Following an invite from Pastor Nate Speerbrecker from Community of Hope Lutheran Church in Chesapeake, Virginia, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs responded with a loving and comforting presence, bringing hope to yet another devastated community affected by a mass shooting.
 
On Tuesday night, November 22, a Walmart night team lead began a deadly rampage less than an hour before the store was scheduled to close, killing six employees, injuring four (two critically), and traumatizing many Thanksgiving shoppers before taking his own life.
 
LCC also worked with Rev. Dr. Bill Harmon, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Southeast District President and pastor at King of Glory in Williamsburg, Virginia, who welcomed both the LCC K-9 Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) to continue serving the grieving communities in the Southeast District.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Amos (Our Savior's Way - Ashburn, Virginia), Claudia (Trinity - Toledo, Ohio), Kezia (Emmanuel - Baltimore, Maryland), and Solomon (King of Glory - Williamsburg, Virginia), and their handlers spent time with Chesapeake Fire Station 4 that arrived first on the scene. The teams also visited Chesapeake Fire Station 3, which responded to the shooting. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams were honored to be able to meet the men on shift that night. The love, dedication, and care they display for the victims and employees are inspiring.
 
We thank all the first responders who responded quickly to the call for help: the quick-thinking 911 operators, the Chesapeake police officers, firefighters, and EMS. These brave women and men face and respond to tragedies that none of us can imagine.

The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams and Chesapeake Community of Hope Lutheran Church worked together to put together LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses for the six victims, and placed them at the memorial site near Walmart. 

In November, Lutheran Church Charities responded to other mass shootings and crisis anniversaries across the country. CLICK HERE to read more about how we were present and serving devastated and grieving communities.

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 these shocked and devastated communities and the first responders who serve them.

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love." 1 John 4:7-8 7

Over the last week, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministries immediately responded to bring comfort to hurting communities following tragic shootings in Colorado and Virginia.

On the night of Saturday, November 19, a tragic shooting took place at Club Q in Colorado Springs, Colorado, killing five people and injuring 18 others. Five precious lives were taken too soon and violently. The parents, siblings, family, friends, and community who knew and loved Daniel Ashton, Derrick Rump, Kelly Loving, Ashley Paugh, and Raymond Green Vance are heartbroken and experiencing many emotions and fears.

On Monday, November 21, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Cubby and Devorah (Redeemer - Fort Collins, Colorado) and their handlers responded to this hurting community to share the gentleness, love, and comfort that Jesus gives each of us. When we are fearful and grieving, God shelters us with His peace, presence, love, and protection.
 
LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion and crosses were placed for each person killed, providing a place for people to remember, grieve and pray.
 
We pray for the family and friends affected by this horrible act. We pray for God’s quiet and peaceful presence to be with them and for God’s light and love to pierce through the darkness of this tragedy.

University of Virginia (UVA) Shooting - Charlottesville, Virginia

On the night of Saturday, November 13, a horrific shooting happened at the University of Virginia (UVA), taking the lives of three student-athletes Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D’Sean Perry. The students and staff are left devastated, shocked, and confused.
 
CRU at the University of Virginia requested LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Amos (Our Savior's Way - Ashburn, Virginia), Kezia (Emmanuel - Baltimore, Maryland), and Solomon (King of Glory - Williamsburg, Virginia), who met last Thursday night for togetherness and prayer.

On Friday, the K-9s and their handlers visited the Lawn for a moment of silence, remembering the three students killed. The teams also spent time with the students on campus, providing a safe and gentle place of comfort and love. Students and staff continue to carry the weight of grief and shock after such a devastating loss.
 
At the Beta Bridge, students left notes of remembrance and words of love, strength, and encouragement. As the students and community came upon the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs, they sought their comfort and presence in a gentle embrace and loving touch.
 
We continue to pray for students, staff, and the community of the University of Virginia and for the families of Chandler, Lavel, and D’Sean. We pray for God’s comfort, peace and strength during this time of grief and loss.

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 these shocked and devastated communities and the first responders who serve them.

Monday, November 21, marked the first anniversary of the Christmas parade attack in Waukesha, Wisconsin. It was a day for the community to gather and remember the six precious lives taken: Virginia “Ginny” Sorenson, Leanna Owen, Tamara Durand, Jane Kulich, Wilhem “Bill” Hospel, and Jackson Sparks.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were invited to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church and Clarendon Avenue Elementary School to be with the students and staff on this difficult day.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Dora (Lutheran High School Association of Greater Milwaukee - Milwaukee, Wisconsin), Rhoda (Prince of Peace - Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin), and Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois) were invited by Principal Wolff to support the students and staff at Beautiful Savior Lutheran School on the first anniversary of the Waukesha Christmas parade tragedy.

Many students and their families were at the parade one year ago on November 21, and that memory still causes much sadness, fear, and other emotions.

The students could visit with and feel the love and comfort of Tobias, Rhoda, and Dora. A day with much sadness was filled with gentleness, healing, and love.

Monday was a difficult day for Clarendon Avenue Elementary School, which lost Jackson Sparks, a third-grade student, one year ago in the Christmas parade tragedy. The administrative staff, teachers, and the now fourth-grade classmates of Jackson remembered the blessing he was to them. His smile, his caring and happy presence, and his love for baseball.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were invited back to Clarendon by Principal Andrea Kaplaan and School Counselor Brittany Sadorf to be with the students and staff as they continue to heal after the tragedy. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield - Brookfield, Wisconsin), Hagar (Faith Lutheran - Appleton, Wisconsin) Mary (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin), and Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois), along with their handlers, were present at the school early Monday morning to shower in love, comfort, and understanding the teachers and administrative staff who had to face this challenging day of reflection and loss.

Tears were shed as they sought the comforting touch and gentle presence of the K-9s. Many tears changed to warm smiles and more comforting embraces. Once the students arrived, the four LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were there for the children to see, love, and seek comfort, calm, and gentleness.

The school community has done a beautiful job supporting the children and teachers through this healing process. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their teams are humbled to be with them on this journey.

Our prayers are for the Waukesha community, remembering those killed and injured on this first anniversary. We pray for God's protection, peace, and comfort and for them to know and feel they are not alone.

Last week LCC staff and volunteers enjoyed visiting the 128th Air Refueling Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard in Milwaukee. It was a chance to show our appreciation to the firemen and women assigned to this location and those deployed abroad, including Jordan and Kuwait, with the presence of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Charity (Brookfield - Brookfield, Wisconsin) and LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Mary (St. Paul - Janesville, Wisconsin).

LCC staff members presented seventy-five Hearts of Mercy & Compassion for all personnel of the 128th Air Refueling Wing , thirty of which are being sent to the teams in Jordan and Kuwait this week). The message on each Heart of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) read, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, for the lord is with you." (Deuteronomy 31:6), and "Thank you for your service and sacrifice." Each of the thirty hearts being sent to their team in Jordan and Kuwait also included a personalized note of love and encouragement handwritten on HMC theme cards by numerous LCC volunteers, which meant a lot to SMSgt. Gumm, who oversees them.

We thank our host SMSgt. Brandon Gumm and his team for our time shared and for a tour of their fire station on the base. Lifting their entire team and their mission up in a group-wide prayer was certainly a highlight.

LCC staff and K-9 Affiliates were very impressed in learning how much this base supports their community in many positive ways and would like to partner with LCC in upcoming community events.

The Air National Guard as we know it today is a separate reserve component of the United States Air Force and has a unique dual-mission that consists of both Federal and State roles. This dual mission means being part of the nation's entire military force and responsible to their respective states during times of state or community emergencies.

“If God has called you to lead, let nothing stand in the way of the privilege you have to serve Him and to serve His people through applying the gift, the resources and the opportunity He has provided to you.” George Barna, Leaders on Leadership

Each LCC K-9 Ministry team has a leader who guides, motivates, encourages and manages the team.  This leader is known as Top Dog.  

Last week, ten individuals traveled to Lutheran Church Charities in Northbrook, Illinois for Top Dog Training to gain understanding of their role, the Comfort Dog Ministry and to equip them as leader of their LCC K-9 Comfort Dog team.

• LCC K-9 Comfort Dog affiliates: First Good Shepherd, Las Vegas, NV, Immanuel, Washington, MO, St. Paul, Fort Worth, TX, and Immanuel, Belvidere, IL are preparing and organizing a team for another LCC K-9 Comfort Dog in the future.
  
• LCC K-9 Comfort Dog affiliates Bethany, Parma, OH and Prince of Peace, Palatine, IL are beginning the journey as an LCC K-9 Comfort Dog team for the first time.
  
• LCC K-9 Comfort Dog affiliates LHSHGW, Milwaukee, WI,  Immanuel, St Charles, MO, and Christ, Scituate, MA continue with a new Top Dog to lead their teams to share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need.
  

Ten people from seven states brought together by God to lead, arrived as strangers and left as family. Lutheran Church Charities is blessed to work with these leaders who are dedicated to the fulfilling the mission of “mercy, compassion, presence and  proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need”.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is blessed to serve with these dedicated people who will lead their teams. They heard God’s call to serve and all said, “Here am I, send me.”

Carrie Broa- Bethany, Parma, OH
Danielle Hiller- Prince of Peace, Palatine, IL
Dave Hoppe- LHSHGW, Milwaukee, WI
Deb Steckler- Immanuel, St. Charles, MO
Jennifer Pollock- First Good Shepherd, Las Vegas, NV
Kelly Hardt- Immanuel, Washington ,MO
Laura Lewallen- St. Paul, Fort Worth, TX
LuAnn Kelly- St. Paul, Fort Worth, TX
Nancy Zappolo- Christ, Scituate, MA
Sue Piske- Immanuel, Belvidere, IL

On Saturday, October 29, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Miriam's Ministry team (Emmanuel - Kingfisher, Oklahoma) held their first Annual Fun Run/Walk in Kingfisher. One hundred twelve participants signed up, with around 70 showing up to do the actual Run/Walk.

Several businesses donated items to help make this event a great success. The team raised $8,800 for Kingfisher's "Meals on Wheels." Both the community and Emmanuel Lutheran Church supported the event. Many of the participants asked them do it again next year, so an annual event has been born.

The first picture below is K-9 Miriam's ministry team presenting the check to the director of Kingfisher "Meals on Wheels," and the second picture is the team on the morning of the Fun Run/Walk. 

Over the last few months, the number of Emergency Site Visit (ESV) requests for LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs has been steadily increasing. In just one week, we've had ten such requests, many difficult ones, involving young people who died tragically.
 
LCC K-9 Ministry handlers and partners have been responding quickly and with compassion to these sudden and unexpected visits involving loss of life.
 
They help those grieving by sharing the comfort and gentleness of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs, bringing a sense of calm in these moments of uncertainty.
 
Please pray for our teams who go out each day and for the family and friends of those who lost their loved ones.

On Monday, November 7, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Eunice (LCC Staff), Julia (King of Glory - Elgin, Illinois), Mary (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin), Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois), and Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois), traveled to Winnebago High School, Winnebago, Illinois, to support the students and staff after the death of one of their former students who graduated last spring.
 
The handlers shared the love and compassion of Jesus with those who are grieving. We pray for Joseph's family, friends, and teachers for God's peace, comfort, and light to lead them gently through this time of sadness and loss.

Last week LCC received the heartbreaking news of a horrible car accident involving two friends, both 16 years old, and students at Howards Grove High School in Wisconsin. One of the students died due to her injuries, and the other is in critical condition. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were requested to be at Howards Grove High School that day to be a comforting and calming presence for the students and staff as they absorbed this news and loss.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield - Brookfield, Wisconsin) and Rhoda (Prince of Peace - Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin) and their handlers arrived that morning, knowing their presence was needed. Students sought comfort in the soft fur of the K-9s or looking into their gentle and loving eyes. Some students would talk while others sat quietly, still processing this tragic news.
 
The K-9 handlers' gentle presence and kind words comforted those who know and love these young students, letting them know they are not alone. 

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield - Brookfield, Wisconsin) and Rhoda (Prince of Peace - Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin) were again requested by the school district to be at Northview Elementary as the students that were in the car accident had younger siblings in the elementary school. A younger brother lost his sister in that accident, whom he adored and looked up to. A younger sister is worried about her older sister, that is still in the hospital with an uncertain future. The K-9s spent time with each of these younger siblings, providing them with a safe and comforting place in the midst of their grief.

We keep in prayer the parents, siblings, friends, teachers, and all those who love the two students for God’s comfort, strength, and peace as they continue to grieve and understand this loss and uncertainty.
 
"Comfort, comfort my people, says your God." Isaiah 40:1

LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry never charges those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.