Still Standing Together: A Year After the Eaton Fire

A year ago, the Eaton Fire tore through Southern California, leaving behind charred homes, fractured neighborhoods, and lives forever changed. For the families who survived, the rebuilding has been slow—and the scars, both seen and unseen, remain. But amid the hardship, one constant has endured: LCC and our K-9 Comfort Dog teams are still here, walking alongside the people of these communities.

Meeting People Where They Are
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Isaac (Redeemer - Spokane Valley, WA), Rahab (St. Andrews - Stockton, CA), and Zechariah (First Good Shepherd - Las Vegas, NV) spent the week visiting survivors and first responders, offering quiet comfort and gentle presence. At a luncheon in Altadena, families gathered, most having lost everything. Only one family had returned to their home; the others are still waiting, still hoping, still grieving.

Julie, one of the handlers, knelt beside a mother who sat quietly with Isaac. For a moment, she could let down her guard. Tears welled up as the weight of isolation and loss settled in. “It’s nice to just sit here and feel safe,” the mother whispered. “To be able to cry without holding it all in.”
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Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President/CEO, spoke to the group, sharing his own experiences with loss after a hurricane. Survivors nodded, some wiping tears, finding solace in the understanding of someone who had walked a similar path. “Walking alongside fire survivors is holy ground,” Rev. Singer said. “Their stories carry grief, courage, and hope all at once—and it is a privilege to listen and remind them they are seen, heard, and deeply loved.”

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Comfort for Those Who Carry Others’ Burdens
The dogs also visited the people who witness tragedy daily. At the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office, staff paused to pet the dogs, to breathe, to feel a moment of relief. One pathologist had already performed seven autopsies just two hours into his shift. A staff member who had lost her home, moved five times, and welcomed twins in the chaos, said quietly, “It’s just… nice to have this moment. To feel a little peace.”

At Monterey Park Police Department, officers greeted the dogs with familiar smiles. Some remembered the teams from past visits. “It’s like reconnecting with a friend,” one officer said. “Even for a few minutes, it makes a difference.”
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In Alhambra, the team honored the memory of Officer Alec Sanders, killed in the line of duty. Colleagues shared stories and memories while petting the dogs, visibly moved. One officer said, “You don’t just show up and leave—you stay. You care. And that means everything.”

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Redemption, Presence, and Healing
​One word to describe this deployment: Redemption.
Those we visited felt redeemed as people, not logged and forgotten victims or statistics. Blessed. Blessed to be able to drop what we are doing and go. Surrender—trust in the Lord and it will happen.

Throughout the deployment, this sense of redemption echoed in every interaction. Survivors and first responders were reminded that they are more than statistics. They are human beings whose pain, hope, and courage are seen and valued. As one survivor put it:

“People show up when something happens, bring some help, and go away. You guys show up, spend time with us, and you stay in touch. You come back and check in on us.”

A Year Later, We’re Still Here
A year after the Eaton Fire, LCC’s presence continues. Through quiet moments with the dogs, shared prayers, and open hearts, families and first responders are reminded that they are not alone.

Showing up—again and again—matters. It comforts. It heals. It tells people, in ways words alone cannot, that they are seen, heard, and deeply loved.

Because even a year later, LCC is still standing with Southern California. Still showing up. Still walking alongside those who need it most.