Let me tell you a story that involves Redeemer Lutheran Church in Spokane Valley, a beautiful golden retriever named Isaac, and a NOW District Catalyst Grant!
Once upon a time — 2017 to be exact — a group of friends and volunteers at Redeemer Lutheran in Spokane Valley, Washington, were called to begin a new ministry. A comfort dog ministry. To fast forward a little bit, Isaac the Comfort Dog is a 7-year-old purebred golden retriever that is part of the Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and now belongs to Redeemer Lutheran Church. He came to Spokane in June of 2020 after his two years of training in Northbrook, Illinois were completed. LCC is an LCMS nonprofit that not only trains congregations in LERT certification (and more recently, spiritual first aid, etc.) in order to equip them to serve communities in crisis, but they also train golden retrievers and their handlers to comfort and help in these situations as well. The LCC mission statement is to use these dogs as a bridge “to share the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need.”
Isaac was the first and currently the only LCC K-9 comfort dog to live and work in the Northwest District (two more NOW congregations are in the process of joining the LCC ministry as well). As you can imagine, two years of training (similar to that of a service dog) and then sending 10 handlers and caregivers for training in Chicago can be quite expensive. This is where the NOW District comes in! We were absolutely thankful and blessed to receive a Catalyst Grant in order to help launch this ministry. The grant, as well as other donations, have paid for the initial and continued expenses going forward. Besides taking Isaac throughout the Inland Northwest these past five years, we have also searched out ways to give back to the district and offer to help start comfort dog ministries in other churches. We are pleased to announce that both St. Luke’s in Federal Way, Washington, and Christ the King in Couer d’Alene, Idaho, are “expecting” and soon will have their own comfort dogs!
On a typical week, Isaac’s 10 handlers (those who hold the leash) and ministry partners (those that focus on ministry) take him to places such as: schools, assisted living facilities, homeless shelters, Veterans ministries, 911 call centers, first responder events, food banks, the Ronald McDonald House, funerals, Sunday church services of course, and really anywhere that we are asked to come and spread joy and comfort. The dogs (regionally and nationally) can also be invited to “deploy” to a community after a particular crisis situation such as a shooting, natural disaster, or other such event. It is typically the LCMS congregation or district in that community that will request “an emergency site visit” from LCC. This request sets the deployment in action, and we strive to have “boots and paws on the ground” within 24 hours or ASAP.
Isaac was most recently deployed to the Los Angeles area in January of 2025 following the devastating wildfires. Isaac and team joined five other comfort dog teams from the West Coast to minister to the LA community affected by the fires. Isaac also deploys twice a year with Spokane’s own Inland Northwest Honor Flight to comfort veterans on a healing trip to Washington, D.C.
People often tell us that Isaac is the calmest, well-behaved, and even intuitive dog they have ever met. Those of us who work with Isaac have the privilege of holding a front row seat to the magic of watching him unconditionally love on and connect with so many hurting people. He keeps all of their secrets and never judges them. Isaac is our bridge and opens the doors into communities that may not otherwise openly welcome Christians and ministries. Jesus walks with us through these doors and shines His light into the lives of those who most need Him.
Everyone is invited to meet Isaac in person at the NOW District Convention in Spokane this June 19-21! He will be at his vendor booth, and his team will be there to answer all of your comfort dog questions and let you enjoy some furry golden comfort! You can also follow Isaac or learn more on his Facebook page or email Isaac@K9comfortdog.org.
See you in June!
