LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs in Northern California Bring Comfort and Hope to Victims, Elderly, and First Responders

As the 7th Annual LCC K-9 Conference was winding down, the fires in California were rapidly accelerating. LCC received a call from Rev. Phil Zabel who is the disaster response coordinator for northern California. Rev. Zabel had been in contact with Trinity Lutheran Church in Redding, California, and others on a regular basis. An invitation to bring the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs soon followed from First Lutheran in Yuba City, home of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Reuben and Cal Fire.

Reuben Comfort Dog along with his Top Dog, James Casner, having just returned from conference on Saturday, July 28, immediately deployed to the Cal Fire Base Camp at the Andersonville Fairgrounds just south of Redding, California, where thousands of firefighters and National Guard members were stationed.

On Monday, July 30, three LCC K-9 Ministry teams from Nebraska joined Reuben Comfort Dog: LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Eddie (Peace Lutheran – Grand Island, Nebraska), Moses (Christ Lutheran – Grand Island, Nebraska), and Priscilla (Trinity Lutheran – Lincoln, Nebraska). Aaron Comfort Dog (St. John’s – Napa, California) and his team, joined the teams at the end of the week, deploying as soon as they returned home.

The LCC K-9 Ministry teams met daily with firefighters at the camp during breakfast before they left to fight the Carr Fire, and they met with them when they returned back in the early evening. Over 4,000 first responders and support individuals are working on this fire. During their days, the teams visited with evacuees at shelters throughout the area, a visit to the coroner’s office, a firefighters memorial service, and medical aid stations.

“After being away from family and friends for weeks at a time, @comfortdogs makes it a little bit easier. Thank you @comfortdogs my day has been made!”

“I met Moses and Priscilla Comfort Dogs today. I am deployed to the Anderson fairgrounds near Redding, California, in support of the Carr fire. They were both so soft and adorable. Thank you and them so much for the comfort you bring victims and first responders. I didn’t want to let go of them and as I walked away, I actually teared up a little.”

Aaron Comfort Dog shared the following:

“This little boy loved getting miniature me and of course being with his brave Dad.”

So far, the Carr Fire near Redding has burned more than 163,000 acres and is 45 percent contained. The wildfire has killed two firefighters and five civilians, and has destroyed more than 1,000 homes. Conditions were extreme with temperatures over 100 degrees. Extra precautions were taken for both Comfort Dogs and handlers.

Please keep everyone who has been affected by the fires in your prayers, 911 operators, and all the first responders who bravely put their own lives in jeopardy to serve their communities.

Donate - Northern California Fire Victims Fund

Donate - K-9 Travel- Northern CA Fires