Redeemer Lutheran’s LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Bring Comfort and Healing to Fort Collins, CO, Community

Healing Hearts in a Time of Tragedy
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry team from Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, Colorado, continues to make a profound impact by sharing God’s love and comfort with those facing heartbreak and grief. Recently, the team, including Comfort Dogs Devorah and Zacchaeus, visited North Valley Middle School, located just 30 minutes from the church, after the school community suffered the loss of a beloved 7th-grade teacher in a tragic car accident.

The comfort dogs spent the day with students, staff, and teachers, offering solace in the wake of an unimaginable loss. In the school’s cafeteria, they engaged with students in grades 6-8, creating small moments of peace amidst the sadness. Teachers shared heartwarming stories of the teacher, Ms. Schwarz, while the students, deeply affected by the loss, found comfort in the presence of the dogs.

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Ms. Schwarz had a passion for plants, and her memory lives on through a beautiful garden and a flock of chickens that she nurtured alongside the students. In her honor, the school community has committed to caring for both the garden and the chickens as a living tribute to the teacher who touched their lives so deeply.

Additionally, the students created a memory board filled with handwritten notes, photos, and an extensive paper chain of individual thoughts from the students—each link representing a child who loved and will miss Ms. Schwarz.

Reflecting on this moving experience, the team offered words of hope drawn from Ephesians 3:18, reminding the grieving community of the immeasurable love of God: “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.”

Gratitude and Community Impact
The impact of the Comfort Dogs was felt deeply, not just by the students but by the entire North Valley Middle School staff. In a heartfelt letter to the ministry, Chief of Police Kenny Fernandez expressed his gratitude for the team’s presence during such a difficult time. His words underscored the profound healing power of simply being there for people when they are at their most vulnerable.

“Your team being there for our people in a time of shocking, unimaginable grief is a debt we can never repay,” wrote Fernandez. “Words cannot express what the act of just being there meant.” The school’s staff, too, echoed similar sentiments, as they were moved by the genuine care and comfort provided by the Comfort Dog team.

A Growing Presence at Colorado State University

The Redeemer Lutheran LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry team’s efforts extend beyond middle schools to the broader community, including Colorado State University (CSU). Devorah and Zacchaeus make regular visits to the CSU Police Department, the 911 call center, and veterinary students. They are also part of the bi-monthly “Comfort Dogs with Cops” event, where hundreds of CSU students interact with the dogs and their handlers.

In recognition of their ongoing efforts to foster community and offer support, the team was honored with the Colorado State University Police Department’s Community Partnership Award for 2024-2025. This award was presented during a special celebration banquet on campus, where the Comfort Dogs and their handlers were recognized for their dedication to serving the campus community. You can read more about the event on Facebook.

Devorah and Zacchaeus have also been called upon for emergency site visits, bringing comfort to students, faculty, and first responders during times of crisis. Their ability to provide a sense of calm during high-stress situations has been invaluable, and their regular presence on campus continues to strengthen the bond between the university and the Redeemer Lutheran K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry.

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A Ministry of Presence, Hope, and Comfort
Whether visiting schools, campuses, or responding to emergency situations, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs from Redeemer Lutheran Church embody the ministry’s mission to offer comfort, healing, and hope. Their unwavering presence provides a tangible reminder that, even in the darkest times, God’s love is deep, wide, and ever-present.

Through their work, Comfort Dogs Devorah and Zacchaeus, along with their handlers, continue to touch the lives of countless individuals, reminding them that they are never alone in their grief, and that God’s mercy and compassion are always at hand.

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