My team and I have done a lot of travelling this past month.  Shortly after our regional team meeting in Las Vegas, the Kincade Fire broke out in Sonoma County.  Micah Comfort Dog joined Reuben and myself as we visited first responders and firefighters at the Cal Fire base camp.  Base camp is the temporary home for the firefighters who are battling the fires and provides them an opportunity for much needed rest.  Micah, Reuben and I were very blessed to bring a bit of “normalcy” for these brave heroes while they were away from (and missing) their homes, families and pets.

Following the terrible shootings at Saugus High School, LCC Comfort Dogs were invited to Santa Clarita, CA by Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where we had visited several times before, to comfort those affected by this tragedy.  Micah, Lois and I answered the call and we were joined by Ruthie, who came out from Lutheran Church Charities headquarters  to meet us.  In addition to spending time with students and staff, we also participated in a candlelight vigil to remember the victims.  In the days following the incident, we continued to offer comfort, meeting with the community at several local parks.  I am so grateful for the prayers and send-off by members of the church and St. John’s Lutheran School prior to my deployment.  

Last month Reuben and I joined the community of Paradise, CA as they commemorated the one-year anniversary of the terrible fires that swept through their town and surrounding communities.  God remains faithful and these people are resilient and strong.  Please pray for them as they continue to heal and rebuild.

When not deployed, I participated in several unique opportunities here at St. John’s.  In October, SJLS hosted a visit by Sgt. Ryan Guerra and the California Air National Guard Anti-Drug Task force team.  They arrived in their Pave Hawk helicopter, landing on St. John’s athletic field!  I have ridden in cars and been aboard a boat, but I have never seen a helicopter up close before.  I was fascinated to see it seemingly drop out of the sky when it landed and then disappear from view after take-off.  They did not take me up for a ride, but they did invite me in for a tour of the helicopter.  It was very cool!

Extraordinary Dogs was released last month, and I feel so humbled to have been included on the cover of this wonderful book.  My first book “signing” was a lot of fun!  Thank you to everyone for supporting the book and hanging out with me.

Praise God for how our lives are woven together.

I left the church office on what seemed like a routine Thursday visit to Camille Creek Court Schools when my handler’s cell phone rang.  It was my Top Dog saying she had a Napa police officer on the line and asked if we could pull over.  Now, I didn’t think that is how it works, but pull over we did.  His voice was familiar from earlier this week when I was at the police department comforting our awesome first responders and 911 dispatchers.  I was being asked to divert to the Juvenile Courthouse.  He had a very distraught young lady there who didn’t want to testify.

The officer asked if she would like him to see if I was available, like right now! Through her tears, she said, “Yes, that would be great! I know Aaron from my high school.”  Her mom also enthusiastically agreed, as she had seen me working with her patients at the post-acute hospital in Napa.  After a little detour to pick up our Ministry Partner, off we went to Juvenile Court.  

After passing through security, looking very stylish in my Valentine heart scarf, I worked my way onto the young lady’s lap. Her tears began to subside as she clung to me.  Soon, the officer joined us.  It was time to go inside the courtroom.  The judge said I could come too, right up to the witness stand, and they got a chair for my handler.  I didn’t even begin to understand all they were talking about, but I do know that when she had trouble speaking I was right there at her feet, and when she reached down and touched my soft golden fur, she was able to continue.   

Meanwhile, in the back of the courtroom, my Ministry Partner was sitting prayerfully with her mom.

I am so grateful to be God’s creation and stand on all four paws in awe of the work He does through me and my team.

Thanks for your support and prayers! 

It was a wonderful day at Christ Lutheran in Costa Mesa where I got to meet so many students.  My handler, who is a teacher did a wonderful job sharing with the children what the Comfort Dog Ministry is all about.  They were so excited to have me in their classrooms.  I was humbled to be able to travel to Southern California to meet them.

One of my favorite commands is “down.”  In this case it means, I am going to be surrounded by children.  Wow, I am so lucky to have this job.

This little boy was so sweet to include me during prayer time.
Stay tuned as I continue my work in Southern California.