 The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is made up of over 1,000 volunteers who love and serve Jesus, love and serve His people, and love the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs. The ministry partners, handlers, and Top Dogs are more than volunteers; they are family. They gather together to celebrate and thank God for His love, direction, strength, and hope. They share the joy of serving together and reflecting on how this journey has changed and grown their faith and love for others.  The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is one of presence. Seeing those we meet with the eyes of Jesus, listening without distraction, focused on each word, gesture, and unspoken word. Loving, caring, and praying with the people we are blessed to meet. The last couple of years of Covid have separated us, but as the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry reconnects with the regional gatherings, we reflect on how we did not stop serving, loving, or growing in our faith. God has been with us and continues to be with us. Last weekend, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Minnesota Comfort Dog teams gathered together in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Brookfield Lutheran Church graciously hosted teams of over 120 handlers, ministry partners, Top Dogs, and thirty-five LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs. The regions of Illinois (Indiana) and Wisconsin (Minnesota) heard speakers from Wisconsin Hero Outdoors with Sam Rogers from Concerned Veterans for America. Sam Rogers shared with the teams the struggles veterans faced while serving, transitioning from service to returning home, and how the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry can continue to serve our veterans with the mercy, compassion, and presence of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Beverly Yahnke from Doxology spoke on how our teams can stay resilient while serving in sometimes very sad situations. Pastor Rob, Pastor Eric, and Pastor Joe led the teams with prayer and devotion. They equipped them with the knowledge to help them as they go out and serve. Mike Klepp shared the ministry Bethany Comfort Dog, and her team is doing at Danville Correctional and the blessings that have come from those visits.
The regional gathering culminated with church service on Sunday. What a moment that was for all those that attended! Pastor Prada was at the service on Sunday. Pastor Prada is from St. Martini in Milwaukee and had reached out to LCC to have someone come and speak about what we do as part of his sermon. This visit was assigned to LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Charity and her handlers.  Pastor Rob from Brookfield Lutheran Church wanted to send off the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams with prayers and encouragement before they headed out to continue to do great work.
Pastor Rob shared with the congregation many kind remarks about the teams, what the teams do, and how much time, love, and effort each person puts into this ministry. He invited Pastor Prada to share his testimony on the impact the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs have. Pastor Prada shared that Charity Comfort Dog had visited with his congregation, and there was a 15-year-old girl present. She sat with Charity for some time that day. She was going to commit suicide later that day. She came back and shared specifically that because of her time with Charity, on what we consider a “routine visit,” she decided NOT to end her life that day. She decided to seek help and make her life a life worth living. No words. Each handler, ministry partner, and Top Dog in the service was wiping tears from their eyes. All of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their team of handlers and ministry partners are in that story that Pastor Prada shared. Each of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs, handlers, ministry partners, and Top Dogs have been that quiet presence in someone’s life sharing the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ. Comments are closed.
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