Following a devastating mass shooting on August 27, 2023, at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, the community found solace in an unexpected source: comfort dogs. Six golden retrievers provided emotional support to grieving families, offering a calming presence amidst the heartbreak.
On August 29, Kristen Winn observed her daughter, Emily, a student at Annunciation School, sitting on the curb with Gideon, a 10-year-old English cream retriever. “I just really appreciate that they’re here. This really helps,” Winn expressed, tears in her eyes. Many community members, still reeling from the tragedy that claimed the lives of two children and injured 18 others, found comfort in the dogs’ affectionate company.
Megan Lennon, a local resident who visited the site with her daughter, echoed similar sentiments. “It’s overwhelming, walking up here,” she said, visibly emotional. The presence of Gideon and another retriever named Mary, who traveled from Janesville, Wisconsin, provided a “really calming distraction” amid their grief.
Comfort Dogs in Crisis Response
The comfort dogs belong to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry, based near Chicago. This organization has over 130 dog teams across the United States, responding to communities affected by tragedies ranging from the Uvalde, Texas shooting to recent wildfires in California. Gideon and his handlers are the only team based in Minnesota, stationed at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Bloomington.
Pam Lienemann, one of Gideon’s handlers, explained how interaction with the dogs fosters healing: “What we’ve found over the years is that as the people pet the dogs, they start to talk and they start to relax.” She highlighted that Gideon visits various senior living communities and educational institutions but prioritizes community needs during crises.
When news of the shooting broke, Lutheran Church Charities promptly deployed five additional dog teams to Minneapolis, ensuring they arrived in time for a vigil at the Academy of Holy Angels. “Once the invitation comes in, our promise is that we will have boots and paws on the ground within 24 hours,” Lienemann said, noting that they exceeded their standard response time by arriving within just 12 hours.
The Healing Power of Connection
Chris Singer, President of Lutheran Church Charities, remarked on the dogs’ ability to restore a sense of safety and emotional release. “I’ve watched time and time again a child who sits down next to a dog, maybe has never said a word about what they’re feeling,” Singer stated. “But they begin spending time with the dog, and pretty soon they start sharing some of those feelings.”
Handlers Joann and Tim Schwan brought Hagar, a six-year-old retriever, from her home base at Faith Lutheran Church in Appleton, Wisconsin. They emphasized the extensive training comfort dogs undergo, with each receiving around 2,000 hours of preparation to remain calm and supportive in times of distress. “They feel how soft she is and how loving, and she looks so soulfully in their eyes that they can tell her anything,” Joann Schwan noted.
The presence of these comfort dogs has become a beacon of hope for those navigating their grief in the aftermath of a tragedy that has profoundly impacted the Minneapolis community. The collective effort of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry exemplifies how compassion and companionship can help heal wounds that words alone cannot address.