Comfort Dogs Return to Lannon Elementary One Year After Finn Katona’s Tragic Passing

One year after the tragic accident that claimed the life of five-year-old Finn Katona, the halls of Lannon Elementary School in Lannon, WI, carried both the weight of remembrance and the quiet strength of a community that continues to heal together.

On the first anniversary of Finn’s death, Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry returned to Lannon Elementary with a simple but powerful purpose: to be present.

There was no agenda to fix what cannot be fixed, no attempt to rush grief or force words where none are needed. Instead, four Comfort Dog teams, Charity (Brookfield - Brookfield, WI), Hagar (Faith - Appleton, WI), Mary (St. Paul's Janesville, WI), and Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, IL), came to simply exist in the space alongside those who were still carrying loss. Their calm presence created room for reflection, connection, and compassion as staff and approximately 40 students affected by the tragedy marked the difficult milestone together.

Strengthening a Resilient Community
The Comfort Dog teams were thoughtfully divided between two familiar spaces: the counselors’ office and the large staff lounge. These were places where staff could step away, take a breath, and be supported, and where students could interact gently with the dogs in a setting that felt safe and familiar. Principal Brian Balfany, whose deep care for both staff and students is evident throughout the school, served as the ministry’s point of contact and welcomed the teams back with gratitude.

One handler reflected on how clearly God was already at work within the Lannon community:
“Our ministry of presence has opened my eyes to how our God of Comfort ‘shows up’ constantly and continuously to heal His hurting and grieving people. He clearly is at work through the staff, students, and families of the Lannon school community. He is using their love and care for each other, creating a resilient, close community. Our presence helps strengthen their community, reminding them that God and His church sees and values them.”

Healing Happens in the Small Moments
Throughout the visit, healing revealed itself in quiet, meaningful interactions. In the guidance office, students sat with Charity and Hagar, reading books aloud as the dogs listened attentively. The guidance counselor, who clearly loves the Comfort Dogs, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the visit and the peace it brought to her students.

Another handler shared:
“This school is so close knit. It is very clear that the principal really cares about his staff and the students.”

For some students, the return of the Comfort Dogs felt like reconnecting with old friends. Tobias was remembered fondly from the previous year. One child excitedly shared how much he had missed Tobias, while another bonded instantly over a shared love of football—good-natured jokes about wearing a Bears jersey in Wisconsin led to laughter, connection, and wide-eyed amazement when the child learned the team had traveled all the way from Illinois, near Six Flags, just to be there.

---

Principal Balfany summed it up simply and powerfully:
“There was power in your presence last year, and it brought some positivity to the tragedy.”

God at Work Through Presence
Handlers are often reminded that Comfort Dog Ministry touches not only those they serve, but also those who serve alongside the dogs.

“I am always amazed at how God uses the Comfort Dog Ministry,” one handler shared. “He always puts us with the people He sees that need us. He also ministers to the handlers and ministry partners, helping us grow in our faith and flexibility. Watching and absorbing the love, gentleness, and compassion staff and students have for the Comfort Dogs is so heartwarming, and the conversations are very rich.”

On a day marked by grief and remembrance, Charity, Hagar, Mary, and Tobias offered something sacred—steady presence, unconditional love, and a reminder that no one walks through sorrow alone.
​
As Lannon Elementary continues to honor Finn’s memory, the strength of its community shines through. Through the simple act of showing up, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry once again bore witness to God’s comfort at work—quietly, gently, and faithfully—right where it was needed most.