Lutheran Church Charities Welcomes Emmanuel – Baltimore, Maryland, and Christ Lincoln – Lincoln, Nebraska, to the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry

On February 13-15, Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Baltimore, Maryland, and Christ Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, joined LCC staff for handler training. Each church was very excited to meet their new LCC K-9 Comfort Dog and to become part of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry. The new handlers and caregivers spent many hours training in ministry and in handler skills.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Kezia will serve as Emmanuel Lutheran Church’s LCC K-9 as a bridge to showing the Mercy, Compassion, and Presence of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. Kezia Comfort Dog’s Bible verse is Isaiah 58:11, “The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.” Kezia comes from the name of Job's second daughter (Job 42:14), born after prosperity had returned to him.

Christ Lutheran Church will add LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Joanna to their outreach ministry. Joanna will serve as their handlers’ bridge so they can be the Hands and Feet of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need.  

Joanna Comfort Dog’s Bible verse is Psalm 73:26, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Joanna in the Bible was one of the women who ministered to Jesus, and to whom he appeared after his resurrection (Luke 8:3; 24:10).

The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is one of presence. When the Lord calls, we must go and serve Him. Isaiah 6:8 tells us, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me.’”

The following new handlers to the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry have heard that call:

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Handlers
Emmanuel – Baltimore, Maryland
Andy Croll
Clara Croll
Patrick Donnelly 
Ric Durham            
Dawn Fischer
Heather Graddy
Dawn Hull
Lori Wilkey

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Handlers
Christ Lincoln – Lincoln, Nebraska
Judy Hanika
Rich Hanika
Kim Kneifl
Jaelene Koll
Steve Koll
Nancy Pekny
Jodi Pella
Larry Ruwe             
Cindy Sorensen
Amber Ledin
Susan Holland        
Mark L’Heureux
Tony Pekny

LCC is honored to include the following individual to the LCC K-9 Police Ministry:
Patrick Donnelly, Officer, Baltimore (MD), 1993 – 1996

LCC is also honored to include the following individual to the LCC Kare-9 Military Ministry:
Larry Ruwe, United States Marine Corp, 1969 – 1973

We extend a heartfelt thank you for their service and to all of our volunteer handlers for their dedication to the LCC K-9 Ministry.

Donate - LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Fund