LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Help St. Paul's Students, Teachers Cope after Tragic Death of 13-Year Old Chloe

Last Thursday, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Hagar (Faith Lutheran - Appleton, Wisconsin) and Samaria (Shepherd of the Hills - Greenville, Wisconsin) responded to the request to be there for the hurting school and church community at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Boduel, Wisconsin, after Chloe Zernicke, 13 years old, died in a tragic ATV accident.

Principal Aaron Landgrave, who serves at St. Paul Lutheran School has had a strong tie to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry for many years. He was the former principal at St. John's Lutheran School in Lombard, Illinois, and handler for LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Eve Comfort Dog there.  The news of Chloe’s sudden and unexpected death affected him deeply. He reached out to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry to help be a source of comfort, compassion, and presence for the students and staff at St. Paul Lutheran School who loved and knew Chloe. 

---

The students and staff were very appreciative of having LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Hagar and Samaria’s presence. When Samaria visited a class of 7th graders they all knew Chloe. One boy sat down on a chair and kept gently touching and petting Samaria’s ears. He didn’t say much and Samaria just stayed with him until recess. The kindergartners shared with the handlers and ministry partners that Chloe came and gave them hugs each day. Chloe’s sister is in the kindergarten class at St. Paul. 

Comfort Dog Hagar’s team visited the 4th graders, who were creating a banner in honor of Chloe. So many children spent time with Hagar seeking her closeness and comfort.  Many of the younger children that Hagar and her team visited were still processing what they had been told that morning.

The children were petting both Samaria and Hagar as they walked out the door. God guided Comfort Dog Hagar and Samaria’s team in those small moments. In those moments you saw the Lord making sure each child received the comfort they needed.

On Monday, Hagar and Samaria Comfort Dogs with their teams returned to St. Paul Lutheran Church to be there to love, support, and comfort the family and friends who attended Chloe’s visitation and funeral. The community came together sharing their love and support. 

---

Chloe’s confirmation verse reminds us to draw near to God and take hold of His hand as nothing will separate us from His love for us. "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[ neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  (Romans 8:38-39)

LEARN MORE & DONATE – LCC K-9 COMFORT DOG MINISTRY