August 2017 Newsletter

So . . . have you been sent to the principal's office lately? We love to go as that is the first step in creating a partnership with a local school. We are spotlighting our work in public schools this month.



I enjoy meeting the administrators of the schools I visit regularly. I spend most of my time with the counselors and children and enjoy watching the children grow and change over the time of the school year. Some of them are sad, some of them are lonely or scared. Some of them come to school hungry or go home to empty houses. Some of them struggle to read or learn. Some of them struggle to "fit in". I love them all! I love making them feel loved and special. They do the same to me in return even if they don't know it.

Coder Elementary

"Phoebe is definitely a huge part of our campus climate. When she walks through the hallways, the kids are so excited by her presence.
 
Last year Chuck and Barb brought me a Phoebe, the Comfort stuffed dog. I’ve used her several times this year when some of my students couldn’t quite articulate their feelings of sadness and anger. The simple touch of that Phoebe worked miracles as I saw a sense of comfort and relief through their body language and facial expressions. The kids know and trust Phoebe and although she wasn’t at school in person, she was there in the hands of my kids.
 
This year has been a difficult year at Coder Elementary. We tragically lost two parents very suddenly and it has been hard on not only those students who lost their parents, but also our students and staff. Phoebe and Pax were instrumental in providing support to the kids and adults who were grieving by attending the visitation and funeral. When I visited one of the houses, I took my Phoebe with me. I asked the sweet 5 year old if she would like to hold Phoebe and of course, she did. I don’t think she put her down for days and was seen at the burial her father holding her tightly.

We all consider Phoebe and her Comfort Ministry a blessing to us. Thank you, Comfort Dog Ministry, for supporting and loving our kids!" - Jennifer Kirkpatrick, Coder Elementary School Counselor

Norwood Elementary

"We were blessed to meet Pax and Phoebe this spring at Norwood Elementary. What started out as simple counseling groups with the comfort dogs turned into something much deeper.

Our school experienced a devastating tragedy this spring. Pax and Phoebe were deployed to our campus very early on a Monday morning. Because our community was already familiar with the dogs, they served as a great source of comfort to our students and staff members. We had a special room set up for small groups and individuals to spend time with the dogs, as they mourned the loss of a member of our community. Pax and Phoebe have truly been a gift from God for our school community." - Tina Boyd, Norwood Elementary School Counselor 

De Zavala Elementary

"For the past two years, Pax and Phoebe have given warmth, excitement, calmness and comfort to many of our students at De Zavala Elementary.  Every day, I have students ask me when is Pax or Phoebe coming again.  When Pax or Phoebe are there, our children feel comfortable whispering their thoughts to them, laying on them, getting laps and visits or just petting them.  Pax and Phoebe really do comfort our children.  Pax and Phoebe help kids express their worries, thoughts or sadness.  This allows our students to “get it out” in a healthy way decreasing externalizing behaviors.

When Pax visits, we talk about calmness and how he remains calm and follows directions even when it’s probably difficult.  Then when students who visited Pax have difficulties in class, I can often remind them of Pax and discuss how he remains calm.  I ask the students what specific things they could do in the classroom to be like Pax.  They are usually able to tell me some things and go back into the classroom to try it. 

Like adults, children have stress and situations that are traumatic to them.  Some of the students who visit with Pax or Phoebe are coping with the death of a loved one, an incarcerated parent, sick family member, divorce or separation, fears of family members being deported, struggling academically in school, poor social skills and difficulty keeping friends, anxiety, adjusting to being in school, family involvement with CPS or just having a difficult day.  Pax and Phoebe bring them comfort or help them cope with the situation. 

Pax and Phoebe may not be able to fix the various situations our children go through but they help restore a sense of peace and offer great comfort.  Even when Pax and Phoebe are not there, they still provide comfort.  There have been times when students come to me sad, upset or disappointed about something and they ask for “Baby Pax” to hug.  “Baby Pax” is the stuffed animal puppy with a vest just like the one Pax wears.  They hold “Baby Pax” for a little while and it helps them feel better.

Our students are blessed to have Pax and Phoebe come to our school.  I am so glad that you are willing to share them with us.  They have made a major impact on the lives of many of our students." - Colleen Johnson, De Zavala Elementary School Counselor     


 

LCC K9/Kare 9 Conference 2017

Using the scripture, “Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10), the theme of this year’s LCC K-9 Conference was “Pause at the Master’s Feet.” There were many opportunities throughout the two-day conference to pause and reflect on these words. In pausing, we had the chance to consider the many blessings of this ministry, the many ways in which people’s lives are touched every day throughout the United States and look ahead to the future of the ministry.
 
A highlight for our team was the Meet and Greet that was held Thursday evening. The information about the event went out on Facebook and with over 85 dogs in attendance, we had the pleasure of meeting people from all over the surrounding areas and beyond. We were able to greet them face to face and hear their stories about following the dogs. We were very excited to meet a couple of faithful followers from as far away as Los Angeles and New Mexico. To say we were humbled by the experience is an understatement. Knowing how important it was for people to get to Northbrook and meet the dogs makes us even more eager to share Phoebe and Pax with all we meet.

Upcoming Events

September 17 Wichita Falls, TX - passing of the leash at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church