Four LCC Comfort Dogs and their handlers shared God's love, hope, and comfort at the national conference of Bereaved Parents of the USA at Hilton Washington Dulles Airport last weekend. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Kezia (Emmanuel Lutheran, Baltimore, Maryland), Solomon (King of Glory Lutheran, Williamsburg, Virginia) , and Abraham (Trinity Lutheran, Hicksville, New York) joined LCC Comfort Dog Amos (Our Savior's Way Lutheran, Ashburn, Virginia) at this important and emotional event. Founded in 1995, Bereaved Parents of the USA is a national organization for families who have lost a child. For the last couple of years, the group has invited Lutheran Church Charities to provide a safe, loving presence for attendees. “It is a time for the handlers and ministry partners to carry God's light during those moments of sadness and loss,” the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams agreed. Handlers and ministry partners also presented more than 100 Hearts of Mercy and Compassion, each bearing the name of the loved ones who had passed away. These special hearts were given to each parent, sibling, and grandparent who attended the conference and memorial service. The handlers, ministry partners, and comfort dogs listened quietly as attendees shared stories and memories of their lost sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and grandchildren. Many welcomed gentle hugs of support. Emotions flowed genuinely and without reservation . One woman shared with the LCC Comfort Dog team, “I have been here year after year, but have no new pictures or stories to share of my child, I only have my memories.” Attendees support one another and celebrate the lives of those they have lost, but the warmth and kindness a comfort dog can touch them deeply. Many bereaved parents buried their faces and their tears in the soft fur of Kezia, Abraham, Amos, and Solomon. One of the Comfort Dog handlers shared, “I have never received more hugs while being out with Amos! We saw that those who were suffering felt the promise of hope in our prayers for them. Our compassion reminded them that Jesus’s love is present in their loss and they were comforted by our presence.” The Hearts of Mercy and Compassion also proved meaningful. Each one bore the name of a loved one who had passed away. Handlers and ministry partners saw emotion and appreciation on their faces. Some hugged the hearts they received tightly to their chest. One parent sat down next to Kezia Comfort Dog with a Heart and said, “This is my daughter.” Another handler shared, “There was one older woman who wasn’t familiar with our ministry. She was very overcome with appreciation for the Heart she received and asked us if we believed in Jesus. We all said ‘yes!’ She said, “Well this really gives me hope and inspiration.” Comments are closed.
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