COLUMBUS, Ohio — Lutheran Church Charities has K-9 therapy dogs who will do just about anything to make the world a little better for each person they work with.
And now they've figured out how they can help people all around the world during the coronavirus pandemic.
- Lutheran Church Charities has more than 100 dogs in 26 states
- You can request a virtual K-9 therapy visit with any one of them
- They are even helping people all around the world, including military members overseas and first responders
Jonah and Ezera are comfort dogs. And their job is just to let people know someone cares and they will listen.
While these working therapy dogs can't physically go and comfort people right now due to social distancing, they're doing whatever it takes to help during this global crisis —from visiting nursing homes and saying “Hi” through the window, to sending powerful messages of love. And they are now taking their meetings online.
“Part of the healing process is to talk about what you’ve gone through and the dogs help with that,” said Tim Hetzner, president and CEO of Lutheran Church Charities.
Lutheran Church Charities has more than 100 dogs in 26 states. Now you can request a virtual k9 therapy visit with any one of them.
These furry support systems are even helping people all around the world, including military members overseas and first responders — day or night.
They want to talk to the dogs because they’re good listeners, they’re confidential, they don’t take notes and they show unconditional love," said Hetzner.
The four-legged therapists are no strangers to helping in times of crisis — including mass shootings.
Nancy was one of eight handlers who responded to last year's shooting in Dayton.
"It is tragic what we see, but in a way, it's also rewarding, if that makes any sense, that we are able to give these people just a little bit of time to tell how they're feeling, to start the healing process, and like Tim said, to pray with them. That, so often, is what they need more than anything," said Nancy Borders, Top Dog for Trinity Lutheran Church.
“They like this and they can still get out and help people,” said Hetzner.
As Mr. Rogers said, when he was a boy and saw scary things on the news, his mother told him "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."
The virtual K-9 visits are completely free and you can sign up for as many as you need. Just visit their website.