Emergency responders can come in many shapes and sizes, and the newest batch is no different. In response to the terrible school shooting this week, more help is on the way in the form of furry friends: comfort dogs.
Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) K-9 Ministries has dispatched eight comfort dogs to Uvalde, Texas to help survivors, their families, first responders and members of the community. The special K-9 unit has been traveling the country for years providing support in the midst of disasters, including mass shootings. The group also offers comfort to the country’s police, educators, nurses and military during appreciation weeks.
Eight LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Deploy in Less Than 24 Hours to Mass Shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
— LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs (@K9ComfortDogs) May 25, 2022
Please pray for Uvalde, TX and our teams as they travel today.
Donate to K-9 Travel Fund: https://t.co/jswtDc1mm0#uvaldeTX pic.twitter.com/JuQTgYzRyB
So who are these furry angels? They come from all around Uvalde and beyond. They include Elijah from Wichita Falls, Texas, Abner from Austin, Texas, Gabriel and Joy from Houston, Texas, Miriam from Kingfisher, Oklahoma, Triton from Plano, Texas and Cubby and Devorah from Fort Collins, Colorado. According to the organization’s Instagram account, more dogs will arrive in the days to come.
And they won’t be the only ones. According to NPR, Crisis Response Canines is sending six teams of certified handlers and dogs from New Jersey, Ohio and Florida. Therapy Animals of San Antonio has also dispatched teams, as well as Canines 4 Christ who has partnered with Salvation Army to bring love and support.
No matter where the comfort dogs come from, they are providing priceless therapy for those in need. According to the American Kennel Club, these “crisis response dogs are trained to handle stressful, crowded situations so that they can help people remain calm in disasters.” They handle children and adults in distress well and aren’t bothered by crying and screaming. And, being dogs, they are perfectly huggable and bring inexplicable peace when it feels like it can’t be found.
According to Good Morning America, the comfort dogs will remain in Uvalde, Texas at least until Monday to continue bringing support to the community.
RELATED STORIES
How to Donate to Uvalde Families Right Now
Daughter of Uvalde Teacher Who Lost Her Life Posts a Tribute to Her Incredible Mother
Fourth Grade Teacher and Mom among Those Tragically Killed in the Texas School Shooting
