In the wake of the deadly shooting in Parkland, Florida, volunteers for Lutheran Church Charities deployed comfort dogs to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, according to USA Today.
Nineteen LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs (all golden retrievers) and 37 handlers greeted students this past Thursday at the request of school counselors and administrators. The trained therapy dogs were brought in to provide some relief to survivors of the shooting.
Bringing some smiles and comfort to #Parkland #Florida
We never charge those we serve but rely on donations to deploy. To give to our travel expense fund, please visit https://t.co/gKT35uBANX#dogsoftwitter #k9comfortdogs pic.twitter.com/4R5PEbE7ay
— LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs (@K9ComfortDogs) February 18, 2018
One handler and volunteer, Mike Flaherty, introduced students to his golden retriever, Jacob.
“We found that kids do better petting a dog than they do talking to a counselor,” Flaherty told USA Today. “It calms people down.”
This is Jacob, he’s a “comfort dog” whose been to Las Vegas, Orlando and now Parkland to comfort victims of mass shootings. 8-10 other golden retriever comfort dogs are on the way, per Mike Flaherty of Lutheran Church Charities. Jacob’s harness says “Please pet me.” pic.twitter.com/HGoJRKoPNi
— Lucas Daprile (@LucasDaprile) February 15, 2018
The dogs are all too familiar with shootings and other tragedies. Jacob and his canine companions aided victims of the Las Vegas shooting that took 58 lives this past October. The dogs also made an appearance at the first anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in 2015.
Tim Hetzner, president of the LCC, oversaw the dogs’ trip to Las Vegas.
“A key part of healing in any crisis or disaster is to be able to talk about [the trauma], and people find it easier to do that with dogs” Hetzner told The Today Show.
On campus, the group Pet Partners offers canine therapy during midterms and finals. The organization deploys emotional support animals to Fondren Library and other popular study spots on campus to comfort stressed students. Research shows that these comfort dogs have the ability to lower anxiety and blood pressure according to Time.
Paws & take a break! Reduce your stress with the #GoodDogs of @Pet_Partners in Fondren Library, 6-8pm. https://t.co/ayC42aaLzq pic.twitter.com/gUOdzWXEzs
— SMU (@SMU) May 9, 2017
Although many give their thoughts and prayers during troubled times, these canines take action and provide a real opportunity for victims to heal. These dogs support people in need and put people at ease with the wag of a tail.
