LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Respond With Compassion to School Emergency Site Visits

Last week, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams responded to two emergency site visits at elementary schools in California and Illinois. The K-9s and their handlers were on-site offering compassion and presence to students, staff, and families to help them process the grief they are experiencing.

Browns Valley Elementary – Napa, California
 
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Aaron (St. John’s – Napa, California), Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, California) and Reuben (First Lutheran - Yuba City, California) were invited by the principal of Browns Valley Elementary in Napa, California to provide comfort to the children, staff, and community after a first grade student in Mrs. Underhill's class, a LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Aaron handler, died in an accident.

On Sunday, September 22, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Aaron attended a community vigil and returned on Monday, September 23 to the school with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Micah. The K-9s and their handlers worked closely with counselors and staff to support the students during this very sad time. The K-9s also visited Justin-Siena High School in Napa, California throughout the week, where the mother of the child is a staff member. The students and staff reached out with open arms to receive comfort from the teams.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Aaron continued to support Browns Valley School and the Napa community on Tuesday, September 24 and was invited by the family to attend the funeral service on Wednesday, September 25. 
 
On Thursday, September 26, all three K-9s were able to visit hundreds of elementary and high school students. It was good to see that the children’s tears had turned to smiles throughout the week.
 
We feel blessed to bring the presence of Jesus to those that were hurting during this very sad time.
 
Please keep the family and the Napa community in your prayers.

Troy Shorewood Elementary – Shorewood, Illinois
 
On Wednesday, September 25, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Adeena (St. John - Burlington, Illinois), Jeremiah (LCC Staff) and LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Brutus (LCC Squad) and Nigel (LCC Staff) visited the Troy Shorewood Elementary School in Shorewood, Illinois to bring mercy and compassion to the students and staff after the sudden death of a student.
 
The K-9s were especially helpful to the students and staff in dealing with this tragedy.

LCC never goes where we are not invited and the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, hotel, and meals costs. We also always put boots and paws on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite.

DONATE – LCC K-9 COMFORT DOG FUND