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The Touching Story of How ‘Comfort Dogs’ Were Sent to Newtown, Conn. to Console the Hurting

Dec. 17, 2012 4:58pm Liz Klimas

Although nothing can take away the pain that the families of victims in Newtown, Conn. have been experiencing for the last three days, a group has traveled 800 miles to at least try and offer comfort through cuddling.

Lutheran Church Charities Dogs Sent to Newtown to Comfort Families After Sandy Hook Shooting

(Image: Facebook)

A group of “K-9 Comfort Dogs” from the Lutheran Church Charities made their way from Chicago to Newtown over the weekend, according to the Chicago Tribune. It was in Newtown, Conn., that 26 people were shot and killed Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School, 20 of whom were children.

(Image: Facebook)

The Tribune reported the organization’s president, Tim Hetzner, saying that the dogs create “the atmosphere for people to share.” Lynn Buhrke who handles “Chewie,” a female golden retriever, seconded this sentiment.

“The dogs have become the bridge. People just sit down and talk to you,” Buhrke said, according to the Tribune.

(Image: Facebook)

Watch this ABC 7 report of the Comfort Dog’s trip to Newtown:

The LCC website stated that the dogs arrived in Connecticut Saturday, where they went to Christ the King church. The dogs also were at the Newtown High School for the event that President Barack Obama attended as well. You can see the dogs that went to comfort the grieving town here.

According to the Tribune, the Comfort Dogs program has 60 dogs in six different states that travel to comfort people in light of national tragedy, but also those in the hospital and nursing homes.

According to an article in National Geographic, research has found that dogs used such a way can help patients feel less lonely. A recent study has also shown that dogs might be able to sense when someone is in need of comfort.

Find more pictures from the Comfort Dogs initiative on their Facebook page here.

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Comments (45)

TheDM
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 6:50pm
I don’t care if someone’s a liberal, conservative, libertarian or even communist; there are times for political discourse and mud-slinging and this is definitely not one of those times. These people should be thanked for taking the time they do in order to do what they’ve done for people time and again, and nothing should be aimed at the people in this story except prayers and well-wishing.

There are a number of things animal companions can do extremely well, and one of those things is bring comfort to people. My little terrier mutt Max was pretty much my best friend growing up, and managed to help me through several relatives’ deaths and my own parent’s hideous divorce.

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smv803
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 6:28pm
Love the story.

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BostonHarold
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 4:18pm
“If they don’t allow dogs in heaven…when I die I want to go where they go.” Will Rogers

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ProudInfidel
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 2:15pm
Dogs RULE !

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bcope01
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 8:43am
Dog spelled backwards = god.

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stm62
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 1:30am
My mom was rather indifferent about dogs, but I had a Golden mix that she adored. He would rest his head and big paw on her lap just begging to be scratched behind the ear. I had him for 12 years. He never demonstrated a hint of aggression towards a human being nor towards another dog unless the dog provoked him. And, believe me, the name RETREIVER fits.

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R.A. Bullseye
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 11:42pm
Less people and more dogs in congress ( and the white-house ).

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- seriouslywhy
  Posted on December 18, 2012 at 2:47pm
  YAY! I agree – most dogs are smarter and more compassionate than leadership today!!
  
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Jenny Lind
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 10:11pm
My best comfort in my darkest days of loosing my hubby were four mini-schnausers, my fur buddies. They kept mme getting out of bed every morning, and functioning. Comfort dogs seems like a terrific idea to me, bless those who went so far to help at this awfull time.

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McgarnaglesLunch
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 9:30pm
Just a perfect idea.

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- john vincent
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 9:51pm
  mc-
  
  yes, and because it is non-controversial, and just a good public interest story, there will probably be little interest here, but thats fine with me
  
  Report this comment
glassaudioguy
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 9:23pm
When I was a kid I would have responded better to a cuddly little kitty.

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Gregory_Adams
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 9:15pm
We like the Pets

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scott4freedom
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 7:37pm
The comfort dogs are a big help in this terrible time of tragedy. Dogs really do sense when people are hurting.I have Three dogs and when someone is sick or down in our family all our dogs rally around that person.It’s really strange to watch but some how they just know. May the folks that handle the dogs be blessed by God, for thier sacrafice of time. May the dogs bring some comfort to some very hurting hearts. Thanks for the story!

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PurrrpleMtnMajesty
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 6:36pm
Can you believe that on Huckabees show, Geraldo referred to our prez as the Healer in Chief?

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- watashbuddyfriend
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 7:35pm
  @PurrrpleMtnMajesty
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 6:36pm
  
  “Can you believe that on Huckabees show, Geraldo referred to our prez as the Healer in Chief?”
  
  Yes, and I turned him off, each time he came into play! That included Geraldo, and Huckabee, who I had set to tape, but, immediately erased both when I saw….
  
  Report this comment
Larry E
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 6:35pm
A calm friendly dog is the best thing in the world for a hurting, confused child or adult. Anyone who doesn’t feel better is likely in need of some serious psychological help, or they’re allergic to dogs.

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PurrrpleMtnMajesty
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 6:33pm
Love this! Dogs are great. Wish people were more like them .

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Eastinfection
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 6:03pm
Love it!

Most of you will remember this clip from when YOU were 6yrs old…..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUFsqgohGeA

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- momrules
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 6:37pm
  I do remember this but I was probably watching Sesame Street with my 6 y/o daughter instead of being six myself.
  I can still sing Ladybug Picnic too………
  
  Report this comment
qpwillie
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:47pm
Anything that will give those poor people a bit of comfort is a good thing. Blessings to the people who were responsible for this act of kindness.

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skippy6
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:33pm
Dogs seem to give a peaceful feeling when they sense something is wrong.

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ResistSocialism
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:20pm
wonderful story. looks like a helpful activity

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- kickagrandma
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:42pm
  Maybe these GODfilled “comfort dogs” could serve as our government officials til we two legged folks get it right.
  
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TROLLMONGER
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:14pm
Some how the old right wing Beckbots will try and blame this tragedy on Obama and some sort of conspiracy theory. SICK!!!!

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- john vincent
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:22pm
  troll-
  
  please tell us how your comment has added to the quality of this story?
  
  Report this comment
- skippy6
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:31pm
  There is really something wrong with you!!!! Please admit yourself before you hurt yourself or someone else…..
  
  Report this comment
- qpwillie
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:34pm
  @TROLLMONGER
  You want to talk about “sick”, do you?
  
  Report this comment
- piper60
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:40pm
  Yet another idiotic comment by a left wing kool-aid guzzler.
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:45pm
  Monger needs to be heard, daily, hourly, by the story. These are the types of people we are expected to reach across the aisle to and come to some sort of detente with. Let him speak, it is refreshing, it sheds light on our education system and the morass that it has become. Really. Think on how you can come to grips and actually talk to the new lib/socialist/prog. Do you see yourself having a beer and agreeing on much at all? He and his mindset need to be seen and heard as much as possible.
  
  Report this comment
- Eastinfection
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:59pm
  TROLL is just jealous because most reports indicate that even Adam Lanza’s Mom gave a crap about her son.
  
  Report this comment
- westtitus
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 6:20pm
  What is wrong with you saying something political about this tragedy…get a grip on reality.
  
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- ChappellGirl5
  Posted on December 18, 2012 at 5:40pm
  And some atheist will start whining that this was a public school, so these Church dogs are against the separation of church & state.
  
  Report this comment
copatriots
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:11pm
Goldens are the sweetest, most gentle, loving dogs. Of course, that is the dog we have. ; )

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- momrules
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:28pm
  Hi Copatriots…..I’ve never owned a Golden Retriever but I was at the vet today with my ailing old mutt and a lady in the waiting room was saying the same thing. If these dogs can help these people then I think they should kick the press out of Newtown and bring in more dogs.
  
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- biohazard23
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:33pm
  Hey, CoPats! I say the same thing about our Shelties. Good dogs, both of them. I think these comfort dogs will be far more beneficial to those poor people than all of the vulture “reporters” swarming the town right now.
  
  Report this comment
- copatriots
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:36pm
  I’m sure your old mutt is a sweetie, MOM. Sorry to hear you had to take your baby to the vet today.
  
  Agreed……send more Goldens to Newtown! Maybe they’ll teach the press a thing or two…..
  
  Report this comment
- copatriots
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:40pm
  And HELLO to you also, BIO!
  
  It’s good to catch up here with familiar, like-minded folks! Well….except the trolls of course. ; )
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:43pm
  Have to agree with you COPATRIOTS. We’ve had several Golden Retrievers since my now adult son was 3. Casey, our last full blooded Golden passed away at 11 about 3 years ago. We really do miss him. My wife ‘adopted’ a Golden mix from a shelter a couple of years ago, and she is a real hoot. She gets so excited about even meeting new people that she would likely “love” somebody to death, LOL. At other times, she is very protective when it comes to unknown people when we don’t interact with them. Or, she maintains an observation of them. We would not know what to do without her right now.
  Evening BIOHAZARD, Shelties are great dogs too.
  
  Report this comment
- Eastinfection
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 6:06pm
  Hi Mom…
  
  I grew up in Newtown.
  The whole town is a dog park.
  I think it’s actually Dog Heaven :)
  
  Report this comment
- momrules
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 6:26pm
  Hi there East…….I read that you were from Newtown. This must have been hard for you. Dogs are wonderful companions, friends and healers aren’t they?
  
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- Eastinfection
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 6:44pm
  Still is MOM…
  
  & yes, Dogs are. Haven’t let go of mine in days :)……. :(
  
  Report this comment
- NOTMOHAMMED
  Posted on December 18, 2012 at 5:14am
  Not only yours, Copats. I had the great pleasure of having two of them in my life for not long enough now, it seems. They aim to love and please you, and actually get hurt if you have to scold them. Golden Retrievers Rule!!!!!
  
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john vincent
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:02pm
‘There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother…’

Too bad some brothers do not behave as well as a good dog.
Good story

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- whatthecrazy
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 6:02pm
  You are 100% correct.
  
  Report this comment

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