AT C.O.P.S. KIDS CAMP, LCC K-9 COMFORT DOG TEAMS BRING CALM TO FAMILIES OF SLAIN POLICE OFFICERS

In June, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry continued its support of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) with 11 teams attending the annual C.O.P.S. Kids Camp in Wisconsin. Camp attendees are children who have lost a parent or guardian in the line of duty. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and handlers provide comfort and support to the children during counseling sessions, surrounding them with love, comfort, and security that comes from God.

The 11 LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams were:
LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Candace of LCC Staff
LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Dora of LHSAGM in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Julia of King of Glory in Elgin, Illinois
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Charity of Brookfield Lutheran in Brookfield, Wisconsin
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Hannah of LCC Staff
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Mary of St. Paul's Lutheran in Janesville, Wisconsin
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Rejoice in St. Paul's Lutheran in Janesville, Wisconsin
LCC K-9 Comfort Tobias of Lord of Glory in Grayslake, Illinois
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs in Training Meshach, Olive and Saul

Each year, between 140 and 160 officers die in the line of duty and their families and co-workers are left to cope. C.O.P.S., which has a membership of more than 80,000 survivors nationwide, provides resources to help them rebuild their lives after losing a loved one.

Each summer, C.O.P.S. Kids Camp provides families a relaxed setting removed from everyday life. Often, young children who lose a parent do not have a safe, comfortable place to share their struggles with their peers. C.O.P.S. Kids Camp offers that, as well as a place for parents/guardians to do the same.

While the camp helps attendees to process and cope with loss, the experience impacts LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry handlers too. Here are some reflections of their time spent this year with the children, parents and counseling staff:

• “It was a blessing to help out with C.O.P.S. Kids Camp again this year. We joined this ministry in 2019, so a lot of people know LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Candace from past years. We had lots of good personal visits with both children and surviving spouses. Two of the spouses lost their husbands less than a year ago, so this was their first time at the camp. They both said they weren’t sure what to expect but that they were glad that they came. Their kids also were glad they came. The comfort dog business cards are so popular; the kids love collecting them. We stayed both afternoons, and on Tuesday, we attended the campfire and the skits in the evening. It provided us with more opportunities to visit and chat — and most importantly, to listen. We received so many thank-yous for being at the camp with Candace."  - Handler of LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Candace
• "A young boy we spent time with lost his dad. He didn’t want to talk much so he just petted Hannah for an hour. I told him I would turn off my hearing aids if he just wanted to whisper in her ears. “Hannah keeps secrets and feels your love,” I told him. So he did. Very special young man. He looked up and smiled and said thanks." - Handler of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Hannah
• "I had never been to the airport before [with my LCC K-9 Comfort Dog], so I got to see how the campers are greeted. It was amazing! Two or three members of law enforcement greeted campers at their gate, got their bags, and brought them back to the reception area. They sat down to talk with them and play games. We met many of these law enforcement greeters. The first child that sat down with Tobias had been in one of the counseling sessions we joined at last year's camp. I had long conversations with three mothers. Many of the officers who have died in the line of duty are male, so it's the moms who are left behind to raise the kids. I know the kids call dad their hero, but their moms are heroes too. These women display so much courage and strength, and it really moved me.   - Handler of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Tobias
• "I was with the 10-year-olds that were sharing their memory books of their parents that passed away. You could tell the kids really enjoyed sharing their photos and memories and the counselors did a great job at helping process some different emotions. All the kids listened to each other and asked questions about each other’s parents.  After sharing, they each got to spend some time with Saul and love and hug him."  - Handler of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog in training Saul
• "We were in the craft room where the kids and their guardians had time to create crafts. It was sweet to see how the kids had bonded and were running around looking for their friends. It was also sweet to see how the parents had also made friendships with each other. We had a young boy that kept coming back to show Abednego the craft he had created, and he told me all about his pets back home. There was a lot of closeness within all the people there.  - Handler of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog in training Abednego​

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A PRAYER FOR THE C.O.P.S. FAMILIES 
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​Dear Lord,
We pray for the families of those officers killed in the line of duty. Guide them in their grief and help them to find comfort in your presence. May they feel your love and compassion and be encouraged knowing that their loved one’s legacy will never be forgotten.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.