Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog program landed in Newtown, Conn. less than 24 hours after a gunman killed his mother, 20 school children, 6 adults and himself. The program, which started in 2008 after a shooting at Northern Illinois University, is based in Addison, Ill. Since then, the program has expanded to six states. “The mission of the program is to give aid and comfort to those in need and proclaim the mercy and compassion of Jesus Christ,” says Richard Martin, director of ministry advancement for the LCC.

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