K-9 COMFORT DOG TEAMS VISIT LCMS SCHOOLS IN FLORIDA

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Moriah (St. Luke’s - Oviedo, Florida) and Jemimah (St. Paul - Boca Raton, Florida) visited two Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod schools in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Tuesday to bring comfort to students, teachers, and staff as they recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Students and teachers from Our Savior Lutheran School St. Petersburg welcomed LCC Comfort Dogs Moriah and Jemimah for a time of peaceful interaction. True to their calm nature, Moriah and Jemimah reclined on the floor and invited gentle pets and snuggles, followed by some photos with the children. 

Our Savior reopened about a week ago after being closed for more than a week following Hurricane Milton’s landfall on October 9. The school is home to about 260 students in preschool through 8th grade.

LCC Comfort Dog Teams Moriah and Jemimah also visited Grace Lutheran School St. Petersburg on Tuesday, which marked its first day with students in more than 2 weeks. Grace, which has students in preschool through 8th grade, is operating with only seven of its 22 classrooms available for instruction. 

Moriah and Jemimah stayed for a couple of afternoon class periods for second-graders and fourth-graders, followed by a visit to the after-school program. At both schools (and others in affected areas), LCC has provided K-9 coloring books. ​

Earlier this month, Lutheran Church Charities provided coffee and breakfast food for the faculty and staff of Our Savior Lutheran School at their morning staff meeting. School officials say that 31 students and three staff members have been severely impacted by the storms, losing homes and cars. Principal Wendy Morris also welcomed LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer to lead the staff’s devotion time. 

“I told them that they were in our hearts and prayers,” Singer said. “Having personally gone through a storm while in ministry, I acknowledged the challenge of serving while being personally impacted.”

Singer shared about how his congregation at Trinity Klein Lutheran in the Houston metro endured Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and slowly but faithfully continued to minister to neighbors during a hard time of recovery. 

Singer also emphasized Psalm 62:5-8, saying that while so much is unstable and uncertain, God is an unshakable fortress and refuge for those who are hurting and scared. 

“Even those who were not directly impacted by this storm are still affected — as you see your colleagues, your friends, your kids, their families, and your communities devastated.”

Singer promised that LCC would provide encouragement and support in the weeks and months ahead.  

READ MORE about how Lutheran Church Charities is ministering to schools recovering from Milton and Helene on the LCC HURRICANE RESPONSE page. ​

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