Funeral services have begun in Newton, Connecticut. The whole world is watching a town completely destroyed emotionally. One church is hoping to help out, they sent a team of experts in to try and cheer people up. This team consists of 10 golden retrievers. These pups have journeyed from Chicago to Newtown, Connecticut, in the hopes of bringing some comfort to the grief-stricken community.

Lutheran Church Charities picked up the bill for the dogs to be brought by handler Tim Hetzner to the devastated town. The reason the pups are heading to the town are so people can pet them while they talked, pray and grieve.

These pups are part of the K-9 Comfort Dogs. They interact with people at churches, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, events and in disaster situations. Each dog has a card with its name, Facebook page, and email so you can keep in touch.

"Dogs are nonjudgmental. They are loving. They are accepting of anyone," Hetzner said. "It creates the atmosphere for people to share."

 

The comfort-dog initiative started back in 2008 at Northern Illinois University after a gunman killed five students. The initiative has grown from a handful of dogs in the Chicago area to 60 dogs in six states. These are trained Comfort Dogs for Lutheran Church Charities. You can read more by Clicking Here.

There mission is simple:

A dog is a friend who brings a calming influence, allowing people to open up their hearts and receive help for what is affecting them.

 

Celebrity Of The Day 

Hopefully these dogs can help lift some spirits. Let's honor them today.

 

 

 

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