Eleven LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota this past week to be part of the 2019 National Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Youth Gathering. The gathering occurs every three years and this year's theme was Real. Present. God. It didn't take long for word to spread that the comfort dogs were in Hall E of the Interactive Center, and gathering attendees commented to the handlers that ours was the most popular booth at the event!

Although the primary purpose of being there was to give attendees time to unwind, relax, and meet the dogs (perhaps for the first time!), we were also invited into some situations where youth groups and individuals needed our presence and comfort.
 
It's impossible to estimate how many of the 20,000+ attendees we met, but we pray that those who came to visit were blessed by our time together. We also pray that each of the youth grew closer to our Real. Present. God.

On Tuesday, July 11, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Myra (St. Andrews – Park Ridge, Illinois) visited the Park Ridge Police Department, Illinois with her law enforcement handler to thank everyone for their service, and let them know that they are in our prayers.
 
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 41:1

On Tuesday, July 9 and Wednesday, July 10, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Shiloh (Christ Our Savior – Dixon, Illinois) attended the visitation and funeral for Olivia, who passed away unexpectedly. Olivia was the wife of a fallen law enforcement officer. One of her daughters, Maya, was scheduled to be at C.O.P.S. Kids Camp the week of the funeral. Instead of attending Kids Camp, Police Ministry Dog Shiloh went to be with Maya and her family. Other friends of Maya's from Kids Camp also came from Wisconsin to Illinois to be with her.
 
"I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you." John 14:18

On Monday, July 8, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Shiloh (Christ Our Savior – Dixon, Illinois) visited the Kane County Sheriff's Office in St. Charles, Illinois. New deputies, who were sworn-in were offered God's blessings by K-9 Shiloh's law enforcement handler as they begin their work in service to others.
 
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." Matthew 5:9

LCC K-9 Police Ministry teams had the honor of helping with Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) Kids Camp from Sunday, July 7 to Thursday, July 11 in Wisconsin.
 
C.O.P.S. hosts the annual event to bring together surviving children and spouses of law enforcement officers, who died in the line of duty from across the country. The camp involves many activities and sharing experiences to help support the survivors as they work to rebuild their shattered lives.
 
LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dogs Candace (LCC staff), Charity (Brookfield Lutheran – Brookfield, Wisconsin), Eve (St. John – Lombard, Illinois), Julia (King of Glory – Elgin, Illinois), Nigel (LCC staff) and Shiloh (Christ Our Savior – Dixon, Illinois) served in various ways throughout the week. They welcomed survivors on arrival, and comforted them during counseling sessions and other activities at camp.
 
Please remember the survivors of fallen law enforcement officers, and other first responders, in your prayers.

On Tuesday, July 9, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Eve (St. John’s Lutheran – Lombard, Illinois), Jacob (LCC Staff), Kye (Immanuel Lutheran – Belvidere, Illinois) and Susie (St. Peter – Arlington Heights, Illinois) attended the funeral for Russ Roselli at St. Peter Lutheran in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Russ was a member of St. Peter and the brother-in-law of the veterinarian at Lombard Veterinary Hospital in Lombard, Illinois, who donates all of LCC Comfort Dog’s Eve care and grooming. All memorials were designated to support the ministry of  LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Susie.

On Sunday, July 14, the LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry served at the 485th Engineer Battalion’s Family Day at Pioneer Park in Arlington Heights, Illinois. LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Brandy, Britta, and Brutus (LCC Squad) greeted the brave National Guardsmen as they enjoyed a day of food and fun with one another.

On Saturday, July 13, the LCC K-9 Ministries were a part of the annual fundraising event for Wings of Mercy at Campbell Airport in Grayslake, Illinois. Wings of Mercy provides transportation to distant medical facilities for patients who cannot afford to fly. For more details, visit wingsofmercy.org.

The following K-9s gave and received much love during the event: LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs JoJo (Living Christ – Arlington Heights, Illinois), Malachi (St. Matthew – Hawthorn Woods, Illinois) and Susie (St. Peter – Arlington Heights, Illinois); LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Asher (Faith Lutheran – Lake Forest, Illinois), Brandy and Brutus (LCC Squad).

On Friday, July 12, LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Staff) and veteran Gene once again greeted the moviegoers at Lake Opeka Park in Des Plaines, Illinois. Movies in the Park is a summer program sponsored by the Des Plaines Optimist Club.