Held at Zion Lutheran School in Brighton, CO, the vigil drew hundreds of mourners, including classmates from various high schools, teachers, and coaches, all gathering to honor Zane's memory.

Zane was only 16 years old, but he left a lasting impact on everyone he met. He valued his faith, family, friends, neighbors, education, sports, and the great outdoors. Many of his classmates and friends donned camouflage attire as a gesture to honor him, symbolizing their respect and admiration for the young man who touched their lives in so many meaningful ways.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Devorah and Zacchaeus, alongside their dedicated team, provided a calming presence that truly made a difference. Attendees expressed their gratitude, sharing sentiments like, “Dogs make everything better” and “I feel better after petting the dogs.”

The students and staff were devastated by the death of a sixth-grade student who lost her life tragically to suicide. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Mary and Rejoice from St. Paul's, Janesville, WI, and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Michael (LCC staff) were requested to be a loving and compassionate presence at Eisenhower Middle School, Rockford, IL, for the students and staff as they processed this heartbreaking loss.
 
One handler shared, "Walking into the school we could feel the overwhelming sadness of the staff as they prepared for their day of 'unknowns'. The students showed their grief, sadness, and anger about the loss of one of their classmates, some through tears and hugs and many by petting Michael Comfort Dog silently. Some of the discussions we had with the students focused on kindness, compassion, and forgiveness with each other and the need to seek out help from trusted adults when feeling overwhelmed. We felt that we were instruments of God’s love and peace through our actions and prayers."
 
Another handler shared, "As everyone had a chance to be with our 3 Comfort Dogs over the length of the school day, we had many of them returning for another visit. Upon their return visit we noticed a calmer mood which allowed for a more relaxed and reflective visit. Many people from the school were truly appreciative of the Comfort Dog visit. God gave us the words to say and the ability to listen at the right moment!"

The loss of a student at Eisenhower Middle School serves as a painful reminder of the importance of open conversations about mental health. By adopting a compassionate, educated, and supportive environment, the community can honor the memory of the student while striving to prevent future tragedies.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

On Tuesday, February 18th, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Esther & Jordan (Holy Cross - Collinsville, IL), and Jael (Trinity - Hobart, IN), were invited to Auburn Junior High School in Divernon, IL, to support the school as they continue to grieve the loss of Hunter, a seventh-grade student. Hunter passed away in a house fire along with his father and younger brother.

Esther and Jordan started the day in the gym during PE class.  They continued visiting classrooms giving staff and students support in the setting of the counselor/social work room. All three dogs met with seventh graders as the students finished lunch. 
 
Jael Comfort Dog and her handlers spent the time at Auburn Junior High School with the students, teacher and staff in the Life Skills class.  Their teacher Mrs. Amanda Castleman, along with classroom paraprofessionals, welcomed Jael into the classroom as she spent time comforting each student and adult.  Mrs. Castleman’s son Reed is also in this class and was close friends with Hunter. While there were tears when sharing memories of Hunter as a student and friend, Jael’s calming presence throughout the room and the joy she provided as she was pet and hugged certainly shared the compassion and presence of Jesus with those who were hurting.
 
We were present to bring comfort and smiles to a hurting school community. It is our prayer that the students and staff feel the love and comfort of Jesus through us. Our love and prayers go with you.  
 
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

Serving last week were the following LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams: Genesis with Tom and Sue Baldwin of Good Shepherd, Turlock, CA; Isaac with Julie Blyckert of Redeemer, Spokane Valley, WA, and Miriam Deuel of Christ the King, Coeur d’Alene, ID; Lois with Diana Bartholomew and Cheri Baker of First Good Shepherd, Las Vegas, NV; Micah with Marilyn Hunter and Jonna Dolinta of Light of the Valley, Elk Grove, CA; Rahab with Bobby and Laura Moore of St. Andrews, Stockton, CA; Salome with Drew Santibanez of Faith Community, Las Vegas, NV.

Lutheran Church Charities has been deeply engaged in bringing hope and compassion to those impacted by the devastating wildfires around Los Angeles. Over the weekend and into the first half of the week, LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer led two Community Care Events hosted at First Lutheran Church in Venice and Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Santa Monica. These gatherings provided a safe space for individuals to share their stories, receive prayer, and experience the hope found in Christ.

All six LCC Comfort Dog teams stopped by Los Angeles Fire Station #110 in Marina Del Rey, CA, just south of Santa Monica, to uplift firefighters logging long hours day after day. They delivered a Heart of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) and greeted members of the station house on the driveway with pets and wagging tails.
 
The teams also visited the Los Angeles Emergency Operations Center, which coordinates LA’s emergency planning, training, response, and recovery efforts.
 
The teams presented another HMC to thank workers who face stress-filled days at the city’s crisis nerve center. The dogs’ calming presence brought smiles and a chance to catch their breath.

Across town, the Comfort Dogs and their handlers made an unscheduled appearance at the third annual Pasadena Neighbor Day for residents to get to know one another better. The celebratory event went on as a means of strengthening acquaintances and getting a breather from the stress.
 
Yesterday the Comfort Dog teams visited the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office to encourage staff members working to limit insurance fraud, as well as Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, CA, to bring joy to service members and their families.
 
The deployment continues through the remainder of this week with visits to Flintridge Prep School, which is resuming classes today, and a pair of outings to the Los Angeles County Department of the Medical Examiner/Coroner.

Six Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Teams from three states, plus LCC Care Teams from Illinois, will deploy Friday to Southern California to offer compassionate care and support for Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations impacted by the devastating fires ravaging Los Angeles County.
 
LCC teams will lead two Community Care events on Saturday at First Lutheran Church in Venice, CA, and Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Santa Monica, CA. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams from California, Nevada, and Washington will be on hand to listen to congregation members and area residents, pray with them, and offer pets and cuddles with the golden retrievers.
 
These events are designed to bring hurting community members together to process the physical, emotional, and spiritual journey of a disaster, to be vulnerable in the presence of others, and, ultimately, to experience a taste of the hope found only in Jesus.

The need is great. About 20 families from Pacifica Christian High School, which conducts classes from Pilgrim’s campus, have lost their homes. Pilgrim also has welcomed members of Pacific Palisades Lutheran Church and is conducting joint worship services together. 
 
“The devastation from these tragic and truly unprecedented fires is widespread and stunning, and it will require a multifaceted response by our entire LCC team,” said LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer. “We are blessed to be partnering with our churches on the West Coast. Our first step will be to care for the hurting with a ministry of presence, administering and training with Spiritual First Aid™ and providing that golden comfort of our K-9 teams."

On Sunday after worship, LCC Care teams will lead Spiritual First Aid™ Rapid Training workshops at First Lutheran Venice, CA, and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange, CA, plus two more sessions at the Pacific Southwest District office in Irvine on Monday and Tuesday.
 
After training, LCC Disaster Response and Care teams will assist congregation members in engaging their communities with basic needs and the love of Christ.

“Please pray today for the families and individuals who have been impacted — so many have evacuated and are anxious about their loved ones and homes," Rev. Singer said. "Pray also for open doors as LCC meets together with Synod, District, and Church leaders to encourage, collaborate, and mobilize faith into action. Your earnest prayers and kindhearted support are greatly appreciated."

A parent losing a child is not the natural order of things, and inconceivable to most.  When LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Hannah (LCC Staff) and her handler went to Parkland Preparatory Academy in Bartlett, IL, this week for an Emergency Site Visit request, it was definitely God’s plan for them to be there.  The staff was struggling to accept and care for one of their own staff members who had lost a son fairly recently, and last week her daughter was tragically killed. 

Hannah Comfort Dog and her handler were requested to be a support and comfort for the staff after the unexpected death of a previous staff member who is the daughter of a current staff member at the school. And while the grief was palpable, there were also some smiles as Hannah lay her head on their laps, and they prayed for their friend and co-worker.

While they were there, another grieving teacher – after losing a brother – was concerned for his mother and how she would handle the loss.  Hannah Comfort Dog and her handler were there to comfort him, too, and be an encouragement for him as he cared for his mother.  As it has been shown so often, God has a plan – and uses his people, and his soft, loving creatures, to be there for each other.