On April 25, the first Stars and Stripes Honor Flight of the season took off from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, WI, and the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were there to send off the veterans, and to welcome them home when they returned.

The Comfort Dog Ministry teams created a warm and meaningful atmosphere for the 50 veterans preparing for their journey with LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity, Gethsemane, Mary & Rejoice, Sage, Samaria, Samson. Alongside their handlers, these dogs offered comfort, calm, and heartfelt connection during a day filled with emotion and reflection.

The group of veterans represented multiple generations of service. Among them were two World War II veterans, ages 97 and 102, 11 Korean War veterans—including one who served as a translator for U.S. troops—and 37 Vietnam War veterans. All wore matching dark blue polos, a symbol of unity as they embarked on their Honor Flight.

After departing on a single flight, the veterans arrived at Dulles International Airport, in Dulles, VA, where other LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams were waiting to greet them. Amos and Kezia Comfort Dogs, along with their handlers, welcomed each veteran with gratitude and respect, helping to set the tone for a memorable and meaningful experience.

One handler reflected on the powerful moments shared during the greeting:
“We were honored to be able to meet and shake the hands of each of the veterans as they arrived to their surprise greeting at Dulles. As we looked them in the eyes and thanked them for their service we could see their emotions, pride in their service and joy in being welcomed by a grateful crowd. They were excited for their day and many were so humble that they thanked us for being there.”

The presence of the comfort dogs brought smiles, eased nerves, and opened the door for genuine connection. For some veterans, the interaction carried an even deeper meaning:

“I have a lot of smiles from today, but the best part is when a veteran came up to us happily proclaiming ‘these are Christian dogs!’ These veterans truly received God’s light shining on them as they were honored, appreciated and seen. What a special way for them to begin and end their journey.”

A city in shock will mourn together again tonight. 

Eight children, aged 3 to 11, were killed early Sunday morning in a domestic dispute in Shreveport, LA, in the nation’s deadliest mass shooting in more than two years. The community will gather at 6 p.m. for a candlelight vigil in the Cedar Grove neighborhood where the incident occurred.

Lutheran Church Charities will be there. 

Upon the invitation of Rev. Eric Johnson, President of LCMS Southern District, and Pastor Paul Ernewein, District Disaster Response Coordinator, LCC is responding to this heartbreaking tragedy by deploying a team of volunteers from Oklahoma and Mississippi representing LCC’s K-9 Comfort Dogs, Cares, and Hearts of Mercy & Compassionministries. Together, they will bring presence, conversation, prayer, and an additional layer of wraparound care and comfort for the community.

The team, which will include K-9 Comfort Dog Persis (Christ The Redeemer – Tulsa, OK) will set up eight hearts and crosses for the community to sign, with the HMCs eventually going to the mothers and families to have for their grief journey. 

“We want them to know that they are not alone in this time of deep sorrow — and they are deeply loved,” said Sarah Sekki, Director of LCC’s HMC ministry.  

Seven of the victims were children of the suspected gunman. The eighth was a cousin. Two women, including the man’s wife, also were shot but are expected to survive. 

At a Sunday news conference, Shreveport mayor Tom Arceneaux asked the public to pray at church services later that morning and described the overwhelming magnitude of the incident, saying it had devastated the entire community. “We have hurting families, we have hurting police officers, hurting coroner’s personnel, a hurting fire department. This is maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” he said.  

LCC volunteers will be present Thursday morning for the 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. roll calls of the Shreveport Police Department – Area 4 Substation, which responded to the incident. The team will present Hearts of Gratitude to the station at each event, then they will attempt to visit the 911 Dispatch Center and Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office.  

LCC sends volunteer ministry teams as a reminder to struggling communities that people across the nation love and support them. LCC seeks to provide those impacted by natural disaster or tragedy with opportunities to process their trauma and receive messages of love and hope, ultimately finding the solace that can only come from Jesus. 

On Friday, April 17, the students and staff at Hallsburg Independent School District in Hallsburg , TX, felt the absence of a familiar and cherished presence, Becky Allen. News of her tragic car accident had reached families the night before, with letters sent home to help parents guide their children through a loss too heavy for words alone.

By mid-morning, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Martha (Bethany - Austin, TX) and her dedicated team arrived, bringing with them a gentle kind of support. At the center of it all was Martha, a comfort dog whose calm eyes and slow, steady steps seemed to say more than anyone else could.

Students gathered cautiously at first—some clutching tissues, others holding tightly to friends. Teachers and staff lingered nearby, carrying their own grief quietly. Martha didn’t rush. She simply sat, leaned in, and let the students come to her. One by one, small hands reached out. Some students knelt beside her, burying their faces into her soft fur. Others just sat close, finding comfort in her quiet presence.
Bethany, Martha’s handler, spoke gently with those who needed words. Austin stood nearby, offering reassurance in small ways—a nod, a smile, a listening ear. They didn’t try to fix the sadness. They just made space for it.

As the hours passed, something subtle began to shift. The tears didn’t disappear, but they softened. Laughter—quiet at first—returned in small bursts. Stories about Becky were shared: her kindness, her patience, the way she made students feel seen. Grief, once heavy and isolating, became something shared.
Later, Bethany reflected on the day.

“People were grieving when we got there,” she said. “They seemed better when we left. We were very well received. Glad we were able to help.”

When the team finally packed up to leave, Martha paused at the door, as if sensing the weight she had helped lift. Behind her, the school still mourned—but it no longer felt quite as alone.

At Crean Lutheran High School in Orange, California, the community is navigating an incredibly difficult season after the tragic loss of a beloved senior, Ryder. As a well-known football player, his presence touched many, especially the 88 young men who stood beside him as teammates, friends, and brothers.
In moments like these, words often fall short. Grief shows up in silence, in tears, in confusion—and in the quiet need for comfort.

Answering the Call for Compassion

In response to this profound loss, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams were invited to step in and serve. Requested by counselor Ellie Beavis, the visit marked a first for Crean—an opportunity for students and staff to experience this unique ministry in action.

The teams present included Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, CA), Rahab (St. Andrews - Stockton, CA), Salome (Faith Community - Las Vegas, NV), and Zechariah (First Good Shepherd - Las Vegas, NV) Comfort Dogs, each bringing their own presence of peace, compassion, and care.

For many, it was their first encounter with the simple yet powerful presence of comfort dogs—offering calm, safety, and unconditional love during a time of deep sorrow.

A Ministry of Presence

This ministry is not just about dogs—it’s about being present. It’s about listening without judgment, offering a steady hand, and creating space where healing can begin.

Through gentle interactions, quiet companionship, and heartfelt conversations, students began to open up—many for the first time. The comfort dogs became a bridge, allowing emotions to surface in a way that felt safe and natural.

Moments That Matter: Stories from the Visit

The impact of the visit was felt in deeply personal ways:

• One young football player, overwhelmed with emotion, found solace sitting beside a comfort dog. Afterward, he expressed heartfelt gratitude, sharing how much it meant that the teams showed up for them.
• A student named Azalea, still grieving the recent loss of her own dog, returned multiple times to spend moments with Micah. She shared that she felt “seen” and comforted in a way she hadn’t expected.
• Staff members, including counselors and school leaders, witnessed firsthand how powerful this ministry can be—not just for students, but for adults carrying the weight of leadership and care.
• Even small gestures, like a student baking cookies as a thank-you, reflected the growing sense of connection and appreciation.

Healing the Team, One Step at a Time
For Ryder’s teammates, the journey through grief is especially complex. In a culture where emotions can be hard to express, the presence of comfort dogs created a space where vulnerability felt acceptable.

Tears were shed. Stories were shared. And slowly, healing began.

As one handler reflected, simply being there—sitting beside these young men as they processed their emotions—made a meaningful difference. That care extended beyond the dogs themselves.

Comfort dog “stuffies” were shared with students, leaving a dozen with counselors for those in greatest need and placing the rest directly into the hands of students—especially football players who came in after the assembly and others who returned seeking a little extra comfort.

Each one was received with deep gratitude, a tangible reminder that they were not alone. In both forms—the living presence of the dogs and the keepsakes they left behind—peace and even small moments of joy began to take root among hurting hearts.

Being the Light in Dark Times

In times of grief, presence matters. Compassion matters. Love matters.

The teams who served at Crean lived out the words of Gospel of Matthew 5:13–16—being salt and light in a moment that needed both.

They showed up.
They listened.
They cared.

And in doing so, they brought hope into a place that needed it most.

Moving Forward Together

The road ahead for Crean’s students, staff, and especially the football team will take time. Healing is not immediate—but it is possible.

And sometimes, it begins with something as simple as a quiet presence, a listening ear… and a gentle dog reminding you that you are not alone.

As springtime arrives at Crete High School in Nebraska, the hallways still feel heavy. Not as weighty and grief-filled as earlier this school year but the need to heal remains.

School counselor Jay Quinn knew just who to call — the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs.

“Your dogs came to us in an emergency and were a huge part of our immediate relief,” he said. “But we have some on-going healing still happening and wanted the dogs to come back.”

In February, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry sent seven teams to the school after a junior named Tommy unexpectedly passed away, leaving a sense of loss rippling across every classroom. Tommy had grown up here. He was known, involved, loved. For many students, this was the first time they had ever experienced the death of someone their own age. The handlers and dog stepped into the ache.

This time, K-9 Comfort Dogs Glory (Christ Lutheran – Lincoln, NE), Keren (Immanuel – Ellsworth, KS), and Meshach (Peace – Grand Island, NE), all of whom served before, showed up again to uplift spirits, encourage, and show love to a hurting community.

The comfort dogs’ presence drew an immediate response.

“Several students literally came running over when they saw that the dogs were back and were full of hugs with the dogs,” a ministry partner with Glory said.

One female student leaned in close to Glory with a whispered message: “You can stay; you can just stay here with me.” The dogs and their teams were offering the kind of hope and courage that students wanted to take home.   

“It was wonderful to see the joy in their faces this time,” a handler for Glory said.

Nearby, Keren and her team also had a wonderful experience to see some of the same students again after the tragedy earlier in the year.

“There was one girl that remembered Keren and sat with her for the entire lunch period,” a Keren handler said. “Another student wanted to know why they couldn't be there every day.”

Many students asked about the other dogs who had visited before.

Crete’s school counselor could see the impact of the K-9 teams’ visit right away.

“There were smiles all around,” Quinn shared. “The students loved the contact with the dogs! Not all kids are willing to share their struggles. But all needed the unconditional love the dogs could bring — to find some positives in their day. LCC provided that.”

The stress of military life is challenging. Combat exposure, long deployments, frequent relocations, family separation. These factors often lead to chronic anxiety, depression, and strain on relationships..

After a suicide death of a military member, the 926th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vagas, NV, has been grappling with high stress and grief, needing the comfort and support of their loved ones.

So they organized a Family Day at a local park and invited LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs to join them.

Four Comfort Dogs teams from Nevada and California arrived with wagging tails, furry coats, and smiling faces to uplift the base community and their families:  Lois (First Good Shepherd – Las Vegas, NV), Micah (Light of the Valley – Elk Grove, CA), Salome (Faith Community – Las Vegas, NV), and Zechariah (First Good Shepherd – Las Vegas, NV).  

In a shady spot near some blankets, Zechariah was approached by a young lady named Hannah, who had come by to visit a few times, clearly enjoying the love Zechariah was providing. “She didn’t speak to anyone but just went right up and snuggled with him,” one handler said. Zechariah willingly complied, sensing the joy she felt from his presence. 

Nearby, Salome laid down near a fifth-grade girl who was very quiet and continually pet and hugged on Salome. “She didn’t smile very much, but she seemed very comforted by all the dogs and came back several times,” another handler recalled.

Lois’s team said they enjoyed being with military families. “They were very appreciative that the dogs and were there,” a handler shared. Presence means a lot.

“I saw a lot of God in the eyes of children as they approached the dogs — some afraid, some not,” a handler for Micah said. “They were all so warm and loving towards the dogs.”

The buses rolled in under a heavy sky on Tuesday morning in Kentucky. Spring break had ended, but something far deeper lingered in the hearts of students and staff in the Crittenden County School District, KY.

Grief. Uncertainty. Waiting.

Their school resource officer, Deputy Rick Coyle, a man known not only for his badge but for his heart, lay in critical condition after a tragic shooting. A protector, a mentor, a friend. A husband. A man who had spent decades serving others, first on the streets of Chicago and now in the quiet rhythms of a rural community that had come to love him.

And into that silence, into that waiting, came a different kind of first responder.

Seven LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams from Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, and Missouri, brought their quiet presence, wagging tails, and open hearts.

• Eternity and Magdalene (Cornerstone -  Carmel, IN)
• Tabby and Zion (St. Paul -  Des Peres, MO)
• Noah (Timothy - St. Louis, MO)
• Job (Christ the King - Memphis, TN)
• Rachel (Immanuel - Charleston, IL)
  
  

They came because they were called.

A Community in Need of Peace

Superintendent Tanya Driver knew what her schools would face when students returned.

“I can’t thank you all enough. The day was perfect,” she later shared. “The impact was immeasurable. Not only did the dogs’ presence uplift our students, but also our staff. It provided much needed times of peace and joy during an otherwise difficult week.”

She had reached out in faith—and the answer came in the form of paws on pavement and ministry in motion.

At each of the district’s three schools—the elementary, middle, and high school—the Comfort Dog teams were there before the first bell rang. They greeted students as they stepped off buses, just as they had in other communities shaken by tragedy. A quiet welcome. A soft place to land.

Team in Action

“It was so good to be working as a team,” shared Zion’s handler. “My word is TEAM. From the beginning prayer to our closing prayer, it was a day full of comfort… We were a TEAM to serve.”

That unity mattered.

At the middle school, one moment stood still above the rest—a young boy, the son of the second officer involved in the shooting, unsure if his own father had been harmed. He stayed for a long time, quietly petting Zion.

No words could fix that moment.

But presence could hold it.

“I am grateful that we had our TEAM on site to reach out… especially this boy,” the handler said.

Seen and Valued

In a small community, it can be easy to feel overlooked by the wider world. But on this day, that wasn’t the case.

“As I reflect on the day, I'm vacillating between the words ‘seen’ and ‘valued,’” said Job’s handler. “Many were amazed that we came from several different places… just to bring the dogs for the day. I hope our presence conveyed the loving care that God feels for all of us.”

Seen.
Valued.
Loved.
Not because of anything they had done—but because of who they are in Christ.

A Place to Release
Sometimes grief doesn’t come out all at once. Sometimes it needs space.

Magdalene’s handler witnessed that sacred unfolding in a teacher who returned again and again throughout the day.

“At first, our conversations were light,” she shared. “But as the day went on, they became much deeper.”

The teacher spoke of her students—the ones she had loved and taught for years. The weight she carried for them. The reason she couldn’t step away from her calling.

“She just can’t bring herself to retire… because she worries about ‘her kids’ too much.”

And in that space, surrounded by comfort and grace, something holy happened.

“Today was a reminder that sometimes the most important thing we can offer is simply being present… creating space for someone to release what they’ve been carrying.”

The Power of Being Present

“My word is presence,” shared Eternity’s handler.

A quiet student sat with Eternity and Magdalene, gently petting them. What began as small talk slowly revealed deeper struggles—uncertainty, fear, the weight of life beyond school walls.

“In that moment, what she needed most was to be heard… to not feel alone.”

“You are not alone. We are praying for you.”

“It reminded us that we are not always placed where we expect to make an impact,” the handler reflected, “but rather where we are needed most.”

Peace That Passes Understanding

At the elementary school—set apart from the others but not forgotten—Tabby and Noah brought comfort to a different kind of audience.

The children, many too young to fully understand, simply leaned in for love.

But the teachers knew.

And they came.

“Grateful,” Tabby’s handler said. “I believe each one of them took time to be comforted.”

One teacher, Kayla Davis Maxfield, described something deeper than words:

“It was truly a deep, quiet kind of calm… I have never experienced anything quite like it. Tears welled in my eyes… I was so overcome with peace.”

She reflected on God’s design—how these animals bring healing simply by being.

“It made me think about the reminder in Exodus… that the Lord will fight for us, and we only need to be still.”

Stillness in the storm.
Peace in the waiting.
God, present.

Appreciative and Thankful

Rachel’s team summed up the day in two words: appreciative and thankful.

“We were overwhelmed with how everyone… was so appreciative and thankful that we were there. And in return, we were so appreciative and thankful that we could be there.”

It was a mutual exchange of grace.
A community receiving comfort.
A ministry witnessing God at work.

Love That Stays

Deputy Rick Coyle’s story is still being written in the hearts of those he served. A man of integrity. A protector. A servant leader who made people better.

Even now, as his community waits and prays, his impact remains.

And so does the impact of a different kind of ministry—one that shows up, sits down, and stays.

No sermons.
No speeches.
Just presence.
Just love.

Because sometimes, in the face of tragedy, the most powerful testimony is not what we say--
It’s that we came.

For LERT volunteer and team leader Mark Razny, serving the community doesn’t always require a chainsaw or a muck bucket. Sometimes, all it takes is being there when someone asks.

When he heard that the neighboring community of Crete, IL, had endured a very tragic week, he knew the townspeople needed the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs — and ready to respond were the teams for Caleb (Immanuel – Valparaiso, IN), Jael (Trinity – Hobart, IN), and Michael (LCC Staff).

Crete’s tragic week began on March 23, when a woman allegedly shot an ex-boyfriend and then killed his mother and father in their home. Later that week, a grandfather and his three grandchildren were trapped in a burning home and perished. Three days later, a large family gathering allegedly turned into a domestic dispute and gun battle with three people shot, one of whom died at an area hospital. Two others are still in critical condition.

For a community of 15,000, Crete was rocked by this series of tragic events.

Recognizing the impact on its residents, Crete officials organized a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) last weekend and requested the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs to be present for help in offering mental health and support services for the community.

Over two days at the Crete Public Library, the Comfort Dogs and their handlers sat with, encouraged, and prayed with residents, children, town officials, and first responders who needed a few moments of quiet, peace, and encouragement.

On Thursday, Caleb and Michael visited with children and Crete residents, bringing smiles and joy. Their soft fur and waggy tails served as a welcome break from the anxiety and hurt felt around town.

On Saturday, Jael joined Caleb and Michael for a second afternoon of presence, cuddles, and friendly pets. Handlers listened to stories and offered support for the trauma that the community was still feeling.

“In a small community, to have three incidents like that in a few days is heavy and heartbreaking,” one handler said. “The people we met were so thankful to have some time to put that out of their minds and connect with a caring person. We were grateful to be able to be present with them.”

LCC thanks the following K-9 Comfort Dog volunteers: 
Hollye Blossom (Jael)
Joe Cunningham (Caleb)
Dan Fulkerson (Michael)
Kristen Kearney (Caleb)
Nancy Lashenik (Jael)

At Marie Montessori at Marsh School, Bella was a beloved student, known for her creativity, kindness, and joy.

A published author as middle schooler, she had a remarkable spirit and was gifted at expressing herself in ways that inspired her classmates.

When she passed away in April, the loss was immense for the entire school community.

“Together, we remember, we grieve, and we honor a life that meant so much to so many,” the school shared on its Facebook page.

To help students process their sorrow and sadness, four LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs from Illinois and Wisconsin visited the campus in Rockford, IL, to spend time with the 130 seventh- and eighth-graders

Responding to the call to be there for the school’s oldest two grades were LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Abednego (Immanuel – Crystal Lake, IL), Bethesda (St. Matthew – Hawthorn Woods, IL), Mary (St. Paul’s – Janesville, WI) and Rejoice (St. Paul’s – Janesville, WI), who sat in on an English lesson with seventh-graders and cuddled with eighth-graders between classes.

As only a comfort dog can, the four golden retrievers nuzzled students’ arms and positioned their bodies next to their middle school friends for pets and hugs.

“These seventh-grade boys sat and pet Bethesda for 20 minutes while their teacher read them a story from a book they were studying in English. I was so wonderful to watch the love being shared between them,” shared one handler.   

“The staff was so kind and Bella was very loved by her teachers and classmates. They had lots of wonderful memories of her.”

Bella had recently shared her heart and care for others through a book she wrote called YOUniquely Made about embracing one’s own story.

Her classmates also recalled in 2024 when Bella’s artwork was selected to be the design for a special jersey of the Rockford IceHogs, a local minor league hockey team, which was celebrating a literacy initiative. The school shared the video short the team filmed about her: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1293018398709355

The LCC teams could sense God’s presence and love during their visit, praying for the students, teachers, and staff.

“Through the crisis of the loss of a fellow student, so many sad hearts finding a bit of healing and comfort with the dogs’ help. It was beautiful to witness the love for a fellow student who lived a remarkable life,” another handler said. “These students loved on each other, loved and hugged our dogs, and were loved on by their teachers and support staff.”


LCC joins in the ongoing prayers for peace and comfort for the entire community of Marie Montessori at Marsh School.

Found

Luke 15:4-6 (NIV)
 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the 99 in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’”

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Seven

Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV)
 “Then Peter came up and said to Him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven time, but seventy-seven times.’”

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Both puppies are starting to bond with their volunteer apprentice trainers as they work on socialization, training, and new adventures ahead.

Please enjoy following them on social media as they start their journeys to become LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs.