Comfort Dog Ministry

Messiah Lutheran Church in Plano, Texas is an Affiliate in the K9 Comfort Dog Ministry of Lutheran Church Charities (LCC). The K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry, launched in August 2008, is a national human-care ministry that embraces the unique, calming nature and skills of purebred Golden Retrievers to interact with people of all ages and circumstances who are suffering and in need. Comfort Dogs serve every day in their community and are also deployed in times of disaster and crisis to bring comfort to all those affected, including first responders and the volunteers who serve them. They serve as a bridge for ministry and outreach. Comfort Dogs calm people, demonstrating unconditional love and are taught to be passive and gentle when working with people which makes them an effective comforter because they help people to feel safe. Their simple presence is calming and healing and encourages people to talk about their distress and begin the healing process.

Triton is an AKC Certified purebred Golden Retriever and has a minimum of 2,000 hours of training and over 30 commands. He has passed the AKC Good Citizenship Test, and is certified by Lutheran Church Charities.  Triton was officially received at Messiah on August 26, 2018.  As our Comfort Dog, he assists us in various caring and outreach ministries working daily to share the care and compassion in schools, senior centers/nursing homes, veteran/military organizations and events, community organizations, and charities just to name a few. He will also deploy in crisis or disaster situations when requested.