AS WINDER SCHOOLS RETURN TO CLASS,K-9 COMFORT DOGS ARE THERE FOR SUPPORT AND PRAYER

“Love will prevail” is the message seen throughout Winder, Georgia, after the unimaginable and tragic shooting at Apalachee High School that took the lives of Richard Aspinwall, Christina Irimie, Mason Schermerhorn, and Christian Angulo and left the whole region with a devastating sense of loss.

Yet the community shares a deep faith and trust in God and is finding comfort in Christ’s words through scripture and prayer.

Throughout the time that Faith (St. Stephens - Hickory, North Carolina​), Hope (Faith Lutheran - Marietta, Georgia), Jemimah (St. Paul - Boca Raton, Florida), Job (​Christ the King - Memphis, Tennesse), Moriah (St. Luke's - Oviedo, Florida), Peace (Trinity - Orlando, Florida), Phinehas (Trinity - Fremont, Nebraska), Seth (Eternal Shepherd - Seneca, South Carolina) and Zoara (Island Lutheran - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina) were in Winder visiting with students, teachers, parents, firefighters, and other community members, what stood out to the team was the community’s faith. The Comfort Dog teams joined in prayer with principals, teachers, and students

A moment that resonated with many of the teams was when they were at Apalachee High School and a high school volleyball team from another high school came to the memorial site in support of Apalachee. 
 
The players gathered in a circle that continued to grow as others joined, along with the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog handlers.
 
The prayer was beautifully led by one of the young volleyball players. It was a moment of people coming together in love, support, and faith for Apalachee High School and the Winder community.

The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Faith, Hope, Peace, Phinehas, Seth, Job, Moriah, Jemimah, and Zoara visited many of the Barrow County District schools last week as a calming, welcoming, and safe presence for the students and staff as they returned to school.
 
There were many God moments that happened throughout their time there:

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• A handler shared, “A young lady and her grandparents had an appointment with a counselor for her to re-enroll in the high school after a 12-month absence. She was very nervous and said she was anxious. We chatted a bit as she petted Seth. We gave her Seth’s card and told her about Seth’s Bible verse (Philippians 4:6-7) about not being anxious about anything. Her grandmother’s eyes lit up and said it was her favorite verse. She started to recite it, and we joined in. Her grandmother also said for her to keep Seth’s card with her throughout the day when she had moments of anxiousness. God placed us at the right place at the right time as He always does!”
  

• Another handler shared, “It just amazes me how, once again, when you least expect it, you are right where you are supposed to be — and it happened again on Friday. That morning, a lady approached Jemimah as she was the closest Comfort Dog to her, and I encouraged her to say hello. She started petting her, and then got down on her knees and hugged her. She immediately started crying — and I’m not sure why — but she quickly got up and walked away. I watched her for a second as another lady hugged her as she was walking away. I decided to catch up with them, and I touched her shoulder and told her that this is why we are here and to take another moment with the Comfort Dog. Once again, she got down on her knees, hugged Jemimah, and burst in to tears. Then she stood up, we hugged, and she said, ‘Thank you, that is exactly what I needed.’ It is the constant reminder that when God needs something done, He will always have a way of doing it.
  

• A third handler shared, “My biggest takeaway has been the importance of trusting God. Whenever God places a mission on our hearts, we respond with a resounding ‘Yes.’ No matter what's going on in our lives, we set aside our own concerns to serve those in need. I've realized that God starts with a blank canvas, gradually adding experiences each day, and interacting with individuals who bring the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering.”
  

On Lutheran Church Charities’ social channels, teachers, parents, and community members had these kind words to share about the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry’s presence in Winder:

Thank you again for the AMAZING team you sent to County Line Elementary today.

Peace, Jemimah, and Moriah were absolutely perfect and did so much to ease student (and parent) fears. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

We are so proud of our newest Critter Team members!

These nine LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams came together from South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Nebraska to be there for Winder. Each of the handlers, with their Comfort Dogs, engaged and connected with people throughout the community.
 
Sometimes the connection was through just being there, sometimes listening, sometimes sharing words or a hug, always sharing God’s love. They were another reminder that “Love will prevail,” and God’s light and goodness will overcome the darkness of this tragedy.

We are incredibly thankful for your support, which makes it possible for us to BE THERE where we are needed most. Your donations are making a tangible difference in the lives of the people our dedicated teams of volunteers are able to help. The love, healing, and comfort we are able to provide are a direct result of your generosity.

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