LCC CARE TEAMS, K-9 COMFORT DOGS CONTINUE TO BRING HOPE TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Lutheran Church Charities Care Teams and multiple LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Teams are continuing to bring encouragement and hope to those impacted by the devastating wildfires around Los Angeles County.
 
Six Comfort Dog Teams from three states visited seventh- through 12th-grade students and teachers in the courtyard of Flintridge Preparatory School in La Cañada Flintridge, CA, on the day the academy reopened for classes. With gentle pets and cuddles, students welcomed the dogs into their laps, making the first day back calmer and less stressful.   

Serving last week were the following LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams: Genesis with Tom and Sue Baldwin of Good Shepherd, Turlock, CA; Isaac with Julie Blyckert of Redeemer, Spokane Valley, WA, and Miriam Deuel of Christ the King, Coeur d’Alene, ID; Lois with Diana Bartholomew and Cheri Baker of First Good Shepherd, Las Vegas, NV; Micah with Marilyn Hunter and Jonna Dolinta of Light of the Valley, Elk Grove, CA; Rahab with Bobby and Laura Moore of St. Andrews, Stockton, CA; Salome with Drew Santibanez of Faith Community, Las Vegas, NV.

The LCC Comfort Dog teams also made a stop at the Los Angeles County Department of the Medical Examiner/Coroner, where staff members relaxed with the dogs for a bit and received two Hearts of Mercy & Compassion filled with warm handwritten messages and displaying Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is near the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” The handlers listened and prayed with some of the office staff and handed out Mini Stuffed LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs for lasting comfort.

The Comfort Dogs and their dedicated handlers lifted the spirits at the Hilton Garden Inn in Marina del Rey as they presented a Heart of Mercy & Compassion to the hotel, thanking the staff for being open and caring for the community.
 
After leading four Spiritual First Aid™ workshops in Venice, Orange, and Irvine, LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer and LCC Care Teams will be back in Southern California in February to provide a rapid training session at Our Savior Lutheran in Arcadia, CA.

To provide care and assistance for the crisis response, LCC needs help from faithful, generous donors and volunteers like YOU who are willing to support and serve.
 
Help us continue to BE THERE to bring HOPE FOR THE HURTING with your financial gift to Southern California Fire Response fund.
 
“The support you can offer right now will go directly to helping families and LCMS congregations in Southern California affected by the fires,” Rev. Singer said.

HELP LCC BRING HOPE FOR THE HURTING—SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FIRE RESPONSE