In Wisconsin, K-9 teams’ presence brings calm to trauma center

​When tragedy strikes, the calming presence of Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dogs can lift the heaviness of sorrow and grief. 

Last week, after a tragic shooting in Janesville, Wisconsin, took the lives of four people, including relatives of medical personnel, four LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams and a Human Care parish nurse visited the Oncology Unit and Emergency Department at Mercyhealth Hospital and Trauma Center to bring encouragement and hope in the midst of a stress-filled week.

Two days had passed since the hospital staff responded to the trauma, and the furry friendliness and wagging tails of LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Rejoice, Charity, Mary, and Samson were a welcome site for patients and staff.

Spiritual First Aid™ certified Parish Nurse Debbie Hammen from Beautiful Savior Lutheran Mequon, WI, worked alongside the K9 Comfort Dog Teams, talking with the hospital staff about coping with trauma and encouraging them to practice self-care and take time to pause when needed. The teams also brought along plush stuffy dogs to hand out to the medical teams. 

“They were extremely affected by the tragedy,” Hammen said. “It was heartwarming to be able to hear their stories and share their feelings. Those stuffed comfort dogs did a lot to bring smiles. Some were brought to tears as they petted the K-9 Comfort Dogs.”

As emotions were stirred, the mood of the building seemed to change.  

“It was hard not to notice the smiles the dogs brought to everyone’s face. But even the weight in the room was lifted,” said Melissa Ruff of Team Rejoice.

The Mercyhealth staff weren’t the only ones affected.

“It was lovely to be with the patients coming in for treatment. There were quite a few in need of support, and the dogs made their treatment a lot easier!” said Faith Larson, top dog for Rejoice Comfort Dog. “Once we entered the ER, it was a bit more chaotic, with people rushing around and louder noise, but the staff in that area were so thrilled to see the dogs! They instantly smiled and many expressed to me that they really needed a comfort dog visit today.”

The LCC group sensed that the care and encouragement brought that day would have a long-lasting impact.

“One of the nurses in the ER commented that she just realized that she hadn’t stop smiling since the dogs arrived,” said Dianne Moore with Mary Comfort Dog. “We visited patients receiving chemo, one having treatments for 11 years and another who was receiving her first treatment. It was such a pleasure to bring smiles and comfort to all we visited.”

LCC expresses thanks for the following K-9 Comfort Dog and Human Care teams who could serve in Janesville last week:

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry Team
Mary Comfort Dog of St. Paul Janesville, WI, with Tom and Dianne Moore
Rejoice Comfort Dog of St. Paul Janesville, WI, with Faith Larson and Melissa Ruff
Charity Comfort Dog of Brookfield Lutheran Brookfield, WI, with Gary Kilvinger and Lisa Kollmeyer
Samson Comfort Dog of Zion Marengo, IL, with Denise Anderson

Human Care
Parish Nurse Deb Hannen of Beautiful Savior Mequon, WI

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