Over the weekend of October 12-14, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were kept very busy attending open house events at numerous local Fire Stations. National Fire Prevention Week is always commemorated the second weekend of October to remember the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Squad) and veteran Gene attended three open house events. At the Beecher event, Kare 9 Brutus was joined by Kare 9 Mahlah (Our Savior – Milford, Illinois) and veteran Al. In Lemont, Kare 9 Brutus and veteran Gene visited with attendees. In Elmhurst, Kare 9 Brutus was joined by LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Susie (St. Peter – Arlington Heights, Illinois) and Eve (St. John’s – Lombard, Illinois). At all the events, the LCC K-9s gave comfort and love to all they met.

On Thursday, October 11, LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Squad) and veteran Gene visited students and staff at Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois, to share the story and mission of the LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry. Whenever Kare 9 Brutus visits Roosevelt, the students and staff are thrilled to see him, and to get their share of comfort and love.

On Wednesday, October 10, LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Squad) and veteran Gene visited the Emergency Department staff at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois. The LCC K-9 Ministry was invited to bring comfort and compassion to the staff during a memorial service for their colleague Oscar, who died suddenly in March. Kare 9 Brutus loved those whose hearts were aching at their loss.

LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Mary (St. Paul’s – Janesville, Wisconsin), Butch and Britta (LCC Squad), and their handlers greeted the veterans and their families at the 2018 Northwest Illinois Stand Down and Welcome Home at Read Park in Freeport, Illinois, on Saturday, October 6. Featured activities included a 2 mile vet walk, information booth, lunch, games, door prizes, haircuts, petting zoo, therapy horses and the Kare 9 dogs.

On Tuesday, October 2, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog in training Myra and LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Squad) were guests of the St. Isaac Joques Seniors. One of the members had met LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Angel (St. John’s – La Grange, Illinois) at the grocery store and asked the group to invite the Comfort Dogs to their next meeting. Following a short presentation about the LCC K-9 Ministry, the group had opportunity to have their questions answered and get some love and comfort.

LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Squad) and LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Angel (St. John’s – La Grange, Illinois) and Jeremiah (LCC Staff) greeted members of the community at the Trinity Lutheran Church and School in the Burr Ridge Free Clinic on Saturday, September 29. Trinity sponsors the clinic each year to reach out to the community with free health and educational needs. The Comfort Dogs greeted the guests and bought mercy and compassion to them.

On Thursday, September 27, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog JoJo (Living Christ – Arlington Heights, Illinois) and LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Squad) recently attended the Salvation Army Volunteer Appreciation event at the Salvation Army Emergency Services Center in Elk Gove Village, Illinois. LCC has worked closely with the Salvation Army while serving at various disasters and tragedies. After a delicious meal, the guests heard presentations from first responders and emergency personnel from the Chicago area.

LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Squad) and Veteran Gene visited the students and staff at Roosevelt University, Chicago, twice in the last week. They were there for comforting and de-stressing the students as they were interviewed by the counseling staff and received free health screening. Over the past three years, Kare 9 Brutus and Veteran Gene have become welcomed guests for many events at Roosevelt.

The LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry hosted its monthly 22 Event program and dinner on Saturday, September 22. After a moving military ceremony and delicious meal, the guests and staff were treated to a presentation by George Haupt. George, a US Army Veteran, shared his experience as an Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. George also gave a wonderful lesson in the history of the cemetery and the Tomb and answered many questions from attendees.