Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/therapy-dogs-help-grieving-uvalde/

On Tuesday, May 24, a mass shooting took place at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, which killed 19 children and two teachers. The residents of the small city are consumed by grief. People are saying prayers, holding vigils, and petting therapy dogs brought in to help during this difficult time.

Therapy dogs from several organizations arrived to provide much-needed support. They are visiting schools, hospitals, churches, and anywhere else they are needed. Dogs don’t ask questions but instead are there to listen without judgement. They offer comfort through cuddles and wagging tails.

Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) sent eight of their K-9 Comfort Dogs the day the shooting occurred after being contacted by a local church and city officials. The eight golden retrievers named Elijah, Miriam, Abner, Triton, Gabriel, Joy, Cubby, and Devorah were the first wave of therapy dogs to arrive. Five more golden K-9 Comfort Dogs have arrived and are already hard at work.

The nonprofit set up crosses for each of the victims in the town square and had the therapy dogs present to help ease the sorrow of the community members.

“Eight LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams stayed in the square to offer comfort to the community as they searched for the names of their loved ones. We listened to stories, prayed and cried together. Please continue to keep Uvalde, TX and our ministry in your prayers as we continue to be present for those who are suffering and in need here,” posted LCC K-9 Comfort Dog.

Crisis Response Canines sent six teams of handlers and therapy dogs -Tarik, Exon, Axel, Zodiac, Murphy and Macy- from around the country to Uvalde.

They wrote, “Family, friends, community, Robb Elementary School, hospital and First Responders remain the priority. Sadly services have commenced and these assignments are quite sad and emotional. Again, CRC will not break that sacred trust and disclose intimate personal and painful details. We simply ask that you pray that we are able to comfort those who mourn.”

A local nonprofit, Therapy Animals of San Antonio, deployed a team of therapy dogs to help the community. They shared photos of some of the dogs and handlers who arrived to help and said, “Our Crisis Animal Response Teams (CARE) were in Uvalde this week providing comfort to children, families and counselors affected by this terrible tragedy.”

Another animal-assisted therapy ministry, Canines 4 Christ, arrived to help with six teams and one team (Team Grayson) shared their experience on the ministry’s Facebook page.

They talked about how their dog, Grayson, allowed the children to open up and express their feelings and at the same time bring them joy.

“I want to share one of the stories with you. There were three girls who shared they were the girl’s cousin as they sat next to Grayson. As they pet Grayson, they began to process out loud. One spoke of how they all painted angels and gave it to their parents. Another shared how they lit a candle. The other spoke of the paintings too and the little girl’s name and shared what it meant. As they processed, their voices began to rise with more and more excitement. Through Grayson, they began to laugh and we offered for them to give him treats. They could not get enough of him.”

But Grayson also allowed the parents to grieve without “worrying how their emotions would affect their kids.” For the handlers it gave them a new perspective on the program they are involved in.

“I saw our program through a wider lens today. God has a plan for each of our dogs to serve in meaningful ways. All we humans have to do is be obedient and let our dogs guide us,” they wrote.

Several organizations also handed out stuffed animals to the children so they could have something to cuddle and hold at home. Therapy dogs are still available this week as funerals are held for the children and teachers.

Thank you to all the handlers and dogs who stepped up to help the grieving community of Uvalde.

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog