LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Lois (First Good Shepherd – Las Vegas, Nevada), Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, California), Rahab (St. Andrew – Stockton, California), Reuben (First Lutheran – Yuba City, California), and Salome (Faith Community – Las Vegas, Nevada), along with their ministry teams were present at many locations throughout the week to listen to those who are grieving, bringing them hope, comfort, and prayer.

LCC K-9 Ministry teams went to Emmaus Lutheran School and Preschool to comfort students and staff. They also returned to the memorial at City Hall to be with the grieving community there. They have seen countless faces light up and have been the highlight of many people's day.

The LCC K-9 Ministry teams also visited the Monterey Park Police Department, 911 Call Center, and Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner Office. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for these brave men and women who answer the call to serve and protect during times of tragedy like this.

The K-9s and their handlers visited the students and staff at San Gabriel Mission Elementary School. In times of tragedy, it can be difficult to find joy in the world, but visits like this remind us that there is joy all around us and can be found in the small moments and in the connections we make with others.

The LCC K-9 Ministry teams brought hearts/markers through our Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC), Crosses for Losses Ministry. The hearts/markers were placed at the memorial site for people to sign and leave condolence messages, pray, and pay their respects to the 11 lives lost.

Please join LCC as we pray for the Monterey Park community during this incredibly difficult time and for all of the first responders who heroically responded.
 
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. We know that comfort is needed to help this shocked and devastated community and the first responders who serve them.

On Saturday evening, January 21, a 72-year-old man walked into the Star Ballroom Dance Studio and began shooting, killing 11 people and wounding nine others during the start of a two-day Lunar New Year festival in Monterey Park, California. The suspect was later found dead in a van with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
 
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministries were invited by Rev. Dr. Michael Gibson, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Pacific Southwest District President, and Pastor Carl Kaye and Pastor Patrick Jow from Emmaus Lutheran Church and School in Alhambra, California, to be present this week throughout the community. Emmaus Lutheran Church and School has an English and Chinese speaking congregation.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Lois (First Good Shepherd – Las Vegas, Nevada), Rahab (St. Andrew – Stockton, California), Reuben (First Lutheran – Yuba City, California), and Salome (Faith Community – Las Vegas, Nevada), along with their ministry teams were present at the Monterey Park City Hall memorial site on Monday night to listen to those who are grieving, bringing them hope, comfort, and prayer.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Micah (Light of the Valley – Elk Grove, California) and his handlers joined the others for the vigil last night at Monterey Park City Hall.
 
On Tuesday, the LCC K-9 Ministry teams were invited to be with employees at Monterey Park City Hall, Monterey Park Police Officers, Monterey Park Fire Station #61, and the town library. They will also be present at a vigil that will be held at Monterey Park City Hall on Tuesday night.

Please join LCC as we pray for the Monterey Park community during this incredibly difficult time and for all of the first responders who heroically responded.
 
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. We know that comfort is needed to help this shocked and devastated community and the first responders who serve them.

On Sunday, January 22, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Malachi (St. Matthew - Hawthorn Woods, Illinois), Myra (St. Andrews - Park Ridge, Illinois), Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois), and Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois) supported the family and friends of Aimee Hudson, 44 years old, who lost her battle with cancer on January 13. 

She leaves behind two young children ages 2 years old and 8 years old. Aimee was a pilot and was First Officer for American Airlines, flying a Boeing 737.  
  
The gentle, loving and comforting presence of the K-9s and their handlers was much appreciated by Aimee’s family. We pray for God’s comfort and strength for Aimee’s husband and two young children as they continue forward without her beautiful and loving presence in their lives.

Trinity's  Lutheran Church in Fremont, Nebraska ministry partners and handlers are excited to add their second LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Phinehas to serve with LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Katie.  We are blessed to grow this wonderful ministry in our church and community.  We look forward to continue our motto at Trinity, Fremont #LOVEINACTION. Love in action is when we meet the needs of other people in their thirst — physical, emotional, or spiritual — out of love for Christ, who was thirsty for us. Team Phinehas is ready to be a servant leaders, leading as a shepherd, being alongside our people, leading through our conversations.

Phinehas' Bible verse is Numbers 23:19: "God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?"

Trinity's LCC K-9 Comfort Dog team members and Phinehas were commissioned on Sunday, January 15. Team members include: Dawn Gilfry, Jon Gilfry, Brett Meyer, Carly  Gross, Jim Dockerty, Paula  Price, Rick Vogel, Abby Hassett , and Angie Lange.  A "meet and greet" was held before the service. Joining them for this special day were the following LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams:

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Eddie (Peace Lutheran - Grand Island, Nebraska)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Eden (Peace Lutheran - Columbus, Nebraska)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Joanna (Christ Lincoln - Lincoln, Nebraska)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Katie (Trinity - Fremont, Nebraska)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Keren (Immanuel - Ellsworth, Kansas)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Moses (Christ Lutheran - Cairo, Nebraska)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Nicodemus (The Rock - Seward, Nebraska)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Priscilla (Trinity - Lincoln, Nebraska)

It was so so good to see everyone and meet new friends.  What an inspiration to be with servants whose goal is to bring mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need!

In November 2022, Immanuel Lutheran Church/Martin Luther School in Joplin, Missouri and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog team joined LCC staff for handler training and met their next LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Daniel. Daniel’s Bible verse is Daniel 12:3  “Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.”  
 
Since returning home from training, the team and Daniel have worked many hours to prepare to go out into the community and share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ.  The Immanuel Lutheran/Martin Luther School LCC K-9 Comfort Dog team members and Daniel were commissioned on Sunday, January 15, which also happened to be Daniel’s 2nd birthday! 

Team members include:  Heidi Gustin, Jason Glaskey, Sue Doennig, Jennifer Lutz, Jennifer Jankowski, Jeni Hueller, Laurie Behm, Robert Wuerdeman and Becky Wuerdeman.  Joining them for this special day were the following LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams:
 
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Boaz (Christ The King - Lake Ozark, Missouri)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Dinah (Trinity - Auburn, Illinois)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog  Noah (Timothy - St. Louis, Missouri)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Persis (King of Kings - Glenpool, Oklahoma)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Thomas (St. Paul’s - Concordia, Missouri)
 
We were very honored to have so many fellow teams present to worship and celebrate with us on this special day.  It was a day filled with joy and excitement for God’s plans for our team and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Daniel as we start up this ministry once again in our community.