LCC K-9 Ministry Teams Return to Allen, Texas, as Mall Reopens Nearly One Month after Mass Shooting6/6/2023
 On Wednesday, May 31, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog® Ministry was invited back to Allen Premium Outlets in Allen, Texas, to be present as the mall reopened nearly one month after a mass shooting that took place on May 6, killing eight people. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Elijah (Our Redeemer – Wichita Fall, Texas), Miriam (Emmanuel – Kingfisher, Oklahoma), Pax (St. Paul – Fort Worth, Texas), Persis (King of Kings – Glenpool, Oklahoma), Phoebe (St. Paul – Fort Worth, Texas), Triton (Messiah – Plano, Texas) and their teams were a comforting presence to the employees as they returned to work. The shoppers were also happy to see the Comfort Dogs.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Pax's & Phoebe's team shared: "Emotions ran high for some. But we soon discovered they had a lot in common. We noticed their desire to be around us and talk with our team members. Inside the stores, by the flagpole, and under the tent, we found many who wanted to just take a little time and be with us. We are so glad they did!" The teams received a very special card. The front was made from the artwork of one of the students who was a victim, Daniela. The card was signed by the teachers and staff of Cox Elementary. The note inside read: "The front of this card is the beautiful artwork of Daniela. The unfinished artwork reminds us that this is not the end and that there is still work to do. It inspires us to continue to teach, love, and guide every student in our care. Love is stronger."
Please join us in praying for the staff and community as they continue to grieve and process the tragedy that took place at the Allen Premium Outlets.
 A Week of Remembrance and HealingDuring the past week, Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog® Ministry was present in Uvalde, Texas, for the one-year anniversary of the Robb Elementary School mass shooting that occurred on May 24, 2022, killing nineteen students and two teachers. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Abner (Bethany – Austin, Texas), Damaris (Memorial – Katy, Texas), Gabriel (Messiah – Houston, Texas), Gideon (St. Michael – Bloomington, Minnesota), Jael (Trinity – Hobart, Indiana), Joanna (Christ – Lincoln, Nebraska), Joy (Gloria Dei – Houston, Texas), Martha (Bethany – Austin, Texas), Peace (Trinity – Orlando, Florida), Persis (King of Kings – Glenpool, Oklahoma), and Triton (Messiah – Plano, Texas) were a support to the community as they commemorated the anniversary of the tragic shooting. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams were present at vigils comforting families and the community. They spent time with the staff at Uvalde Memorial Hospital, who cared for the wounded. They visited each of the Uvalde Schools, providing a calming presence to the students and teachers. They were a frequent presence at the local Walmart, providing an opportunity for the community to spend time with the Comfort Dogs. On Wednesday, May 24, the anniversary date of the shooting, the teams walked with the community through this heartbreaking day as they remembered the 21 lives lost one year ago.
On Friday evening, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Abner, Gideon, Jael, Martha, Peace, and Persis and their handlers celebrated with families and friends of the seniors graduating from Uvalde High School. It was an honor to be invited to attend as a support to them on this very special occasion.
Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President & CEO, presented LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion to the school bus drivers who, on the day of the Uvalde shooting, transported children who were wounded inside Robb Elementary School to the hospital.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams are grateful for the warm welcome in Uvalde to help process many painful memories and emotions brought up as the community honored the 21 lives lost last year. We treasure the Uvalde community, lift them up in ongoing prayer and feel honored to be a small part of their healing.
Here are a few Facebook comments on our presence in Uvalde: Thank you for coming. You are always welcome here.
 A Week of Remembrance and HealingOn Sunday, May 21, Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog® Ministry arrived in Uvalde, Texas, to be present for the one-year anniversary of the Robb Elementary School mass shooting that occurred on May 24, 2022, killing nineteen students and two teachers. LCC was invited by Rev. Michael W. Newman, President, Texas District Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), and Rev. Mark W. Tews of Trinity Lutheran Church in Uvalde. Also present in Uvalde is Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President & CEO, and Bonnie Fear, LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator.
In May and June 2022, Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) Ministry responded to the Robb Elementary School Shooting in Uvalde, Texas. In September 2022, the LCC K-9 Ministry teams returned to Uvalde for the first three weeks to help students, teachers, and staff as they returned to school. A Week of Remembrance and Healing On Sunday, the teams were present at Uvalde Town Square Memorial Site, where they met several teachers from the Uvalde schools who remembered the Comfort Dogs from their previous visit in September. On Monday, eleven of the returning LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams spent time with the students at eight of the Uvalde schools. It was their last day of school. The students and staff were so happy and touched to see the Comfort Dogs and handlers as they had become friends. On Tuesday, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs visited with the staff at Uvalde Memorial Hospital. We remember them as they cared for the wounded and the families. 
During their week in Uvalde, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams will also spend time in the community in different locations sharing the presence of comfort and love on the anniversary date of May 24. On Friday, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Abner, Gideon, Jael, Martha, Peace, and Persis will visit with the teachers and staff at each of the Uvalde schools. On Friday evening, those LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and handlers will celebrate with families and friends of the seniors graduating from Uvalde High School. It is an honor to be invited to attend as a support to them on this very special occasion. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams look forward to continuing to build on the relationships they started in the Uvalde community last year and help process many painful memories and emotions brought up as we honor the 21 lives lost last year.
WE REMEMBER
 On Monday. May 22 LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Emma (LCC Staff), Julia (King of Glory - Elgin, Illinois), LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs in training Galilee and Samaria were invited for an emergency site visit to Hill Crest Elementary School following the tragic death of Angel, 1st grade student.
The Comfort Dogs and their handlers spent time with the students and staff, helping them process the devastating news and listening to stories about Angel. Some students shared that he gave the best hugs to his lunch room buddy. At the end of our visit we saw smiles at the students' faces. Please pray for Angel's family and friends as they grieve his sudden passing.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Elijah (Our Redeemer – Wichita Falls, Texas), Martha (Bethany – Austin, Texas), Miriam (Emmanuel - Kingfisher, Oklahoma), Pax and Phoebe (St. Paul – Fort Worth, Texas), Persis (King of Kings – Glenpool, Oklahoma), and Triton (Messiah – Plano, Texas) and their handlers were present to listen to those who are grieving, bringing them comfort, love, friendship, hope, and prayer.  The teams spent time with students and staff at Cheri Cox Elementary School, where Daniela and Sofia Mendoza attended. Daniela was a fourth-grade student, and Sofia was a second-grader. The teams also brought comfort to staff and students at The Learning Experience, the preschool that James Cho, age 3, attended. In addition, they visited with students and staff at Mary Evans Elementary School, Allen High School, McKinney Boyd High School, Lowery Freshman Center, and staff at the Allen Independent School District office.
In the afternoon, the teams visited first responders at the Allen Police Department, Allen 911 Dispatch, Allen Central Fire Station, and the Collin County Medical Examiners Office. James Casner, Assistant LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator, presented LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) to the Allen Police Department and Allen Central Fire Station, and Keith Leimbach, Top Dog for LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Miriam (Emmanuel – Kingfisher, Oklahoma) presented an HMC and mini stuffed dog to Allen 911 Dispatch. The scripture on the hearts is Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion and crosses were placed at the Allen Premium Outlets memorial site. Throughout the week, people signed and left condolence messages, prayed, and paid their respects in honor of the eight lives lost. The teams listened as people shared stories of being there that day. Please join LCC as we pray for Allen, Texas community during this incredibly difficult time and for all of the first responders who heroically responded to a very difficult scene.
LCC's 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. Please support us by prayer, and if you are so moved, help us with travel expenses. Thank you for being a part of the Mercy and Compassion Ministry of Lutheran Church Charities. On Saturday, May 6, eight people were killed, and many were injured, some with critical injuries. Shoppers and mall staff were running to hide as a gunman got out of his car and began shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets in Allen, Texas. The heroic actions of a law enforcement officer present at the mall saved many lives. We pray for and grieve with the families of those killed in this latest tragedy: Kyu Song Cho (37), Cindy Cho (35), James Cho (3), Elio Cumana-Rivas (32), Christian LaCour (20), Daniela Mendoza (11), Sofia Mendoza (8), and Aishwarya Thatikonda (26).
In less than 24 hours, Lutheran Church Charities was invited by Rev. Michael Newman, President, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Texas District, to bring the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion to the shocked and hurting community that has been greatly impacted by this horrific event.  Bonnie Fear, LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator, James Casner, Assistant LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator, and the following LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams arrived on Sunday to be with families, survivors, and all of the first responders who serve them. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Elijah (Our Redeemer – Wichita Falls, Texas), Martha (Bethany – Austin, Texas), Miriam (Emmanuel - Kingfisher, Oklahoma), Pax and Phoebe (St. Paul – Fort Worth, Texas), Persis (King of Kings – Glenpool, Oklahoma), and Triton (Messiah – Plano, Texas) and their handlers are present this week to listen to those who are grieving, bringing them comfort, love, friendship, hope, and prayer. On Sunday evening, the LCC K-9 Ministry teams were present for those who attended the Cottonwood Baptist Church community vigil.
On Monday, the hearts/crosses were placed at the Allen Premium Outlet memorial site for people to sign and leave condolence messages, pray, and pay their respects in honor of the eight lives lost. The teams listened as people shared stories of being there that day. The teams have also visited with students, teachers, and staff at Allen High School, Mary Evans Elementary School, Cheri Cox Elementary School, and The Learning Experience to help calm fears and comfort the sadness they are experiencing. Pastor Will Kemp from Tangible Grace Lutheran Fellowship partnered with the teams for the Allen High School visit.  The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers also spent time with first responders at the Allen Police Department, Allen Central Fire Station, Allen 911 Dispatch, and other schools in the Allen Independent School District this week as invited.
Please join LCC as we pray for Allen, Texas community during this incredibly difficult time and for all of the first responders who heroically responded to a very difficult scene. LCC's 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. |
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