In the midst of disaster, our Comfort Dogs are stepping up to support.
In Spokane, Washington: The fires that started on Saturday have burned more than 8,000 acres, and nearly 65,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in Spokane County. Team Isaac and Team Fisher have been on the ground meeting people at the Red Cross shelter, visiting with fire teams and first responders, and offering comfort to anyone in need. And there are many in need right now. Click here for info on how to donate to the NOW LCMS Disaster Relief Fund.
Miriam Deuel, one of Fisher’s handlers, visited the shelter site on Sunday with her husband, Pastor Dan, from Christ the King Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. They met so many people there who appreciated their gentle presence.
“There was one woman and her husband who were walking by us, and she had tears in her eyes,” Deuel said. “She made eye contact with Fisher, and a slight smile appeared on her face. I asked her, ‘Do you want to say hi to Fisher? She’s here for you!’ She burst into tears and went straight in for a hug. Then she looked up at Dan and said, ‘We just found out that our house burned down. We came here to find out what our resources are. My kids and pets are safe, but we don’t have any food or clothing. I don’t even know where to begin.’ The weight they were carrying was palpable.”
Deuel said the teams will be present every day this week in Spokane, and probably beyond that. They are eager to go anywhere they are invited. Please reach out to them if you have needs or specific visits that you would like to see happen (Isaac Comfort Dog and Fisher Comfort Dog).
The local media is even taking note of their efforts:
“Cd’A canine comforts wildfire evacuees”
“Lutheran charity golden retrievers comfort Spokane Complex Fire evacuees as wildfires rage”
In Twin Falls, Idaho: Comfort Dogs Rahab (Stockton, California) and Zacchaeus (Fort Collins, Colorado) are visiting with the community following the tragic In-N-Out shooting there this weekend. Normally this would be Fisher’s area to cover, but she was busy in Spokane, so other teams were called in to assist. Pastor Clint Lutz from XrossWay Ministries invited the dogs because he knew it would be a blessing.
“On Monday morning, Rev. Chris Singer, President of LCC called me,” Lutz said. “We are friends, and so when he heard of the tragedy in Twin Falls, he immediately thought of me. Two teams arrived: one from Stockton, California, and one from Fort Collins, Colorado. The LCC comfort canines, named Zacchaeus and Rahab, have been a blessing to the city of Twin Falls. We brought comfort to many of the businesses around the area of the tragedy, to the managers and staff of In-N-Out, to the families of the victims, to the police department, fire department, coroner’s office, City Hall, and everywhere we went. God is doing some incredible work through the ministry of LCC. We hope to write some of these stories in the near future.”
Rahab’s team posted on her Facebook page: “This week, we have had the privilege of working alongside Pastor Clint Lutz and his wife, Bonnie, from XrossWay Ministries. We are so thankful for their help, encouragement, and support as we have been serving the Twin Falls community. They have been such a blessing to us and to this community during a very difficult time. We are so thankful to have been invited here. We love helping spread the Light of Jesus to a community that is hurting. Sometimes that light comes through a hug, sometimes through simply listening, and sometimes through a comforting paw resting beside someone who needs to know they aren’t alone. Please continue to keep Twin Falls in your prayers.”
“I really wish we could be there [in Twin Falls],” Deuel said. “However, if we cannot, I’m so grateful to those two teams for stepping up!”
In Seattle, Washington: On July 26, the Bite of Seattle became the scene of heartbreak when two innocent people were killed in an act of senseless violence. Sharon, our Comfort Dog at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Federal Way, Washington, was honored to be present as the community gathered for a silent vigil.
“Through a gentle presence, listening ears, and the unconditional love of Christ, [Sharon and her team] stood alongside those who were grieving, reminding them they were not alone,” LCC wrote in a Facebook post. “They spent time with community members, event staff, and the families of the victims, sharing comfort, hope, and compassion in the midst of sorrow. Please join us in praying for the families of the victims, Carlos Villalba and Ashley Whitehead, and for everyone whose lives have been forever changed by this tragedy. May God surround them with His peace, comfort, and hope, and may His love continue to shine through all who come alongside those who are hurting.”
We will keep updating on the ways these dogs and their teams are serving, and how folks can help.
Please continue to pray for the firefighters, relief workers, first responders, and friends and loved ones of the victims in these communities.
