LCC K-9 and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministries Present and Comforting in Oxford, Michigan, After Tragic High School Mass Shooting

12/8/2021

LCC Ministry Teams Still Serving in Waukesha, Wisconsin, following the Christmas Day Parade Incident

We only go if invited and NEVER charge those we serve

On Tuesday, November 30, a mass shooting occurred at Oxford High School in the Detroit exurb of Oxford Township, Michigan. Four students were killed and seven people were injured, including a teacher. Authorities arrested and charged a 15-year-old sophomore.

The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were invited by Pastor Matt Schuler and Mike Felten, Director of Family Life, from Journey Lutheran Church in Oxford, Michigan.

LCC K-9 and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) Ministry teams are serving with open hearts to listen to the hurting, bringing them hope, comfort, and prayer. The hearts/crosses were placed at the memorial at Oxford High School for people to sign and leave condolence messages, pray, and pay their respects to the four lives lost so far.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and ministry teams serving Oxford, Michigan:

Anna & Claudia (Trinity - Toledo, Ohio)
Caleb (Immanuel - Valparaiso, Indiana)
Dove (Peace - Fremont, Indiana)
Isaiah & Jael (Trinity - Hobart, Indiana)
Jared (Holy Cross - Fort Wayne, Indiana)

On Friday, December 3, Anna and Claudia Comfort Dogs and their handlers were present at the Candlelight Vigil at the Downtown Oxford Memorial to bring comfort and support to this devastated community. Many people stopped by to spend time with the Comfort Dogs during the service.

A family came up to the Comfort Dogs and their handlers during the memorial service. The son sat on the planters by the team. Anna and Claudia got closer and closer to him, sensing he was in need of comfort and unconditional love. The handlers found out the son was having a hard time after the shooting. Claudia and Anna would not leave his side.

On Sunday, December 5, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their teams attended worship services at Journey Lutheran Church and Early Childhood Center and met Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II of Michigan, who also attended services to support the grieving community.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Anna, Caleb, Claudia, Dove, Isaiah, Jael, and Jared and their handlers were able to spend time comforting parents and their children. A girl and her brother spent time seeking the calming and comforting presence of the Comfort Dogs. A mother watched from the doorway, overwhelmed by how their young lives had been changed. One of the handlers stepped next to the heartbroken mother and put a gentle arm around her holding her close as the mother placed her head on the handler’s shoulder and wept.

After the visit, we received a heartwarming thank you note from a dad:

I'm just a dad who has seen the heartbreaking effect the tragedy in Oxford has had on my 23-year-old daughter. The tragedy that happened at Oxford High School has a ripple effect throughout our small community.

I just wanted to thank you for being here today at Journey Lutheran in Oxford. My daughter is a preschool teacher at Journey. The unconditional love that you brought with your comfort dogs was a much-needed jolt of compassion. I know it truly was the medicine my daughter needed today. I know my daughter wasn't your sole audience this morning at Journey. But I know by her texts, she was definitely a beneficiary of your goodwill and love.

Again, thank you for being in our community at this troubling time.

With great respect and gratitude,

Joe

Later that day, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their teams stopped by the HomeGrown Brewing Company to support their fundraiser for the Oxford community. The teams also visited the memorial at Oxford High School.

On Monday, December 6, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their teams visited the Oxford Lutheran Northwest High School in Rochester Hills, Michigan, during their lunch hour.

On Tuesday, December 7, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Anna, Caleb, Claudia, Dove, Isaiah, Jael, and Jared visited the little ones at Journey Lutheran Church and Early Childhood Center in Oxford. One of the deceased students has a sister that attends Journey Early Child Center.

The little ones were each given a Mini Stuffed LCC K-9 Comfort Dog to take home and hold onto whenever they feel scared or need comfort.

The Journey preschool class was all smiles as they celebrated Jael Comfort Dog's third birthday by singing "Happy Birthday" to her. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers love their new friends at Journey Church and Early Childhood Center.

Every time you purchase a stuffie, we give one to someone who is suffering and in need.

DONATE — Mini Stuffed LCC K-9 Comfort Dog

The teams were also invited by Pastor Matt Schuler to be present at a clergy prayer gathering from churches in the surrounding Oxford community.

Other places where the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs are present this week: Rochester Adams High School, Common Denominator Coffee and Company, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Oxford Bridges High School, and Meijers which was the reunification center for the High School.

A second deployment team will be going to Oxford, Michigan, next week to continue to serve the hurting community with compassion. In addition to other invitations, the LCC K-9 Ministry teams will be visiting all of the feeder schools to the Oxford High School.

Please join LCC as we pray for the Oxford High School community during this incredibly difficult time.

The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry NEVER charge those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. We know that comfort is needed to help this shocked and devastated community and the first responders who serve them.

DONATE — LCC K-9 TRAVEL FUND

DONATE — HEARTS OF MERCY & COMPASSION