LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Teams Deployed to Las Vegas, Nevada, to Serve the Community Affected by the UNLV Campus Shooting

In the wake of a profound tragedy that has cast a shadow over the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), there emerges a heartwarming presence, one with gentle paws and unspoken empathy—the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs.
 
In a time when words fail to capture the depth of emotions, the comfort dog teams arrive with a language of their own - one of unconditional love and understanding. Each wag of their tails carries a message of hope, and each nuzzle is a gesture of compassion.

Thanks to You, We Are Able to BE THERE for Students and Staff

The comfort dogs serve as a bridge, their presence encouraging conversations, soothing anxieties, and creating a haven of comfort in a time of profound sorrow. They remind us that, amidst the chaos, there's a profound beauty in the simplicity of their affection.
 
We are so grateful to our LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams who dropped everything to BE THERE for the UNLV students and staff.
 
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Lois (First Good Shepherd - Las Vegas, Nevada), Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, California), Phinehas (Trinity - Fremont, Nebraska), Reuben (First Lutheran - Yuba City, California), and Salome (Faith Lutheran - Las Vegas, Nevada) spent time with students who remained on the University Nevada Las Vegas campus during the winter break. 
 
Wherever the Comfort Dog teams went, the handlers could see relief as students spent time with the dogs, feeling safe and diverting them from oppressing thoughts of the shooting that happened on their campus last week.

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A resident assistant at one of the dorms even sent a photo to all her residents to get them downstairs to where the dogs were. It did not take long for the students to come to the Comfort Dogs once that photo was shared. The students relaxed, accepting the comfort, gentleness, and safety the Comfort Dogs offered them as they talked to the handlers about school, their lives, and dreams for the future.
 
The Comfort Dogs also visited the UNLV School of Dental Medicine students who had finals this week. One of the students shared, “This is the best thing we needed today. We needed to spend time with a dog today.” The handlers could see their bodies relax, and their eyes and smiles light up during these special visits with the Comfort Dogs and handlers. The faculty from the school of dentistry was happy to see the students on the floor relaxed and spending time with Lois, Micah, Phinehas, Reuben, and Salome.

On Tuesday, the Comfort Dogs visited the Sunrise Hospital staff that received and cared for the victims of the shooting. The teams presented to the emergency medical staff a Heart of Mercy & Compassion filled with messages of comfort and prayers.

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The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their teams will spend time this week with the Las Vegas 911 operators and coroner’s office that responded to the shooting. These dedicated women and men respond and see so much tragedy every day. We hope the Comfort Dogs and handlers can share the comfort, hope, and love of Jesus, providing them a safe and relaxed place from their worries and stress.

Hearts of Mercy & Compassion for the Lives Lost

Three Hearts of Mercy & Compassion and crosses were placed at the memorial site to honor the precious lives lost; Jerry Cha-Jan Chang (64), Patricia Navarro-Velez (39), and Naoko Takemaru (69). The hearts provide an opportunity for people to write messages of support, hope, and healing. Often, a simple act of writing a message can provide comfort and closure to people.

Thank you for BEING THERE by working through Lutheran Church Charities

We are incredibly thankful for your support, which makes it possible for us to BE THERE where we are needed most.
 
Your donations have made a tangible difference in the lives of the people we are blessed to help during our deployment to Las Vegas.
 
The love, healing, and comfort we've been able to provide are a direct result of your generosity.

DONATE — LCC K-9 TRAVEL FUND

DONATE — HEARTS OF MERCY & COMPASSION