Comfort Dogs Support Jefferson High Students After Tragedy

The halls of Jefferson High School in Rockford, IL,  were quieter than usual last week as students and staff mourned the loss of 14-year-old freshman Izamary, who was killed in a tragic car accident on Friday, January 17. In response to the devastating news, school social worker Teisha Hoppe requested support from the Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry to help the school community process its grief.

On Tuesday, January 21, multiple LCC Comfort Dog teams arrived at Jefferson High School, offering a calm and compassionate presence during a time of deep sorrow. The teams included Abednego Comfort Dog (Immanuel - Crystal Lake, IL), Bethesda Comfort Dog (St. Matthew - Hawthorn Woods, IL), Gethsemane Comfort Dog (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, IL), Mary & Rejoice Comfort Dogs (St. Paul's - Janesville, WI), and Samson Comfort Dog (Zion - Marengo, IL).

“We mostly went classroom to classroom today, visiting with the freshman classes—many of the classes that Izamary used to attend,” one handler shared. “We saw so many smiles once they saw the dogs walking around the hallways. I even got pulled into classrooms as teachers saw us walking by.”

While some students were less visibly affected, others struggled openly with their emotions. Tears were seen among both students and staff, especially in the library, where smaller groups gathered with the dogs.
“In the library, students were able to relax with the dogs and really feel their emotions,” a handler explained. “Most of them were talking about Izamary. One group was petting Rejoice and talking about the details of the crash. They were upset that they didn’t know if she was suffering in her last few moments. They said she didn’t deserve that. Even in all the grief, they were comforting each other.”

Teachers, too, leaned on the dogs for support. One educator who was deeply affected by Izamary’s passing was quietly brought into a classroom to sit with Rejoice.

“She sat down on the floor, and Rejoice just laid down next to her and plopped her head into her lap,” the handler recalled. “You could see the tension in her shoulders melt away. We didn’t speak much—we just sat quietly together until the bell rang.”

Another handler described sitting with a biology teacher who pointed out the empty desk where Izamary once sat. “He remarked what a good student she was and how grateful he was to feel the comfort of our LCC dogs,” the handler said. The teacher even shared the biblical story of Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego with his class, drawing meaning from the dog’s namesake.

Students shared memories of Izamary throughout the day. One group recalled attending a party with her, describing her as bubbly and outgoing. Others said they wished they had taken the opportunity to know her better. A teacher noted that Izamary was also a volleyball player, adding another layer to the loss felt within the school.

The dogs’ impact was especially visible in one-on-one moments. A Bethesda handler described comforting a visibly distraught student who was crying quietly beneath her desk.

“I asked if she wanted to shift her chair and if Bethesda could put her legs on her lap,” the handler said. “She didn’t hesitate. Bethesda stayed there for about five minutes. The girl’s breathing slowed, and she stopped crying. It was such a blessing to witness.”

Samson’s handler shared a similar experience with a group of girls who surrounded the dog. One student was particularly upset, and her friends gathered closely around her. “They loved Samson,” the handler said, noting how the dog helped foster connection and support among the group.

Gethsemane’s team encountered a student who was overwhelmed with emotion throughout the day. “She just kept crying as she adored Gethsemane,” the handler explained. “Each time we saw her, she became more composed.” Later, the same student asked to escort the team to another student who had been close to Izamary and had also recently lost her eight-year-old brother. “She wanted to be sure that girl received comfort too. It was incredibly sweet.”

The Comfort Dog teams also visited Guilford High School, where Izamary’s cousin, 18-year-old Leslie, attends. Abednego, Bethesda, and Mary provided support there, as Leslie was having a particularly difficult time coping with the loss.

Throughout the day, Jefferson High School’s support staff guided the teams, ensured safe movement during passing times, and regularly checked on both handlers and dogs.

“This school district has gone through incredible loss,” one handler said, “but they have such heart for their people.”

Due to the ongoing need for support, Rejoice Comfort Dog was invited back to Jefferson High School the following day to spend time with students during seventh and eighth periods who needed additional comfort.

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