Paws That Steadied a Shaken Community

Three K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams bring comfort and compassion across Northern California during a week of tragedy and heaviness.

Last week was a deeply emotional and impactful one for communities in Northern California — even touching members of three LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams in the area who were called to walk alongside friends and neighbors grieving sudden and tragic events.

On Saturday, November 29, a mass shooting at child’s birthday party in Stockton, CA, claimed the lives of four people, including two 8-year-olds, a teenager, and an adult. Ten others were injured among 100 attendees.

The shooting took place at a location not far from St. Andrews Lutheran Church members’ homes, including where LCC Comfort Dogs Rahab's caregivers live.  

Amid the heavy loss and heartache and fear of additional violence, LCC Comfort Dogs Micah (Light of the Valley, Elk Grove), Genesis (Good Shepherd, Turlock), and Rahab (St. Andrews, Stockton) visited schools and civic employees to extend calm in multiple areas of the Central Valley.

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On Tuesday, December 2, Comfort Dogs Micah and Rahab visited students, teachers, and staff at Wagner-Holt Elementary School, located near the site of the shooting. Although no students were hurt, the heartbroken school community was deeply shaken and wondering, “This could have been one of us.”

Rahab and Micah offered wagging tails and warm cuddles as children and staff came to say hello a classroom at a time. Their peaceful presence met a much-needed void, said a school counselor after the visit.

“Thank you so much for coming to our campus today!” she wrote the K-9 teams. “The dogs brought so much joy and comfort to our students and staff. I truly appreciate the support your teams provided.”

Rahab and Micah’s handlers were grateful that the dogs provided space for staff to express emotion, receive comfort, and process the emotions of the week’s events.

Another tragedy emerges

While Rahab and Micah were serving in Stockton, an 11-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in his home in Elk Grove, 40 miles away. First responders and the 911 Dispatch team were gripped with distress.

The next morning, Comfort Dog Micah went to the Elk Grove Police Department and 911 Dispatch Center to encourage and console officers and staff needed a moment of peace.

Later, Rahab joined Micah for a previously scheduled appointment at Yuba College in Yuba City. Undergrads there welcomed the comfort dogs for a time of de-stressing during a “Finals Study Jam.”

On Thursday, December 4, Micah accepted an invitation to visit the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office, whose staff served as the final responders for the 11-year-old boy’s case. With friendly faces and soft, petable fur, the dogs’ presence offered much-needed emotional support for those whose work is little seen, yet carries a heavy weight.

A second school in need

On Monday, December 8, Comfort Dogs Genesis, Micah, and Rahab answered the call to Aspire Apex Public Schools of the Central Valley, where one of the Stockton shooting victims attended.

Still shocked by the loss of one of their own community members, the devastated school was hurting for reassurance and support. The three dogs offered quiet companionship and gentle relief from the sorrow as they processed loss and grief.

On its Facebook account, Aspire Schools shared: “Today, our APEX family was helped by the greater Stockton community in the most beautiful way. In the midst of unimaginable heartbreak, LCC K9 Comfort Dogs Rahab, Micah, and Genesis  visited our campus and brought moments of calm, love, and breathing room for our scholars and staff. To every partner, neighbor, and community member who has wrapped their arms around Aspire during this tragedy, thank you. Your thoughts, prayers, messages, meals, donations, and presence have been felt deeply across our region. We are reminded that even in the darkest moments, community light shines the brightest. Thank you for standing with us, for loving our scholars, and for helping us hold one another up.”

This week, the LCC K-9 teams reflected on the heaviness of this series of site visits. “Through each heartbreaking situation, our comfort dog teams have faithfully provided presence, peace, and love where it was needed most. We are grateful for their dedication and ask that you keep the affected communities—and our responders—in your prayers.”

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