Comfort Dog Ministry

Elijah

Elijah became a part of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church on August 26, 2017.  He was born on March 26, 2016 and was trained at Lutheran Church Charities. He had over 2500 hours of training before joining ORLC. Elijah has a team of 13 handlers along with a team of ministry helpers all trained by Lutheran Church Charities in Northbrook, Illinois.  His handlers include a military veteran and a police veteran.

Elijah is triple vested meaning he is trained for the police ministry, military ministry, and regular ministry.  Elijah visits with people at churches, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, events, and in disaster response situations. He is a friend who brings a calming influence, allowing people to open up their hearts and receive help for what is affecting them. Elijah was deployed to Houston after Hurricane Harvey and to Sutherland Springs, Santa Fe High School, El Paso, and Midland Odessa in response to mass shootings.  He visits victims, families of victims, and first responders.  He has also visited a local high school after a student suicide, a local elementary school after the death of a student’s parent, and Sheppard Air Force base suicide prevention programs.  He makes regular visits to Hospice of Wichita Falls, The Gables, The Rock at Sheppard Air Force base, United Regional hospital, and various senior homes and rehab hospitals in Wichita Falls, Burkburnett, and Vernon. Elijah also frequents kidney dialysis facilities, Wichita Falls Police Department and is the only dog allowed in Wichita Falls ISD schools.

Elijah’s Bible verse is Luke 1:16-17: “Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God, And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteousness – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

To request a visit from Elijah, contact him on his Facebook page, call the church at 940-692-3690, or contact JoAnn Kurtz.

Elijah Mugs!
A limited number of Elijah coffee mugs are available, so get yours today! The cost is $10, and proceeds support this great ministry. You can get them today by contacting the church office at 940-692-3690.

Update: Elijah’s Easter Hams Fundraiser!
     ORLC’s Comfort Dog ministry was selling smoked hams for Easter. In light of the issues with the Coronavirus we have chosen not to do a fundraiser at this time. You may see JoAnn Kurtz for a refund for those who have already paid.