Today we’d like to introduce you to Job Comfort Dog
Hi Job, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Job Comfort Dog, a nine-year-old Golden Retriever, came to Christ the King Lutheran Church in October 0f 2016. At 16 months old, he had already had over 2,000 hours of training by the staff at Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) outside of Chicago. Job is one of approximately 130 LCC K9 Comfort Dogs in the United States. LCC Comfort Dogs are trained to provide a calm, comforting presence to those who are hurting due to tragic situations such as school shootings, weather-related crises, or personal circumstances.
Job and his nine trained handlers and four ministry partners regularly visit nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, schools, and libraries throughout the Mid-South, spreading compassion through twinkling eyes and a furry tail. He has an uncanny way of knowing exactly who in the room is hurting and in need of comfort, and immediately makes his way to that person, tail wagging. He makes an average of 35 visits per month, not including attending Sunday services at CTK where he has his own pew in the back of the sanctuary.
Job and other LCC K9 Comfort Dogs from across the country are called on to gather at scenes in times of crisis, such as the school shootings in Uvalde, TX (Robb Elementary, 2022), Nashville, TN (Covenant, 2023), and Winder, Georgia (Apalachee High, 2024). As studies have shown, the act of simply petting a dog can reduce stress and anxiety, lower one’s blood pressure and produce “feel-good” hormones that improve one’s mood. In addition, Job’s presence, especially with children affected by trauma, can help victims open up and share their experiences which aids in the healing process.
Job Comfort Dog wears a vest when working, just as service dogs do; however, his vest says “Please Pet Me,” indicating that he is available to everyone for comfort and kindness. When the vest comes off, he is a regular dog, running zoomies and chasing his favorite yellow tennis ball. Both at Christ the King Lutheran Church and School and in the community at large, he’s a rock star who brings calm and snuggles in times of need.
Job and his handlers only go where they are invited and there is never a charge. His mission is to be the bridge between those hurting and the love of Jesus Christ. If you would like more information on Job Comfort Dog and his ministry, please contact his “Top Dog” Genie Swan at gswan@ctkmemphis.com.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As Job’s Top Dog, I found that when I first floated the idea of our church’s acquiring one of the LCC K9 Comfort Dogs, some church leaders were quite skeptical that a dog would make a difference and voiced a concern that a “dog in church” might not be appropriate. But their doubts were soon dispelled as Job’s outreach into the community has proven to be remarkably effective and reflective of the love of Christ.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In his extensive training, Job Comfort Dog learned at least 40 different commands. Rather than doing tricks like roll over or play dead, he was taught commands such as a “Rise” on a hospital bed so that the patient could reach him for a hug. He was taught to do a “Lap” where he gently places his legs on a wheelchair-bound person’s lap so that he or she can pet him up close and look into his beautiful eyes. These commands and others like them enable him to do his job of comforting in a calm and non-threatening way. Job was taught not to bark, lick, or jump up, anything that might frighten a small child or an elderly person. All nine of his handlers went through extensive training as well, for Job responds best to a confident hand.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Job Comfort Dog is a Golden Retriever and, as such, is very empathetic to those who are hurting. He is extremely intelligent and well-known for his gentleness and calm.
Pricing:
- *There is never any charge for a visit from Job Comfort Dog.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ctkmemphis.com/connect/job-comfort-dog
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lcck9job
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JobComfortDog
