Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Ministry is blessed to welcome two new adorable golden retriever puppies to be trained as LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs. The puppies are named Damascus and Saul.

These puppies will begin their training journey to be an LCC K-9 Comfort Dog. Through time, patience, repetition, consistency, love, and guidance from their apprentice trainers, one day, Damascus and Saul will serve as a bridge with two other congregations to reach those who are suffering or in need.
 
Damascus and Saul 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 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.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry was blessed to have ten affiliates represented at the Replacement Handler training on June 27-28. LCC is happy to welcome these wonderful individuals who have been called to serve their home communities with the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need.

The handlers spent a lot of time learning new handling skills and building their knowledge about the ministry. Each handler worked with their affiliate’s dog or an LCC K-9 Comfort Dog in training.

LCC welcomes the following new handlers to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry:

Mike Vega - Trinity, Hobart, Indiana, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Jael
Debbie Vega - Trinity, Hobart, Indiana, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Isaiah

Diane Krejci - Prince of Peace, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Rhoda
Laura Wilkins - Lutheran High School Association of Greater Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Dora

Ann Waltz - Trinity, Savannah, Georgia, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Lizzie
Susie McGehee - Faith Lutheran, Marietta, Georgia, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Hope
Elizabeth Cummings - Faith Lutheran, Marietta, Georgia, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Hope
Diane Hanse - Faith Lutheran, Marietta, Georgia, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Hope

Karen Gastler - Gloria Dei, Houston, Texas, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Joy
Jane Baedke - Messiah Lutheran, Plano, Texas, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Triton
Michelle Haugen - Messiah Lutheran, Plano, Texas, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Triton

Rev. Andrew Bayless - Redeemer, Spokane Valley, Washington, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Isaac

Rev. Doug Minton - Our Savior, Milford, Illinois, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Mahlah
Gwen Goman - Immanuel, East Dundee, Illinois, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Levi
Gary Hanebrink - Immanuel, Charleston, Illinois, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Rachel
Karen Hanebrink - Immanuel, Charleston, Illinois, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Rachel

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Keren (Immanuel - Ellsworth, Kansas) and her ministry team were invited by Donna Williams, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Kansas District Response Coordinator, to visit with survivors and first responders of the EF-3 tornado in Andover, Kansas. Andover sustained extensive damage and loss in last week’s tornado.

Keren Comfort Dog and her team were able to visit the community center where people could get services and supplies. We met a beautiful little girl who loved and spent time with Keren while her parents were discussing resources. Once there, the team was asked by a police officer and the fire chief to visit several other places.

Keren Comfort Dog and her team visited the Command Center at the Fire Department. The first person they met was the City Administrator, who has a lot on her shoulders but keeps everything in order. Keren and her handlers also visited with the assistant city manager and fire chief at City Hall. Keren’s team made a final visit to the Methodist church, the staging area for volunteers.

Keren’s Bible verse never seemed more appropriate than today. "The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our Lord endures forever." Isaiah 40:8 We can’t count the number of times we shared that verse while visiting with these wonderful people.

At weekend worship services on April 30 and May 1, Lutheran Church Charities was the Featured Mission Partner at Prince of Peace (POP) Lutheran Church in Palatine, Illinois.

The K-9s were able to visit with the Sunday School classes and the Adult Bible Study to bring love and comfort to the participants.

Deb Baran, LCC Director of Communications thanked the congregation for their continued support of all LCC Ministries, and Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, thanked the congregation for their generous support of LCC Disaster Response. Jim Beckley, Prince of Peace L.E.R.T. Team Leader, spoke to the congregation about how the Palatine L.E.R.T. team serves three ways - the congregation, local communities, and deployments to other states as requested.
 
The Palatine L.E.R.T. team is assembling Blessing Buckets, which are specific items that can be given to a disaster-affected family by a L.E.R.T. team member as they are being ministered to and served in the name of the Lord.
 
LCC is grateful to Prince of Peace and its members for their partnership, support, and prayers.

At the Elk Grove City Council Meeting on April 27, 2022, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, California) received the Elk Grove 2022 Mayor’s Volunteer Award in the category of Service Organizations & Groups.

These awards are designed to recognize volunteers who have made a significant impact on the quality of life in Elk Grove, California.

Nominees must exemplify one or more of the following:

• Demonstrates exceptional commitment to volunteerism by helping with a special project or ongoing activities
• Demonstrates exemplary leadership, creativity, cooperation, and hard work in service to others
• Serves as a role model by inspiring others
  
  

The City Council Chambers was standing room only to support those receiving these awards (Micah and five other individuals). Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen commented that the decisions were difficult as there were many volunteers who were worthy of their nomination. These awards were to “recognize Elk Grove residents who volunteer their time and talents to make Elk Grove a better place to call home.”

When the Mayor introduced Micah and the team, she mentioned she had actually met Micah a few times. Lee Hunter accepted the award on behalf of the team with humble thanks for the recognition. We felt blessed that LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Micah and her ministry team are showing Jesus’ love in a special way and making a difference in our community.