LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Eden (Peace - Columbus, Nebraska), and her dedicated handlers and ministry partners have established a blessed working relationship with the Columbus Hospital in Columbus, Nebraska, since January 2024. Comfort Dog Eden's team has six members who went through the volunteer training program at Columbus Hospital to make these important visits. The team can visit, see, comfort, and support the Senior Behavioral Department, the Infusion Department, and the second floor for patient visits. Eden and her team also visit the child daycare facility, which mainly offers care for the hospital employees. We love to see the joy and smiles on the children's faces when they see Eden. Those visits to the child daycare also comfort their parents, knowing they had a sweet visit with Eden Comfort Dog and her team. Last week, the hospital hosted Eden and her teams at an event called "Paws for Patient Experience." Eden's team spent two days set up in the admissions area, greeting nurses, employees, and newly arriving patients to the facility. A note was shared with the team written by the lead clerk of the registration department. It stated, "Thank you, Eden, for being a calming presence and putting a smile on our faces. It is amazing how an animal can bring joy to everyone! Eden and her buddies can visit our waiting room anytime." LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Eden's team is grateful to God for opening the doors to visit with the patients and the dedicated and excellent staff at Columbus Hospital. We thank the nurses for all they do each day to care for their patients and families.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Isaac (Redeemer - Spokane Valley, Washington) was again invited to be the Inland Northwest Honor Flight’s official comfort dog. We most recently were able to join the April 2024 flight from Spokane, Washington, to Washington DC, for a whirlwind 38-hour trip to honor four Korean War veterans and 85 Vietnam War veterans, including two women. Isaac Comfort Dog and handlers were asked to be a part of this team to serve, greet, and ultimately comfort these service men and women as they cope with remembering their losses and, many times, subsequent PTSD that remains from serving in these wars. Several veterans were able to share their stories of triumph and loss and, many times, the disrespect that they experienced while serving our country. One of the Marines shared with Isaac and his handlers about the many lives he saved and yet too many comrades he lost during the war, and Isaac was able to walk with him as he found the names of his most beloved friends on the wall. He later shared (within hours) that this experience had profoundly changed him and given him peace. So many tears were shed as several veterans felt loved and appreciated for their service for the first time. Isaac is indeed an integral part of these trips, and we are so honored to be able to serve these heroes of our nation in this capacity. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Amos (Our Savior's Way - Ashburn, Virginia) and Kezia (Emmanuel - Baltimore, Maryland) and their handlers joined Isaac at the Vietnam Memorial Wall. Lutheran Church Charities held a Basic LCMS LERT chainsaw operation and safety classroom instruction at Walcamp in Kingston, Illinois, on May 3. This class was co-led by LCMS Chainsaw Certified Instructors and LCC advanced team leaders Marty Johnson and Ed Boerman. On Saturday, May 4, thirty basic and advanced chainsaw-certified LCC staff and LERT team members worked as chainsaw and heavy equipment operators and draggers to clear downed and dead trees, limbs, and brush from the camp. Bill Indelli, Walcamp Executive Director, expressed his sincere thanks for all of the work completed to prepare the property for campers. The eighteen first-time chainsaw operators received individual instruction and guidance from advanced team leaders as they began to safely practice felling and bucking trees and limbs, as well as serving with chainsaw team members. LERT chainsaw volunteers from the following Illinois, Indiana, and North Carolina churches were in attendance: Illinois
Christ the Rock, Rockford Good Shepherd, Frankfurt Heartland, Normal Immanuel, Batavia Immanuel, Belvidere Lord of Life, Elburn Prince of Peace, Palatine St. John's, Union St. John, Wheaton St. Paul, Rockford Trinity, Lisle Trinity, Roselle Indiana Christ Lutheran, Valparaiso North Carolina Eternal Shepherd, Seneca LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs in Training Bring Smiles to the Residents at Arden Courts Memory Care Facility4/30/2024
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry was honored to be invited to give a presentation on the outreach services the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry provides as well as send LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers to greet, comfort and love the critical care nurses that attended the Annual Northern Illinois Chapter of American Association of Critical Care Nurses (NIAACN) Trauma Symposium for the Northern Illinois Chapter of American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Becky Kilvinger, who coordinates LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Charity and the team at Brookfield Lutheran Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin gave an informative and emotionally impactful presentation on how the ministry extends into the communities and nationally, specifically serving nurses, hospitals and other first responders. There was so much joy in the room as the critical care nurses spent their breaks between sessions, snuggled up in the warmth of LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield - Brookfield, Wisconsin) and Mary (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin), LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Brutus and Nigel (LCC Staff), and LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs in Training Abednego, Meshach, Olive, Saul, Shadrach, Zechariah, and Zion. Upon seeing the Comfort Dogs, the nurses lit up the room with their beautiful smiles. It was wonderful to see them relaxing as they spent time with our Comfort Dogs and their handlers. A small Heart of Mercy & Compassion from LCC was presented to each of the critical care nurses at the NIAACN Trauma Symposium as encouragement and thanks for all they do. We give thanks to God for these skilled, compassionate, and trained nurses who provide essential and immediate care to their patients. Their days are ever-changing, with extended hours and significant stress. We lift them up for God’s protection from the strain of their workload and to be comforted by His love, peace, and presence so they can continue forward with the much-needed care and assistance they provide to so many people. May 6 through May 12 is National Nurses’ Week, a moment to recognize, celebrate, encourage, and support all the nurses for their dedication to caring for others and improving the health of their patients. "May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands." (Psalm 90:17) LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Provide Solace to Families During National Crime Victims Rights Week in Chicago4/29/2024
Over the weekend, on Saturday, April 27, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs, Emma, Grace, and Hannah (LCC Staff) provided solace to families who have lost loved ones to gun violence in Chicago this year. The Chicago Police Department (CPD) organized a vigil for 45 families during National Crime Victims Rights Week, allowing them to share their stories and unite as a community to offer support and access resources provided by the CPD. The presence of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs, known for their ability to bring smiles in the midst of tears, particularly lifted the spirits of the children present at the event. |
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