LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry Teams and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Deploy to Las Vegas, Nevada
to BE THERE for the Community

Thanks to you, we are there.

GIVE BELOW

Three People Killed
Fourth Critically Injured

"Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted."
Matthew 5:4

In the wake of a profound tragedy that has cast a shadow over the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), there emerges a heartwarming presence, one with gentle paws and unspoken empathy—the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs.
 
In a time when words fail to capture the depth of emotions, the comfort dog teams arrive with a language of their own - one of unconditional love and understanding. Each wag of their tails carries a message of hope, and each nuzzle is a gesture of compassion.

The comfort dogs serve as a bridge, their presence encouraging conversations, soothing anxieties, and creating a haven of comfort in a time of profound sorrow. They remind us that, amidst the chaos, there's a profound beauty in the simplicity of their affection.
 
We are so grateful to our LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams who dropped everything to BE THERE for the UNLV students and staff.
 
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Lois (First Good Shepherd - Las Vegas, Nevada), Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, California), Phinehas (Trinity - Fremont, Nebraska), Reuben (First Lutheran - Yuba City, California), and Salome (Faith Lutheran - Las Vegas, Nevada) spent time with students who remained on the University Nevada Las Vegas campus during the winter break. 
 
Wherever the Comfort Dog teams went, the handlers could see relief as students spent time with the dogs, feeling safe and diverting them from oppressing thoughts of the shooting that happened on their campus last week.

A resident assistant at one of the dorms even sent a photo to all her residents to get them downstairs to where the dogs were. It did not take long for the students to come to the Comfort Dogs once that photo was shared. The students relaxed, accepting the comfort, gentleness, and safety the Comfort Dogs offered them as they talked to the handlers about school, their lives, and dreams for the future.
 
The Comfort Dogs also visited the UNLV School of Dental Medicine students who had finals this week. One of the students shared, “This is the best thing we needed today. We needed to spend time with a dog today.” The handlers could see their bodies relax, and their eyes and smiles light up during these special visits with the Comfort Dogs and handlers. The faculty from the school of dentistry was happy to see the students on the floor relaxed and spending time with Lois, Micah, Phinehas, Reuben, and Salome.

On Tuesday, the Comfort Dogs visited the Sunrise Hospital staff that received and cared for the victims of the shooting. The teams presented to the emergency medical staff a Heart of Mercy & Compassion filled with messages of comfort and prayers.

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The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their teams will spend time this week with the Las Vegas 911 operators and coroner’s office that responded to the shooting. These dedicated women and men respond and see so much tragedy every day. We hope the Comfort Dogs and handlers can share the comfort, hope, and love of Jesus, providing them a safe and relaxed place from their worries and stress.

Hearts of Mercy & Compassion for the Lives Lost

Three Hearts of Mercy & Compassion and crosses were placed at the memorial site to honor the precious lives lost; Jerry Cha-Jan Chang (64), Patricia Navarro-Velez (39), and Naoko Takemaru (69). The hearts provide an opportunity for people to write messages of support, hope, and healing. Often, a simple act of writing a message can provide comfort and closure to people.

Thank you for BEING THERE by working through Lutheran Church Charities

We are incredibly thankful for your support, which makes it possible for us to BE THERE where we are needed most.
 
Your donations have made a tangible difference in the lives of the people we are blessed to help during our deployment to Las Vegas.
 
The love, healing, and comfort we've been able to provide are a direct result of your generosity.

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In response to the shooting that occurred at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) on Wednesday, the network of LCC-affiliated churches across the nation mobilized to provide relief and comfort to those affected. As soon as news of the tragedy broke, LCC staff, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog, and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion ministries volunteers came together to make a plan to BE THERE for the community. Their actions were inspired by their faith and guided by an overwhelming desire to help those in need. Several LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams immediately started preparations to deploy.

Two LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams based in Las Vegas, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Lois (First Good Shepherd - Las Vegas, Nevada) and Salome (Faith Lutheran - Las Vegas, Nevada), were present at the Candlelight Vigil last night, bringing love and comfort to all, including many UNLV students and staff.
 
Lutheran Church Charities has been invited by Rev. Dr. Mike Gibson, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Pacific Southwest District President, and Pastor Brad Beckman of First Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, Nevada, to bring additional LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs, as well as LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion to the shocked and hurting community that this horrific event has greatly impacted.

Bonnie Fear, LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator, James Casner, Assistant K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator, and LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, California), Phinehas (Trinity - Fremont, Nebraska), and Reuben (First Lutheran - Yuba City, California), and their handlers will deploy to Las Vegas today and Saturday to be present, and to listen to those who are grieving, bringing them comfort, love, friendship, hope, and prayer.

LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion affiliate First Lutheran, Yuba City, California, is providing Hearts of Mercy & Compassion to be placed at UNLV to provide a place for comfort and hope to the students, faculty, and the surrounding community in this difficult time.

We hope these resources will serve as a reminder that people across the nation love and support them. We pray that the community finds solace in the presence of these comforting resources.

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 in the Comfort of Jesus!

Rev. Chris Singer
President/CEO 
Lutheran Church Charities