 Our K-9 Comfort Dogs and Handlers are missing you – because we are restricted in doing what we do! God is still very active and wants us to serve you! “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands … and he will lift you up.” James 4:8-10 Where there is a WILL there is a way! Social distancing does not mean that we cannot be close and personal! We want to lift you up … listen to you … pray with you. Smile with you and let you know you are loved. Let you know YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
So, although we will honor Social Distancing – We are not Social Disconnecting! Jesus does not do social distancing – He is always there! Our Comfort Dogs, Handlers, Veterans, Retired First Responders are waiting to connect with you! We love you and want to see you! Making A Difference by Staying Connected!  LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Barnabas (Trinity - Hobart, Indiana) LCC never goes where we are not invited and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry NEVER charges those we serve.
With regular visits suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak, LCC K-9 Ministry teams continue to use creative ways to stay connected with schools, nursing homes, living assistance, and more. During this time of social distancing, even if it's only virtual or through a glass door, their presence is needed more than ever! LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Amos (Our Savior's Way - Ashburn, Virginia) Amos Comfort Dog invited his Facebook friends to join him for a story time as his caregiver Matt read “If Jesus Lived Inside My Heart.” He also encouraged his followers to worship virtually with his home church.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Cubby (Redeemer - Fort Collins, Colorado) Cubby Comfort Dog and her handlers visited the outdoor courtyard at Park Regency Loveland Assisted Living. The residents were happy to see Cubby and smiled while pretending to pet her through the glass door. The team also prayed with the residents. Such a joy to serve in this way! Cubby Comfort Dog's team also distributed postcards and e-cards including Cubby's Bible verse and tips to stay healthy.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Eve (St. John's - Lombard, Illinois) Eve Comfort Dog walked with Pastor Dan Wegrzyn and his son, Daniel, to the perimeter of Park Place of Elmhurst, Illinois where they provided window visits and waved to the upper level residents, some of whom came out on their balconies. God will always provide a way!
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Joy (Gloria Dei - Houston, Texas) Joy Comfort Dog and her handlers offered prayers and virtual pets on her Facebook page asking her followers to post comments. "So today we decided, I would just sit here calmly like I do when I visit with you in person and you can give me virtual pets!! I miss you all so much, so come on... let me know you’re petting me!! Please comment and let us know who we need to pray for in your family”
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Levi (Immanuel - East Dundee, Illinois) Levi Comfort Dog and his handlers reminded his Facebook followers about the importance of reaching out and connecting with others during these challenging times: "Pick up the phone, or send an email. A harried parent, a lonely senior, or stressed college student could sure hear a supportive voice right now. Leave your prayer needs and encouraging comments to others on this post. Together, we can create a community of joy, not of fear." Levi also encouraged his followers to worship virtually with his home church.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, California) Micah Comfort Dog made the news with Pastor Jay Reed, and his handler/caregiver, Marilyn Hunter. Light of the Valley is helping their community, especially seniors by dropping off food, running errands, etc. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois) With help from his handlers, Tobias Comfort Dog posts daily inspirational messages on his Facebook page and his handler created a fun "Hello" video. Click on the picture on the left below to watch it.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Zillah (Immanuel - St. Charles, Missouri) Zillah Comfort Dog and her handlers brought her regular Monday "Reading with Zillah" to the students of a local school via a video. Zillah's team also recorded videos on their empty church campus to help spread some comfort.
Making A Difference by Staying Connected!
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams come up with creative ways to carry out the ministry during these challenging times.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Gideon (St. Michael's - Bloomington, Minnesota) Last week, Gideon Comfort Dog "visited" his friends at Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington via FaceTime! It was good to see them, even through a screen, and learn that they are doing well. On Monday, March 16, Gideon Comfort Dog made his usual Monday rounds to NC Little Hospice and Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington to visit through the windows. Everyone appreciated it and is asking Gideon Comfort Dog to come back to the windows as often as he can during this time of separation. Even in the toughest times, God will provide a way to bring His people safely together.
 LCC K-9 Ministry teams continued to serve the community in Milwaukee, Wisconsin following a workplace shooting at Molson Coors campus that occurred on Thursday, February 27, claiming the lives of six people, including the gunman. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were invited by Pastor Rob Mrosko of Brookfield Lutheran Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin to bring comfort to the workers, families, and friends of the Molson Coors employees and the surrounding communities. On Tuesday, March 3, teams were invited to spend time with workers who were in lockdown at Harley Davidson. Rich Martin, Director of K-9 Deployments with other LCC K-9 Ministry teams met with over 100 employees whose offices were directly across the street from Molson Coors where the shooting took place. It was a time to relax and refresh as employees sat with the K-9s and shared stories with the handlers.
The LCC K-9 Ministry teams also visited the Medical Examiner’s office. The employees were grateful for our presence and the comfort we provided. In a profession that serves 24/7, it was a much needed rest! We received a heartfelt thank you note from the coroner's wife: Thanks for the love, joy, and laughs that you brought to the Medical Examiner's office! We loved meeting the dogs and it was super exciting meeting your handlers! May God continue to bless you in this marvelous ministry — there’s nothing like a cold nose and a warm heart. You have a tough, yet rewarding job, so I will keep you in my prayers. The following LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers were present at various times during this deployment: Kare 9 Asher (Faith Lutheran – Lake Forest, Illinois) Barnabas & Isaiah (Trinity – Hobart, Indiana) Kare 9 Blitz (LCC Squad) Kare 9 Brandy (LCC Squad) Charity (Brookfield Lutheran – Brookfield, Wisconsin) Dora (LHSA of Greater Milwaukee) Police Ministry Dog Eve (St. John’s – Lombard, Illinois) Kare 9 Flex (LCC Squad) JoJo (Living Christ – Arlington Heights, Illinois) Julia (King of Glory – Elgin, Illinois) Lila (Beautiful Savior – Mequon, Wisconsin) Malachi (St. Matthew – Hawthorne Woods, Illinois) Mary (St. Paul’s – Janesville, Wisconsin) Myra (St. Andrews – Park Ridge, Illinois) Rhoda (Prince of Peace – Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin) Sage & Zoey (Concordia University Wisconsin – Mequon, Wisconsin) Susie (St. Peter – Arlington Heights, Illinois) Tobias (Lord of Glory – Grayslake, Illinois) Emma (LCC Staff) Ruthie (LCC Staff) Comfort Dog-in-Training Rahab Faith Lutheran – Appleton, Wisconsin (in process) Please continue to keep the people of Milwaukee and the families of Molson Coors in your prayers as they continue to heal.   Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses provides a physical and spiritual symbol through the giving of hearts and crosses to families and friends who have suffered loss or serious illness of a loved one. A caring Christian provides these symbols in order to share the hope of Jesus Christ in their time of need in Presence and Prayer. The Hearts allow people to write a message or signature on them to show their love and support for those grieving or suffering. Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses responded to the deaths of the six workers from Molson Coors through Brookfield Lutheran Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Church members volunteered to paint the hearts, sign them (after Sunday services) and begin delivering them to the families of the deceased. On Sunday evening, March 1, the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion and Crosses were brought to the vigil at Milwaukee City Hall where hundreds came to pray, sign hearts and be comforted. During our visit with Molson Coors employees on Wednesday, March 4 and on Thursday, March 5, we put out the hearts for people to sign, so that the HR department would deliver them to the families of the deceased.
Painting of hearts and fish continue at Brookfield Lutheran Church – Brookfield, Wisconsin, St. Matthew – Barrington, Illinois, Immanuel Lutheran – Belvidere, Illinois, and St. Paul – Skokie, Illinois.
Is your church interested in becoming a Mission Partner? Click here for more information and to sign up. LCC never goes where we are not invited and NEVER charges those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, hotel, and meal costs. We always put boots and paws on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite. Please help LCC as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are 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.
 Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) was blessed to have 13 affiliates from nine different states represented during the additional handler training March 7-8. LCC is happy to welcome these wonderful individuals, who have been called to go out and serve their communities carrying out LCC's mission to share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. During the training, the handlers spent a lot of time learning new handling skills and building their knowledge about the LCC Ministry. God is with each of these handlers as they go out with their churches’ LCC K-9 Comfort Dog to share the compassion, joy, and presence of Jesus within their communities. "Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:6-8 LCC welcomes the following new handlers to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry:
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