New Church Staff Memeber: Comfort Dog!

To find out more information on how you or your church can be involved in getting a LCC K-9 Comfort Dog contact Lutheran Church Charities.

Visit us on Facebook:

Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Parish Comfort Dog Ministry Bringing the Comfort of Christ, the Compassion of Christ, the Presence of Christ, and the Proclamation of Christ to others.

http://www.facebook.com/k9comfort

Making a difference in helping congregations and individuals develop and support Human Care Ministry in their congregation, community, district and the world.

Lutheran Church Charities 333 W. Lake Street Addison, Illinois 60101 Toll-Free: (866) 455-6466 E-Mail: LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org Web: www.K9Comfort.org

Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Parish Comfort Dog Ministry An LCC K-9 Comfort Dog can become a bridge for you to your congregation and community.

Visiting with an LCC K-9 Comfort Dog can help people feel less lonely and less depressed. Visits from dogs can provide a welcome change from routine, or the renewal of old friendships.

An LCC K-9 Comfort Dog visit can offer entertainment or a welcome distraction from pain and infirmity. People often talk to the dogs, and share with them their thoughts and feelings and memories.

The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog makes it easier for two strangers to talk. It gives people a common interest and provides a focus for conversation.

What makes an LCC K-9 Comfort Dog so special?

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs are social. The point of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is the interaction between the dog and the people you are visiting. An LCC K-9 Comfort Dog is calm, tolerant, and friendly.

What can an LCC K-9 Comfort Dog do in a church, healthcare facility, senior residence, or school?

• • • • • • •

Calm a hyperactive child or stimulate a withdrawn patient or older adult Provide a welcome change from daily routine Help to relieve loneliness and depression Facilitate conversation and interaction Lower a patient’s blood pressure and heart rate Stimulate minds, lift spirits and spark memories Create some fun and excitement in your church!

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs are polite. An LCC K-9 Comfort Dog does not touch a person unless it is invited.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs are Golden Retrievers because Goldens are one of the best breeds to do service work. They are intelligent and have calm dispositions.

Possible Ministry Uses of an LCC K-9 Comfort Dog • • • • • • • • • • •

Hospital/Nursing home visits Shut-in visits Sunday school/Grade school classes Sunday morning greeter Walk and Talks around your neighborhood and town Individual Comfort Appointments at Church In the office with professional staff Youth Ministry – at functions Crisis response with Police and Fire Departments Sporting events Occasional Disaster Response (DR) work

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Chapel talks Open houses Conferences Support Groups Funerals Visitor calls Evangelism calls Appearances at Civic Groups Office visits to member workplaces Rainbow groups Meetings (we all know that stressreducing at most church meetings is needed!)

The list can go on and on!

Bringing the Comfort of Christ, the Compassion of Christ, the Presence of Christ, and the Proclamation of Christ to others.

Contact LCC on how you can get involved! www.LutheranChurchCharities.org