Comfort Dog Sharon Installed at St. Luke’s in Washington

Pastor Dan Weber was addressing the congregation at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church & School (Federal Way, WA) when he stopped mid-sentence.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Sharon was sitting up tall, blue bandana around her neck, front and center at her commissioning ceremony, full of attention and eager to serve.

Pastor Weber just had to sneak in a pet.  

“Who’s so sweet?” he said, his left hand caressing her head and ears. “Oh yes.”

Then he turned to the congregation and shared, “I could just ignore you for the next 20 minutes and sit down here with my new best friend, who loves me and doesn’t judge me and will listen to me.”

Sharon and her team of 10 handlers and 10 ministry partners were officially installed and commissioned at St. Luke’s on Sunday, giving the Pacific Northwest region a second LCC K-9 Comfort Dog.

The St. Luke’s team has attended active training with LCC since October, building on their handling skills, confidence, and connection with Sharon Comfort Dog. Sunday’s installation was the final step in completing the placement process.

“I get goose bumps and a little teary thinking about all that happened,” said Stephanie Pariseau, top dog who will lead St. Luke’s K-9 Comfort Dog ministry.

On hand to celebrate the moment were LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs stationed on the West Coast, including Genesis (Good Shepherd - Turlock, CA), Isaac (Redeemer - Spokane Valley, WA), and Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, CA). Also present were handlers from First Good Shepherd - Las Vegas, NV, home to Comfort Dogs Lois and Zechariah.

Sharon Comfort Dog will serve as a bridge to ministry for St. Luke’s as her handlers and ministry partners — all trained in Spiritual First Aid™ — will share the care and comfort of Jesus Christ with children, first responders, community members, and anyone who is hurting and in need.

Sharon Comfort Dog’s Bible verse is Isaiah 35:2 NLT:
“Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers
    and singing and joy!
The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon,
    as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon.
There the Lord will display his glory,
    the splendor of our God.”
 
St Luke’s Lutheran Church LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry team includes:

Handlers
Stephanie Pariseau (Top Dog), Alice Phillips, Nancy Baker, Linda Craft, Michelle Scheuller, Garth BeMiller, Brita BeMiller, Jeffrey Phillips, Darla Craig, Lana Buethe
 
Ministry Partners
Susan Fish, Diana Schneck, Debbie Mininger, Linda Hilbert, Becky O’Hara, Rodney Riveness, Yvonne Riveness, Pastor Dan Weber, Paula Butler, Kevin Butler
 
Please keep Comfort Dog Sharon and the team at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church + School in your prayers for God’s guidance as they go out to share and minister in their community.