Comfort Dog

St. Matthew’s Comfort Dog Ministry is growing!  Ladel, Lutheran Church Charities first Parish Comfort Dog in 2009, has now been joined by Malachi Comfort Dog. 

We had the  “Passing of the Vest” ceremony for our second Comfort Dog on Sunday, September 9.  Malachi is now officially dual vested as an LCC Comfort Dog and KARE-9 Dog (veterans’ ministry). 

At this, our Comfort Dog Ministry Team consists of:
Top Dog:  Deb Kinne
Caregivers:  Pastor and Deb Kinne, Luann and Don Brusa
Backup Caregivers:  Sally and Roger Henning, Mary Kaye and Dennis Rusch
Handlers: Deb Andersen, Luann Brusa, Don Brusa, Jen Fosness, Rob Fosness, Paula Furst, Michael Furst, Sally Henning, Lea Kelly, Angela Ketcham, Deb Kinne, Annette Lemke, Lauraine Morajda
Ministry Partner:  Anne Abasolo

Ladel and Malachi have had a busy fall!  With 15 trained handlers and two dogs, we are able to minister to more, new and different people using our   Comfort Dogs as a bridge to share the love and compassion of Christ. Ladel is still teaching Malachi the ins and outs of being a good Comfort Dog.  Ladel is continuing her visits   at some of the senior living centers, Ela Twp. Thrive After 3 Reading    Program,and Lake County Haven.  In the meantime, Malachi is beginning to take over some of the senior living center responsibilities and adding new ones, visiting the local police, fire and 911 dispatch units and working alongside our handler Michael Furst with local veterans as part of the KARE-9 unit.  We are still looking for St. Matthew members who would like to coordinate the preparation of small gifts to give to our   senior living residents, not only at Christmastime, but during other holidays such has Valentine's Day and Easter as well.  If you are interested in helping, please contact our Top Dog*, Deb Kinne at 224-360-2015.  (*Top Dog - Official  title given by LCC to the person who is the main contact for each individual Comfort Dog ministry)

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Ladel Facebook Page

Malachi

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