with people of all ages. The smiles that suddenly appeared on children's and adults' faces were better than all the twinkling lights on the tree. It takes a lot of practice, patience, and persistence to be an LCC K-9 Comfort Dog, but these young pups have been working hard at it with their dedicated volunteers since they were eight weeks old. We thank our volunteer apprentice trainers who prepare these Comfort Dogs to one day be placed with a church whose mission is to share the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ with those who are suffering and in need in their community and beyond. |
Explore becoming a volunteer Apprentice Trainer with
Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry!
LCC is currently in need of more volunteer apprentice trainers in the Chicagoland area as we will soon be including additional golden retriever pups to our K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry training classes. Those sweet pups will need volunteers to assist in their fostering, socializing and training. Being an apprentice trainer is an unforgettable and rewarding experience. Many of our apprentice trainers choose to participate in the training program for many years because of the community of volunteers, their own spiritual growth, staff they work with, and because they know that the dogs have a greater purpose |
· Fostering golden retriever pups (owned by Lutheran Church Charities)
· Training
· Socializing
· Weekly Training Classes
· Exercising
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog weekly training classes are held in Barrington, Northbrook, and East Dundee, Illinois. If you live within 50 miles radius of the training locations and would like more information about the volunteer commitment CLICK HERE to learn more!
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