“These dogs are so needed here”

K-9 Comfort Dog teams bring comfort and hope to flood-stricken Central Indiana

When historic flooding devastated communities across central Indiana, Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog ministry teams quickly answered the call—not only bringing the calming presence of the dogs to people who were hurting, but helping connect a community in need with volunteers, resources and hope.

Magdalene and Eternity (Cornerstone – Carmel, IN) quickly began responding as excessive rain caused flooding in the Indianapolis area. Their first stops were in Hamilton County, home to two Cornerstone church sites in Carmel, IN, and Fishers, IN. They then headed into Marion County. At Christ Lutheran Church in Noblesville, they met with Pastor Jacob Hercamp and his family and visited a church member impacted by the flooding. The teams then went to the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, where a hub had been established to provide support for flood victims.

From there, the teams visited flood victims, relief centers, churches, shelters and neighborhoods across the region. But it was a visit to Riverwood Park in the Ravenswood neighborhood on Indianapolis' north side that revealed a particularly urgent need.

The Ravenswood community had been severely affected by flooding from the White River. Families were just beginning the long and difficult process of getting back into their homes, cleaning up and trying to put their lives back together. Many homes were impacted, some completely destroyed.

At Riverwood Park, three women from the community had begun organizing a response effort for their neighbors while dealing with the flooding themselves. One of the first people the teams met, Becca, had seen the Comfort Dogs before.

“These dogs are so needed here,” she exclaimed, explaining the enormous needs in the community and the limited help the neighborhood had been receiving.

The Comfort Dog teams knew they needed to return, and that they needed additional support.

Magdalene and Eternity spent long days at Riverwood Park, bringing comfort to flood victims and the volunteers working alongside them. One flood victim came to visit the dogs every day the teams were there. At one point, she said, “You will never know how much I needed these dogs.”

---

Another powerful moment

Another powerful moment came when the pastor of Glendale Christian Church spent time with Eternity Comfort Dog. After a long hug with the dog, she became emotional and said, “Oh my, I did not know these dogs could do this for me.”

The Comfort Dogs' ministry also helped inspire a wider response.

After seeing the need in Ravenswood, the teams returned to Cornerstone to speak with church leadership. A message was sent to church members asking for volunteers, and the next day Cornerstone disciples began arriving to help with cleanup efforts. 

As the response grew, so did the connections being made.

The teams met with counselors at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds and were able to share their information with the Ravenswood response leaders. They connected with a volunteer legal clinic at Church at the Crossing, whose representatives provided information for flood victims and committed to visiting the community if needed. The teams also connected with the Red Cross shelter, Rocky Ripple and Hohlt Park.

The ministry continued to grow through the efforts of many hands and paws. K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams from neighboring areas joined Magdalene and Eternity, including Claudia(Trinity – Toledo, OH), Lazarus (Trinity – Toledo, OH) and Honey (St. Paul – Westlake, OH).

Handlers and Ministry Partners did more than serve alongside the dogs. They helped people find needed resources, sorted and distributed donations, and joined the physical work of cleanup. The Comfort Dogs were often positioned in the center of the response, creating opportunities for conversations, connections and comfort.

One connection even brought heavy equipment to the neighborhood. A Cornerstone disciple who co-owns a large equipment company came to Ravenswood to discuss how he could help. The next day, he returned with dump trucks, other equipment and employees who were paid to assist with cleanup.

A simple visit, hug, or moment

​The response has been a powerful reminder that while people may first notice the dogs, the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is ultimately about the people being served.

As one team member reflected, a simple visit, hug, or moment of comfort can open a door—and suddenly an entire team of people is showing up to serve, encourage and love a community in need.

In the midst of exhaustion, loss and the overwhelming work still ahead, Magdalene and Eternity, along with the teams who joined them, have brought a simple but important message to central Indiana's flood victims: You are not alone.

Through the love and comfort of the dogs, the hands-on work of volunteers, the support of churches and the many connections formed along the way, the teams continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a hurting community.
​
“Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2