LCC K-9 Ministry Teams Deploy to Uvalde, Texas, to Be Present for One-Year Anniversary of Robb Elementary School Mass Shooting

A Week of Remembrance and Healing

On Sunday, May 21, Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog® Ministry arrived in Uvalde, Texas, to be present for the one-year anniversary of the Robb Elementary School mass shooting that occurred on May 24, 2022, killing nineteen students and two teachers.

LCC was invited by Rev. Michael W. Newman, President, Texas District Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), and Rev. Mark W. Tews of Trinity Lutheran Church in Uvalde. Also present in Uvalde is Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President & CEO, and Bonnie Fear, LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Abner (Bethany – Austin, Texas), Damaris (Memorial – Katy, Texas), Gabriel (Messiah – Houston, Texas), Gideon (St. Michael – Bloomington, Minnesota), Jael (Trinity – Hobart, Indiana), Joanna (Christ – Lincoln, Nebraska), Joy (Gloria Dei – Houston, Texas), Martha (Bethany – Austin, Texas), Peace (Trinity – Orlando, Florida), Persis (King of Kings – Glenpool, Oklahoma), and Triton (Messiah – Plano, Texas) will be present in Uvalde until Friday, May 26 for a week of remembrance and healing.

In May and June 2022, Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) Ministry responded to the Robb Elementary School Shooting in Uvalde, Texas. In September 2022, the LCC K-9 Ministry teams returned to Uvalde for the first three weeks to help students, teachers, and staff as they returned to school.
 
A Week of Remembrance and Healing

On Sunday, the teams were present at Uvalde Town Square Memorial Site, where they met several teachers from the Uvalde schools who remembered the Comfort Dogs from their previous visit in September.

On Monday, eleven of the returning LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams spent time with the students at eight of the Uvalde schools. It was their last day of school. The students and staff were so happy and touched to see the Comfort Dogs and handlers as they had become friends.

On Tuesday, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs visited with the staff at Uvalde Memorial Hospital. We remember them as they cared for the wounded and the families.

During their week in Uvalde, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams will also spend time in the community in different locations sharing the presence of comfort and love on the anniversary date of May 24.
 
On Friday, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Abner, Gideon, Jael, Martha, Peace, and Persis will visit with the teachers and staff at each of the Uvalde schools. On Friday evening, those LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and handlers will celebrate with families and friends of the seniors graduating from Uvalde High School. It is an honor to be invited to attend as a support to them on this very special occasion.
 
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams look forward to continuing to build on the relationships they started in the Uvalde community last year and help process many painful memories and emotions brought up as we honor the 21 lives lost last year.

Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President & CEO by LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion at Uvalde Town Square Memorial Site

Please join us in praying for Uvalde and our teams as we bring God's love and comfort to those in need.
 
LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
 
Please support us by prayer, and if you are so moved, help us with travel expenses.
 
Thank you for being a part of the Mercy and Compassion Ministry of Lutheran Church Charities.

WE REMEMBER

Nevaeh Bravo, 10
Jacklyn Cazares, 9
Makenna Elrod, 10
Jose Flores Jr., 10
Eliahna Garcia, 9
Irma Garcia, 48
Uziyah Garcia, 10

Amerie Garza, 10
Xavier Lopez, 10
Jayce Luevanos, 10
Tess Mata, 10
Maranda Mathis, 11
Eva Mireles, 44
Alithia Ramirez, 10

Annabell Rodriguez, 10
Maite Rodriguez, 10
Alexandria Rubio, 10
Layla Salazar, 11
Jailah Silguero, 10
Eliahna Torres, 10
Rojelio Torres, 10

DONATE — LCC K-9 TRAVEL FUND

DONATE — HEARTS OF MERCY & COMPASSION