A group of ‘comfort dogs’ were sent out on a healing mission to Orlando, Florida, United States (US), to provide hope, encouragement, and relief to the Orlando residents and victims of the grisly firing rampage at Pulse gay bar, which ceased the lives of 49 and injured 53 on Sunday morning.
The Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) Comfort Dogs were never absent in their sanguine missions. They have assuaged a remarkable number of victims in controversial US crimes, such as the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012 and the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, according to American online news site ABC News.
A total of 12 dogs and 20 volunteers sauntered the streets of Orlando on Monday where they have spent the whole day providing warmth and comfort to residents.
Tim Hetzner, president of the LCC Comfort Dogs organization, mentioned to ABC News, “They help people relax and calm down. Your blood pressure goes down when you pet a dog, you feel more comfortable, and people end up talking. They’re good listeners, they’re non-judgmental, they’re confidential.”
The canines are sent to hospitals, homes, and centers to aid the gloomy victims and their relatives.
LCC is based in Illinois, and the comfort dog program begun in August 2008 with four dogs. Today, the furry phalanx comprises of more than 100 dogs assigned in 23 US states. Each comfort dog is trained by the organizations’ volunteers, and as part of their buoyant duty, the canines have their own Facebook and e-mail accounts.
Comfort missions are entirely fostered by donations. Gianna Francesca Catolico
#comfortingorlando#Orlando #OrlandoShooting #Florida #Chicago #nonprofit #dogs #dogsoftwitter #love #k9comfortdogs pic.twitter.com/7G55tIVUZm
— LCC K9 Comfort Dogs (@K9ComfortDogs) June 14, 2016
The @LCCharities @K9ComfortDogs in #orlando at a local venue to comfort friends of the victims #OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/jmQWnUNL3R
— LCC K9 Comfort Dogs (@K9ComfortDogs) June 14, 2016