Our brother in Christ and comrade in arms, Marvin Hanks was laid to rest on Saturday, April 22, at St. Paul Lutheran church in Mount Prospect, Illinois. Marvin was a retired Navy Veteran and part of the LCC Kare 9® Military Ministry Squad. Along with seven other veteran handlers, Marvin helped launch the LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry in 2014 dedicated to serving veterans, their families and active-duty men and women. The Ministry was represented by Squad members Army veteran handler Dale Sasse with LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Britta, Air Force veteran handler Keith Stanton with LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Butch, Navy veteran handler Gene Weisbecker with LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Flex (filling in for Army veteran handler Fred Vanstrom), and Linda Showens with LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Spike (filling in for Army veteran handler Raleigh Showens). Squad member Bob Royce also attended. Kare 9 Nigel and Marvin’s dog Brandy were also present. We pray for Marvin’s wife, Yoshiko and family as they grieve the passing of this good Christian man. U.S. Navy (Ret) Veteran and original LCC Kare 9® Military Ministry Dog (Brandy) veteran handler Marvin Hanks went home to his Lord on Saturday, April 8, 2023. Marvin and the other LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry veteran handlers launched the LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry in August 2014. The other Kare 9s and their handlers who launched the Ministry are Blitz (Bob Royce, U.S. Army Veteran), Brutus (Gene Weisbecker, U.S. Navy Veteran), Spike (Raleigh Showens, U.S. Army Veteran), Flex (Fred Vanstrom, U.S. Army Veteran), Britta (Dale Sasse U.S. Army Veteran), Butch (Keith Stanton U.S. Air Force Veteran), Chief (Richard Skinner U.S. Navy Veteran). These Kare 9s and their handlers are known as "The Squad." We thank Marvin and his wife, Yoshiko, for their loyal service to their Lord and the LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry.
On a recent Wednesday, a 2nd-grade student in Mrs. Lundy's class at Troy Heritage Trail Elementary School in Joliet, Illinois, sits on a carpet softly reading "Clifford, the Big Red Dog" to Nigel's ear and gently petting his head. The story doesn't matter as much as Nigel's comforting presence and the ability to "listen" without judgment and interruptions. LCC Kare 9® Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Squad) with his veteran handler Gene Weisbecker (U.S. Navy) and Nigel (LCC Staff) with his veteran handler Jim Morrison (U.S. Army) have been visiting the school monthly for over two years to help 1st and 2nd-grade students with their reading skills. Teacher Melissa Lundy started the program four years ago when she taught first grade. She brought it to second-graders when she transferred grade levels this year. During COVID, the students read to the dogs virtually. "I saw a huge increase in anxiety over reading in the students," says Melissa. "The biggest benefit of having the Comfort Dogs is that reluctant readers and those who struggle reading feel safe and comfortable when they are with the dogs. All their anxiety and nervousness go away. They read at their own pace, and if they make a mistake, the dogs don't know. They don't judge." Brutus and Nigel rotate between classrooms throughout the day, and the students take turns reading and snuggling up to them. In Mrs. Russell's room, the students read hand-written notes to Brutus about their favorite parts of him visiting their classroom. Emily wrote: "I enjoy petting Brutus because he's so fluffy and he loves hugs. When I hug him, it feels like fluffy heaven. When I read to him, it makes me feel like I really accomplished something. Brutus makes me happy!!!" Some students shared that it almost looks like the dogs might be smiling when they are reading to them. The dogs are a huge motivator. Melissa sees a significant improvement in the students reading developmental skills. And on the days they visit, all the students come to school. "We have perfect attendance," says Melissa. The teachers send home pictures of the kids with the dogs, and often they are the topic of the conversation at the dinner table. The kids are eager to share their day with the comfort dogs and what they learned about them from the handlers. Helping the students with their reading skills is the primary goal of having the comfort dogs at school, but they also help with the kids' socio-emotional learning. Those kids who don't have pets learn how to approach and interact with them and that you can get affection from an animal.
Comfort Dogs in school - something that seems so small but makes such a big difference.
On Tuesday, April 11, LCC Kare 9® Military Ministry Dog Amos (Our Savior's Way - Ashburn, Virginia) and his veteran handler were honored to join LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Kezia (Emmanual - Baltimore, Maryland) in Washington, D.C., to meet LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Isaac (Redeemer - Spokane, Washington) and the 95 veterans from the Inland Northwest Honor Flight. It is truly a privilege to honor and welcome the veterans to the memorials, recognize their service, and be present to offer the comfort of Jesus's love as the veterans experience the many emotions that this trip brings to our nation's Heroes. We accompanied veterans from WWII and the Korean and Vietnam Wars as we walked alongside them in support. We prayed for those who have died in their service to our country and for the treasured memories of those who love and mourn them. At one point, after finding his friend's name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall, a veteran went over to Amos and hugged him deeply while sobbing. He told us that he had just lost his dog last week. They carry their losses, still as painful as ever. We each experienced conversations with the veterans telling us their stories and memories, and it was a great honor to listen to and share their experiences. Amos' veteran handler enjoyed a special camaraderie when meeting two fellow Coast Guard veterans. God is so good to have placed us there to share His comfort and love. On Saturday, April 8, LCC Kare 9® Military Ministry was part of the Chicago Wolves Military Resource Fair at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Brutus (LCC Squad), Nigel (LCC Staff), and Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois), along with their veteran handlers, brought love and compassion to the children and adults attending the Resource Fair, which was a part of the Chicago Wolves Military Appreciation Day. |
Categories
All
Archives
April 2024
|