Comfort Dogs are there to celebrate “a remarkable life”

At Marie Montessori at Marsh School, Bella was a beloved student, known for her creativity, kindness, and joy.

A published author as middle schooler, she had a remarkable spirit and was gifted at expressing herself in ways that inspired her classmates.

When she passed away in April, the loss was immense for the entire school community.

“Together, we remember, we grieve, and we honor a life that meant so much to so many,” the school shared on its Facebook page.

To help students process their sorrow and sadness, four LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs from Illinois and Wisconsin visited the campus in Rockford, IL, to spend time with the 130 seventh- and eighth-graders

Responding to the call to be there for the school’s oldest two grades were LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Abednego (Immanuel – Crystal Lake, IL), Bethesda (St. Matthew – Hawthorn Woods, IL), Mary (St. Paul’s – Janesville, WI) and Rejoice (St. Paul’s – Janesville, WI), who sat in on an English lesson with seventh-graders and cuddled with eighth-graders between classes.

As only a comfort dog can, the four golden retrievers nuzzled students’ arms and positioned their bodies next to their middle school friends for pets and hugs.

“These seventh-grade boys sat and pet Bethesda for 20 minutes while their teacher read them a story from a book they were studying in English. I was so wonderful to watch the love being shared between them,” shared one handler.   

“The staff was so kind and Bella was very loved by her teachers and classmates. They had lots of wonderful memories of her.”

Bella had recently shared her heart and care for others through a book she wrote called YOUniquely Made about embracing one’s own story.

Her classmates also recalled in 2024 when Bella’s artwork was selected to be the design for a special jersey of the Rockford IceHogs, a local minor league hockey team, which was celebrating a literacy initiative. The school shared the video short the team filmed about her: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1293018398709355

The LCC teams could sense God’s presence and love during their visit, praying for the students, teachers, and staff.

“Through the crisis of the loss of a fellow student, so many sad hearts finding a bit of healing and comfort with the dogs’ help. It was beautiful to witness the love for a fellow student who lived a remarkable life,” another handler said. “These students loved on each other, loved and hugged our dogs, and were loved on by their teachers and support staff.”


LCC joins in the ongoing prayers for peace and comfort for the entire community of Marie Montessori at Marsh School.

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