Care for the caregivers

For those serving the hurting in the Texas Hill Country,
K-9 Comfort Dog teams bring a moment of peace and rest

It’s been 10 months since the Guadalupe River floods in Kerr and Hunt counties in Texas Hill Country took 139 lives on July 4. The media has come and gone. And been back again and again. 

There have been remembrances. Tributes. Benefit concerts. Community events. Tears have been shed week upon week upon week. 

In the midst of it all have been the caregivers — mental health professionals, law enforcement, city and county public servants, doctors, nurses, technicians — all shouldering several communities’ worth of grief, stress, and trauma from the tragedy’s aftermath, weighing heavy on the whole region. 

Those who’ve brought care and assistance are nearing a breaking point. 
The comforters now need comfort themselves.

“Our Crisis Counseling Team, as well as additional staff, have been working incredibly hard since the July 4th flood; many members of our team have experienced increased stress, as well as trauma, related to the things they have witnessed and heard,” said Corrie Perryman of the Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Centers. 

This week, with Legislative hearings dredging up unhealed wounds, seven Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog teams from six Texas churches arrived on the scene to offer them a few moments of peace and rest — and then join them in outreach to a community that’s still reeling mentally and emotionally.  
More than a dozen LCC volunteers and their K-9 Comfort Dogs traveled from hundreds of miles across Texas to serve on a two-day, whirlwind mission trip in Kerrville and Hunt: Comfort Dog Elijah (Our Redeemer – Wichita Falls, TX), Comfort Dog Joy (Gloria Dei – Houston, TX), Comfort Dog Martha (Bethany – Austin, TX), Comfort Dog Olive (St. Paul – Fort Worth, TX), Comfort Dog Pax (St. Paul – Fort Worth, TX), Comfort Dog Shamgar (Our Savior – McKinney, TX), and Comfort Dog Triton (Messiah – Plano, TX).

On Monday, the day began in Hunt County with a stop at The Hunt Store, where shopkeepers have helped supply volunteers, government assistance crews, and residents. Patrons and community members greeted the dogs and their handlers for pets and cuddles. 

Next, it was a visit to a local recovery group of Hunt residents talking through nearly a year’s worth of trial and heaviness. The anniversary of the flood is week’s away and with it a new round of revisiting the hardship. But for an hour, the townfolk put those worries out of their mind as dogs nuzzled in for a respite from the strain. 

Back in Kerrville, the dogs and handlers connected with staff members at the Emotional Support Center and Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities administrative office, as well as 911 dispatch and the Kerr County Mental Health Clinic.

“With two recent deaths of individuals heavily involved in the recovery efforts, many people in the Kerr County community are struggling mentally and emotionally,” Perryman shared. “These amazing dogs provided some much-needed smiles and were a comfort to all those who had the privilege to spend a few moments with them.”

The next day, the group connected with first responders and team members of Operation ResQ and ReBuild, a rapid-response group assisting families with supplies and aid, who thanked the K-9 teams for bringing “comforting K-9 cuddles all around Kerr County” on its Facebook page. 

Pax and Olive joined the Rampart Vigilance Foundation Dive Team for a bit, prompting the group to express gratitude for them “being a part of our community’s healing journey.”

The K-9 Comfort Dog volunteers also spent a few hours with the Kerrville Police and Kerrville Fire departments. “Martha, Triton, Olive, Pax, and Shamgar were a welcomed sight. Y'all are welcome back any time with these fur friends!” the firefighting unit shared. 

Police also showed appreciation, acknowledging the importance of mental wellness. “Our thanks to LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs for stopping by and brightening our day! Comfort dogs Triton and Martha got a deluxe tour and brought lots of smiles to our KPD team with their wagging tails! Emotional resilience is important to our KPD team, and we appreciate these lovable dogs and their amazing volunteer team for taking the time to check in with us.”

Meanwhile, Joy and Elijah capped off the day with a visit to Kerrville City Hall, bringing calm and companionship to a group who relished a little extra comfort. “They definitely brightened our day with wagging tails, gentle hearts, and lots of love. It’s amazing to see the positive impact these dogs have wherever they go!” the city’s Facebook account recorded. 

Lutheran Church Charities thanks the following teams and handlers who made the trip to the Hill Country this week and made an incredible impact on a community still hurting from last year’s tragedy and so thankful for the presence and care these Golden Retrievers bring in the name of Jesus.

Comfort Dog Elijah (Our Redeemer – Wichita Falls, TX)
Lynette Lackey
Nancy Opheim 

Comfort Dog Joy (Gloria Dei – Houston, TX) 
Carol and Rick Lisk 

Comfort Dog Martha (Bethany – Austin, TX)
Jim Shivertaker
Ken Wehmeyer 

Comfort Dog Olive (St. Paul – Fort Worth, TX) 
Laurie Anderson
Laura Lewallen 

Comfort Dog Pax  (St. Paul – Fort Worth, TX)
Bob Hampton
LuAnn Kelly

Comfort Dog Shamgar  (Our Savior – McKinney, TX)
Teri Franzmeyer
Phyllis

Comfort Dog Triton (Messiah – Plano, TX)
Jane Baedke
​ Katherine Wolfe