 The K-9s Are Eager to Comfort Whoever Needs Them, No Matter Where They Are For the last two weeks, LCC has deployed to Uvalde, Texas, approximately ten LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their teams per week. On Monday, September 19, the third and final wave of nine LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their teams from across the country arrived in Uvalde to continue their calming and comforting presence following the tragic Robb Elementary School shooting in May. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Abner (Bethany - Austin, Texas), Charity (Brookfield - Brookfield, Wisconsin), Gideon (St. Michael’s - Bloomington, Minnesota), Jael (Trinity - Hobart, Indiana), Martha (Bethany - Austin, Texas), Mary (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin), Miriam (Emmanuel - Kingfisher, Oklahoma), Peace (Trinity - Orlando, Florida), and Triton (Messiah - Plano, Texas) will be a continual presence sharing love and comfort with the children and staff at the Uvalde schools as they begin their third week of school.  This week was off to a great start! When the students saw a new LCC K-9 Comfort Dog for the first time, there was much joy and excitement. Throughout the week, students will start to open up more as they find comfort in the familiar faces. “Some kids who remember the dogs [from the memorial, a few months back] are starting to talk to the dogs,” said Bonnie Fear, LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator. The kids are laying beside the dogs, hugging and kissing them. “We’ve had kids who were distraught or teary-eyed in the morning, and by the time the dogs left, they have smiles on their faces,” she said. Providing Unconditional Love and Encouragement During Second Week of School (September 12-16) As the second wave of LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their teams wrapped up their week in Uvalde, they were amazed by all the teachers, counselors, office staff, and principals in the Uvalde school district. These incredible educators have set their own fears and anxieties to the side as they put the children of Uvalde first. “Our goal is to be present with those that are hurting and in need, and we show up and just be with them in whatever they’re feeling,” said Bonnie Fear.  A Mini Stuffed LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Can Provide Lasting Comfort
LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry never goes where we are not invited and never charges those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. We pick up all of our travel, hotel, and meal costs.
Please prayerfully consider donating to the LCC K-9 Comfort Travel Expense Fund so that we can continue serving the Uvalde community.
 Last week, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Kezia (Emmanuel - Baltimore, Maryland) visited with the preschool students at St. Paul's Lutheran, Glen Burnie, Maryland. Kezia did what she was trained to do: love and comfort those who needed her.
The preschool students and teachers are grieving the loss of one of the preschool students who passed away last week. Kezia Comfort Dog was there to collect their gentle tears on her fur, accept lots of hugs, and be a tender and calming presence to all the preschool students at St Paul. We lift up in prayer the family, friends, and teachers who knew and loved this beloved child of God.  On Monday, September 12, the second wave of ten LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their teams arrived in Uvalde, Texas, to continue their calming and comforting presence following the tragic Robb Elementary School Shooting in May. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Caleb (Immanuel - Valparaiso, Indiana), Claudia (Trinity - Toledo, Ohio), Eden (Peace - Columbus, Nebraska), Gabriel (Messiah - Houston, Texas), Joanna (Christ Lincoln - Lincoln, Nebraska), Job (Christ the King - Memphis, Tennessee), Keren (Immanuel - Ellsworth, Kansas), Pax (St. Paul - Fort Worth, Texas), Persis (King of Kings - Glenpool, Oklahoma), and Phoebe (St. Paul - Fort Worth, Texas) will be a continual presence sharing love and comfort with the children and staff at the Uvalde schools as they begin their second week of school. The K-9s and their teams will be present at the District’s eight schools for three weeks each morning, from September 6 to September 23. They will also be available to the parents to be present with them during their healing process.  Providing Unconditional Love and Encouragement During First Week of School (September 6-10) Last week, the first wave of LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Abner (Bethany - Austin, Texas), Cubby and Devorah (Redeemer - Fort Collins, Colorado), Damaris (Memorial - Katy, Texas), Elijah (Our Redeemer - Wichita Falls, Texas), Joy (Gloria Dei - Houston, Texas), Katie (Trinity - Fremont, Nebraska), Martha (Bethany - Austin, Texas), Priscilla (Trinity - Lincoln, Nebraska), and Triton (Messiah - Plano, Texas) provided unconditional love, comfort, and encouragement at the Uvalde schools. When the students got off the school bus and saw the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs, their faces lit up with a smile as they recognized their friends. When needed, one of the Comfort Dogs and their handler would walk with a child who was uncertain or afraid, giving them a gentle distraction from their fears. The teachers, counselors, and staff are working tirelessly to make sure the children feel safe, protected, and cared for as the relocated students adjust to a new class and school. Receiving the love and comfort from the K-9s greatly helped with the transition.  LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry never goes where we are not invited and never charges those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. We pick up all of our travel, hotel, and meal costs.
Please prayerfully consider donating to the LCC K-9 Comfort Travel Expense Fund so that we can continue serving the Uvalde community.
 On Monday, September 5, the first wave of ten LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their teams arrived in Uvalde, Texas, to be a calming and comforting presence for the students, teachers, and staff as they return to school this week following the tragic Robb Elementary School Shooting in May. The K-9s and their teams will be present at the District’s eight schools for three weeks each morning, from September 6 to September 23. They will also be available to the parents to walk with them during their healing process.  Soon after their arrival, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Abner (Bethany - Austin, Texas), Cubby and Devorah (Redeemer - Fort Collins, Colorado), Damaris (Memorial - Katy, Texas), Elijah (Our Redeemer - Wichita Falls, Texas), Joy (Gloria Dei - Houston, Texas), Katie (Trinity - Fremont, Nebraska), Martha (Bethany - Austin, Texas), Priscilla (Trinity - Lincoln, Nebraska), and Triton (Messiah - Plano, Texas) and their handlers visited with families at the memorial site, with LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses still present.
LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry never goes where we are not invited and never charges those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. We pick up all of our travel, hotel, and meal costs.
Please prayerfully consider donating to the LCC K-9 Comfort Travel Expense Fund so that we can continue serving the Uvalde community.  Kaylee Gansberg, a much-loved 2019 graduate of Lisle High School, Lisle, Illinois, was tragically killed by a drunk driver while walking with a friend last weekend. Kaylee graduated from Lisle High School in 2019 and had one more year before graduating from Western Michigan University as a fine arts major. She was a talented artist and loved photography. On Tuesday, August 30, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Angel (St. John’s - La Grange, Illinois), Eve (St. John’s - Lombard, Illinois), Jael (Trinity - Hobart, Indiana), Levi (Immanuel - East Dundee, Illinois), Myra (St. Andrews - Park Ridge, Illinois), LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Brutus (LCC Squad) and Nigel (LCC Staff), LCC K-9 Comfort Dog In Training Daniel and their handlers were at Lisle High School to bring a presence of love and comfort to the staff and students as they mourn the loss of Kaylee Gansberg. Kaylee's mom is the school attendance secretary at Lisle High School, where Kaylee's younger brother attended as well. Lisle High School staff and students shared wonderful memories of Kaylee and her talents as an artist while they spent a quiet and calming time with the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs. Those memories they hold are precious. On Saturday, September 3, the community of Lisle, Illinois, gathered at a candlelight vigil to share memories and their love for Kaylee. Friends and family wore white in remembrance of the joy Kaylee brought to their lives. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Isaiah and Jael (Trinity - Hobart, Indiana), Julia (King of Glory - Elgin, Illinois), Myra (St. Andrews - Park Ridge, Illinois), Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois), Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois), and LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Squad), with their handlers, shared love, comfort, and a calming presence with those who miss and mourn their beautiful Kaylee.
 Lynda Streich, Interim LCC President/CEO with Abednego and Meshach The LCC K-9 Ministry continues to grow as we welcome two new additions to our training school at Northbrook, Illinois. The pups’ names are Abednego and Meshach.  These adorable puppies will begin their journey of training to be an LCC K-9 Comfort Dog. Through time, patience, repetition, consistency, love, and guidance from their apprentice trainers, one day, Abednego and Meshach will serve as a bridge with two other congregations to reach those who are suffering or in need. Abednego and Meshach are already a delight to have as part of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs in training. We ask that you keep the apprentice trainers and these new male pups in your prayers, asking for God’s continual guidance and encouragement as they begin this new journey
Lutheran Church Charities is always recruiting new volunteers to help train these amazing animals. We will have more puppies arriving soon and need more volunteers to nurture and train them. If you are interested in joining us on this mission, please contact LCC at k9trainers@lutheranchurchcharities.org for further information or visit our website at https://www.lutheranchurchcharities.org/traink9s.html.
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