LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion
Deploy to Michigan State University

GIVE BELOW

Thank you for supporting the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry at Michigan State University

---

Posted: Tuesday, February 21, 2023

LCC K-9 Ministry Teams and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry Serve East Lansing, Michigan, Following MSU Mass Shooting Tragedy

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry brought much-needed comfort, care, and love to East Lansing, Michigan, after the tragic shooting at Michigan State University (MSU) that took the lives of Brian Fraser, Alexandria Verner, and Arielle Anderson and left five others critically injured.
 
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministries were invited by Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy, Bishop & President, English District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Rev. David A. Davis, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Michigan District President, Rev. Curt Dwyer, Lead Pastor, and Rev. James Robinson, Campus Ministry Pastor, at Martin Lutheran Chapel in East Lansing, Michigan, and Pastor Trevor Sutton at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Haslet, Michigan, to be present last week throughout the community.

Within hours, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Anna (Trinity – Toledo, Ohio), Caleb (Immanuel - Valparaiso, Indiana), Claudia (Trinity – Toledo, Ohio), Dove (Peace – Fremont, Indiana), Jared (Holy Cross – Fort Wayne, Indiana) and Jude (St. Peter – Three Rivers, Michigan) and their handlers departed from their communities in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio to East Lansing, to be a physical presence of love, comfort, and peace to those who are in shock and grieving.

LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry provided three hearts and crosses, one cross for each of the young students killed, and placed them at the memorial site.
 
The students, parents, faculty, and community are numb, devastated, and in shock and are still trying to comprehend the violence that struck this Michigan State University community. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers spent time sitting with many affected, letting them gently pet and receive love and comfort from the K-9s.

The LCC K-9 Ministry teams spent time with many at the vigil held at MSU last week and within the community at East Lansing. The Comfort Dogs welcomed MSU students and faculty with their gentle and loving eyes to sit with them, providing a comforting and quiet place to be. Much comfort and attention were given to the Sparrow Hospital medical staff who took in the victims with urgency, skill, and care.

Pastor Trevor Sutton and the congregation at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church were a welcome and helpful partner to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams who deployed to East Lansing. Pastor Sutton helped the LCC K-9 team build connections with MSU faculty, students, and the local hospital. The St. Luke’s congregation was a thoughtful and generous host to the six LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams.

LCC is very grateful for the support of the MSU faculty and students, MSU Friendship House, the East Lansing community members, and local businesses. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams are also grateful for their time spent with Phi Delta Theta, where Brian Fraser was president of the fraternity. The members of Phi Delta Theta lost a friend and a brother, and their hearts are broken.

The MSU community is in need of our support, love, presence, and prayers as they begin their journey of grief and healing. 

Each hour a gentle hug, a kind word, and a prayer for God’s comforting presence are needed. We pray for the MSU community, the families, and the loved ones of Brian Fraser, Alexandria Verner, and Arielle Anderson.

We lift up the five others critically injured for strength, healing, comfort, and rest so they may go home soon to their families and friends.

After the K-9s visit, LCC received the following note from Dan Winter, Executive Director, of Friendship House MSU:

You may not even be home yet but wanted to express my thanks to you, the team, and especially the "pups" for coming to East Lansing this past week and specifically to the Friendship House on Friday.
 
The visit meant so much to our international student community, and I only wish more of them would have felt comfortable to come here. I can see now that the healing process for our entire community, and especially our international community, is going to be a long process.
 
God Bless all that you do!
 
Dan Winter,
Executive Director
Friendship House MSU

Please join LCC in praying for the entire Michigan State University community and for all of the first responders who heroically responded during this incredibly difficult time.
 
The LCC 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, February 14, 2023

LCC K-9 Ministry Teams and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry Deploy Today to Michigan State University Following Mass Shooting Tragedy

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Arrive Tonight

3 Killed, 5 Critical or Injured, and MSU Students 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

Photo: Nick King/Lansing State Journal

On Monday evening, February 13, a 43 year-old man entered the Michigan State University (MSU) campus walked into the academic building and student union and began shooting. Three students have been confirmed deceased and five others critical or injured. Terrified students and others sheltered in place for hours on the East Lansing campus, which is home to 50,000 students. The suspect was later found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
 
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministries were invited by Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy, Bishop & President, English District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Rev. David A. Davis, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Michigan District President, and Rev. Curt Dwyer, Lead Pastor, and Rev. James Robinson, Campus Ministry Pastor, at Martin Lutheran Chapel in East Lansing, Michigan, to be present this week throughout the community.
 

The LCC K-9 Ministry teams brought hearts/markers through our Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC), Crosses for Losses Ministry to be present and help people who are shocked and trying to process this horrific event.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Anna (Trinity – Toledo, Ohio), Caleb (Immanuel - Valparaiso, Indiana), Claudia (Trinity – Toledo, Ohio), Dove (Peace – Fremont, Indiana), along with their ministry teams will be at the Martin Luther Chapel, 444 Abbot Road, East Lansing, Michigan, for the 5:15 pm prayer vigil on Tuesday, February 14, for victims, families, and the whole MSU community. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Jared (Holy Cross – Fort Wayne, Indiana) and Jude (St.Peter – Three Rivers, Michigan) will join the others on Wednesday. They will be present to listen to those who are grieving, bringing them hope, comfort, and prayer. The hearts/markers will be placed at the designated memorial site for people to sign and leave condolence messages, pray, and pay their respects to the three lives lost so far.

Please pray with LCC while we are present with the Michigan State University community and with all of the first responders who heroically responded during this incredibly difficult time.
 
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charges 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.

Serving Together in the Comfort of Jesus!

Rev. Chris Singer
President/CEO 
Lutheran Church Charities