Following the grim tragedy in Orlando, the Chicago-based Luthern Church Charities K-9 unit is stepping in to bring hope to victims. According to the LCC, since the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub on Saturday night, twelve golden retrievers have arrived in Florida to provide some relief from this traumatic event. Flying from Iowa, Illinois, Tennessee, Nebraska, Texas, and South Carolina, the squad of comfort pups landed in Orlando in time to join the downtown vigil that attracted 7,500 people to mourn.
The LCC K-9 comfort dogs work to ease the suffering of those in shock and injured from the events of Saturday night, whether from their own presence at Pulse during the shooting or due to a loss of a loved one. At the vigil, the LCC remarked on the dogs’ interactions with the Orlando Fire Department’s first responders as well.
This is Gracie, meeting with first responders:
Here’s Kye, another pup on duty:
And check out Phoebe’s journey from Fort Worth, TX to Monday’s vigil:
Working through injury, shock, and loss after an event like the shooting in Orlando is a long and painful process. In the days after this heinous crime against the LGBTQ+ community, getting immediate support from outlets like the LCC’s troupe of comfort dogs is a vital part of community and personal recovery. If anything, for those readers out there still reeling from this tragedy, we hope this story will help put a smile on your face as the country heals.
If you’d like to donate to the LCC’s traveling fund for their K-9 comfort dogs, you can do so here.
Images via Lutheran Church Charities, Facebook, Twitter
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