LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion
Deploy to Uvalde, Texas
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CLICK HERE to see photos of LCC ministries serving in Uvalde
Posted: Wednesday, June 8, 2022
K-9 Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Continued to Serve in Uvalde, Texas, Following a Mass Shooting
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When Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words. Job 2:11-13
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were present in Uvalde, Texas, to be with the hurting; to let them be seen, heard, and comforted in their grief.
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The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and handlers were asked last week to attend two visitations to be there for the family and friends of the victims. The grieving needed the loving brown eyes and gentleness of the Comfort Dogs as they cried and mourned the loss of their loved ones. Many hugs were given, and prayers were shared at those times.
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were a safe place for the children and adults to go to in their pain. No expectations, no judgments, only unconditional love and acceptance were found in time spent with LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Job (Christ the King - Memphis, Tennessee), Keren (Immanuel - Ellsworth, Kansas), Pax and Phoebe (St. Paul - Fort Worth, Texas), and Persis (King of Kings - Glenpool, Oklahoma). |
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At the Memorial site, the team spent time with police officers surrounding them in love, compassion, and prayer.
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The team spent time with the Uvalde Memorial Hospital staff allowing Job, Persis, Pax, and Phoebe Comfort Dogs to do what they do best: love and comfort. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs helped the nurses and doctors to smile and relax for a moment and allowed them to process their thoughts, emotions, and loss they were feeling.
Each day the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers spent time with parents, children, friends, neighbors, and first responders all affected and grieving the loss of the nineteen children and two teachers. The loss is a heavy weight on this community.
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry has hopes and plans to return to Uvalde when the students and teachers return to school in the fall as this will be a very difficult time for all of them, including the parents.
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry has hopes and plans to return to Uvalde when the students and teachers return to school in the fall as this will be a very difficult time for all of them, including the parents.
Dear Lord, Please keep watch over the community of Uvalde who is grieving the loss of their loved ones. You know how deeply they are hurting, how painful the sorrow is, and what they need each day. We pray that you bring them the comfort and strength they need in their darkest moments. Please surround them with people who will show them love, care, and compassion. We pray they draw near to you for your love, hope, and healing as they continue to grieve. In Jesus’ name, Amen
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. We know that comfort is needed to help this shocked and devastated community and the first responders who serve them.
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. We know that comfort is needed to help this shocked and devastated community and the first responders who serve them.
Posted: Wednesday, June 1, 2022
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This week LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Cubby and Devorah (Redeemer – Fort Collins, Colorado), Gabriel (Messiah – Houston, Texas), Joy (Gloria Dei – Houston, Texas), Triton (Messiah – Plano, Texas), LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Abner (Bethany – Austin, Texas), Miriam (Emmanuel – Kingfisher, Oklahoma), and LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Elijah (Our Redeemer – Wichita Falls, Texas) and their handlers have served Uvalde with a calming, loving, and compassionate presence.
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The K-9 Ministry teams brought with them twenty-one Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) and crosses, one for each of the victims of this tragedy. Each Heart of Mercy & Compassion bears the name of a child or teacher killed and the bible verse Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
The HMC and crosses are in remembrance of each of those beautiful lives and for people to share messages and prayers of love, hope, and sorrow. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and teams cannot erase the memories or replace the grief that is felt but they can share the love, empathy, and light of Christ with them. |
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The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs spent time with families at the school memorial site and the Town Square where people gathered to grieve. At the Town Square, some of the handlers helped parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles whose tears quietly flowed as they tried to find their child’s cross. To be with the grieving was what was needed at that moment. The Comfort Dogs brought comfort and distraction from the thoughts and emotions that flooded the grieving.
As people touched and looked at Abner, Cubby, Devorah, Elijah, Gabriel, Joy, Miriam, or Triton, it soothed them even if it was just for a while. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers sat with the people and heard their stories, or sat with them in their silence. The handlers offered prayers that were readily accepted. |
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The Comfort Dogs were on call for special visits with those directly affected by the shooting. The teams also spent time with the community at a local store where families went to get away from the media attention that descended on their small town. The people quickly sought out the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs for their quiet gentleness and love.
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On Tuesday, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Keren (Immanuel – Ellsworth, Kansas), Pax and Phoebe (St. Paul – Fort Worth, Texas), LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Job (Christ the King – Memphis, Tennessee), LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Persis (King of Kings – Glenpool, Oklahoma), and their handlers arrived in Uvalde as the need is still there for the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need.
We lift up Uvalde in prayer for God’s strength, peace, and healing. |
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. We know that comfort is needed to help this shocked and devastated community and the first responders who serve them.
Posted: Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Eight LCC K-9 Ministry Teams and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Deploy in Less than 24 Hours to Mass Shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas
19 Students & 3 Adults Killed
Many Injured and Traumatized
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13
On Tuesday, May 24, nineteen young students and three adults have been killed, many injured and hundreds of students traumatized when an 18-year-old suspect, a student at Uvalde High School, entered Robb Elementary School and began shooting until he was fatally wounded.
The same afternoon, Lutheran Church Charities was invited by Rev. Mark Tews of Trinity Lutheran Church in Uvalde, Texas, LCMS Texas District President Michael Newman, and Dr. Bill Hinz, Education Executive on the Texas District staff to bring the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses, to the shocked and hurting community that has been greatly impacted by this tragic event.
The same afternoon, Lutheran Church Charities was invited by Rev. Mark Tews of Trinity Lutheran Church in Uvalde, Texas, LCMS Texas District President Michael Newman, and Dr. Bill Hinz, Education Executive on the Texas District staff to bring the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses, to the shocked and hurting community that has been greatly impacted by this tragic event.
Bonnie Fear, LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator, and the following LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Ministry teams are deploying today to be with the families, survivors, and all of the first responders who serve them:
LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Elijah (Our Redeemer – Wichita Falls, Texas) will arrive today and LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Abner (Bethany – Austin, Texas), Gabriel (Messiah – Houston, Texas), Joy (Gloria Dei – Houston, Texas), Miriam (Emmanuel – Kingfisher, Oklahoma), and Triton (Messiah – Plano, Texas) will arrive today, and Cubby and Devorah (Redeemer – Fort Collins, Colorado) will arrive on Thursday with more to follow in the coming days.
LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Elijah (Our Redeemer – Wichita Falls, Texas) will arrive today and LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Abner (Bethany – Austin, Texas), Gabriel (Messiah – Houston, Texas), Joy (Gloria Dei – Houston, Texas), Miriam (Emmanuel – Kingfisher, Oklahoma), and Triton (Messiah – Plano, Texas) will arrive today, and Cubby and Devorah (Redeemer – Fort Collins, Colorado) will arrive on Thursday with more to follow in the coming days.
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. We know that comfort is needed to help this shocked and devastated community and the first responders who serve them.
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.
Serving Together, Serving Others in Need, as We Serve Jesus!
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.
Serving Together, Serving Others in Need, as We Serve Jesus!
Tim Hetzner
President/CEO
Lutheran Church Charities
President/CEO
Lutheran Church Charities