LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Amos
Amos is a pure bred Golden Retriever. He was the first Comfort Dog in Virginia and is hoping to serve people all over the DC Metropolitan area.
Amos has received over 2000 hours of training and is no ordinary dog. He is able to visit people in long-term care facilities, memory care facilities, hospice care, hospitals, schools, offices and in the community. Furthermore, Amos' team includes a retired police officer and a veteran, who provides ministry opportunities with first responders.
If you're interested in having an Amos visit, please email
For more information and a greater look into Amos' training, the training of Amos' team and the scope of his work check out Capital Comfort.
Amos' ministry is based solely on donations. Please consider donating (specify "Comfort Dog" in the memo field). Would you rather purchase something for Amos? Check out his Wish List.
Join us! Are you called to comfort? We welcome you to talk to any team member or reach out to us at
Team Amos Updates
April 2024
April 24, 2024 - Baltimore, Maryland
On Tuesday, Amos was in Baltimore to join Kezia Comfort Dog for a prayer service for the victims, families, first responders, and all who were affected by the Key Bridge disaster. Pastor Miguel Torniere led a beautiful service in Spanish and English. He reminded us of the power of prayer in our lives and how our Father wants to communicate with us.
As we prayed for the loss of the six men, we were reminded that, even in the darkness, Christ is with us. Afterward, we signed Hearts of Mercy and Compassion, which will be delivered to the families of the victims. The hearts on the crosses are a tangible sign that others are praying for them and that God is with them. We ask God to be with loved ones, friends, and all who mourn this disaster.
April 17, 2024 - King of Glory, Williamsburg, Virginia
Amos and his handlers traveled to King of Glory in Williamsburg, Virginia, this past weekend to work alongside Solomon Comfort Dog, bringing comfort and love to the attendees at this year's Southeastern District, LCMS Middle School Youth Retreat. We look forward to seeing the middle schoolers each year and make sure that we have plenty of time for hugs and sharing Jesus's love. Their energy and joy at being raised in Christ (this year's retreat theme) is awesome! When the students left for their offsite activity, Teams Amos and Solomon went out into the community to share Jesus's love. The weather was beautiful in Colonial Williamsburg, and God sent many people to feel Jesus's loving presence through us.
April 10, 2024 - Our Savior's Way
On Sunday, we wished Pastor Tyson safe travels and God's blessings as he follows God's direction to a new church and congregation. We are comforted to know that this is God's call, and as faithful servants, we will find blessings in this change, too.
Pastor Tyson was one of the first members of Our Savior's Way to meet Amos Comfort Dog when we traveled to Northbrook, Illinois in September 2018 to bring Amos and the Comfort Dog Ministry to our church. We have since shared many memories and experiences that will remain in our hearts.
We are blessed by our time with Pastor Tyson. Even in saying our goodbyes we are assured that God goes before us, and we are thankful for His faithfulness in our lives.
April 3, 2024 - Off Time for Play
When you read the weekly updates on everything Team Amos does, Amos may seem very busy. However, we ensure he has plenty of downtime when he is not working. And when he completes any work, he receives a reward.
The reward is a special time between the handler and Amos, during which they will either play together or Amos will receive a massage. This reward helps to build the bond between the handler and Amos as they entrust God to fulfill His Will among the people and lift the weight of their visits off their shoulders as they share love and appreciation for each other.
March 2024
A typical visit with Amos looks and feels like a hug. When we go out, the Holy Spirit works with us to serve God's people, so that they may feel his sweet and loving embrace through us.
Our ministry needs more volunteers. There are many ways our ministry can incorporate the gifts and talents of our congregation to serve the community and our greatest need is for volunteers who can serve as Ministry Partners.
Ministry Partners Description
- Are the Hands and Feet of Jesus to those who are in need
- Goes out with the Handler and Amos
- Does not handle the dog
- Interacts with others, listen, and pray with them while we share Jesus’s love
- Serves flexible hours (typically 1-3 hours for a visit)
- Are especially needed for weekdays/school hours
Let us answer any questions you have about joining Team Amos! Talk to a team member or email
March 13, 2024 - River Bend Middle School
On Friday, we received a call from the LCPS district mental health team to support River Bend Middle School in Sterling, VA, as they grieve the unexpected loss of a beloved 8th-grade math teacher, Monica Ashworth, who was 27 years old. Monica suffered a medical emergency just two weeks after giving birth to her first baby.
Ministry volunteers from team Amos, Kezia (Emmanuel, Baltimore), and Solomon (King of Glory, Williamsburg) rearranged their schedules to be present for the hurting and confused staff and students as they returned to school on Monday morning.
The dogs provided a bridge to connection and healing. As we sat with more than 400 students and staff, we felt God's loving presence that enabled us to care for one another. Several students looked at us and said, "Thank you for coming here." These young teens truly felt seen, loved, and supported.
March 6, 2024 - Bull Run Elementary School
Twice a month, we visit students and staff at Bull Run Elementary in Fairfax County. Whether it's the name "Amos" we hear called from a classroom, a smiling face that approaches, or a stairway full of passing students who come to a halt to pet him, it is clear that Amos's presence is felt schoolwide.
Before leaving we always linger to talk to the office staff and, this time, one of them shared that she recently lost her father who lived in Ashburn. She said he had been at Ashby Ponds but had transferred to Maple Grove for his last days. We told her that Amos has weekly visits to Maple Grove on the floor where her father was, and we saw her begin to tear up with joy. We don’t know if Amos was ever able to visit her father while he was there, but just the thought of that possibility was a visible comfort to her, and she was overcome with emotion and the idea that we were there comforting people like her father meant the world to her. In this experience, God reminds us that every time we go out as His hands and feet, we are sharing Jesus's love more than we may ever realize.
February 2024
February 28, 2024 - Serving Loudoun County Public Schools
The Amos, Kezia, and Solomon Comfort Dog teams served Loudoun County Public Schools for three days last week following the Sterling community tragedy. The affected schools invited us to provide support to students and staff who were experiencing shock, fear, and loss.
The presence of the comfort dogs created a safe environment for reassurance and comfort. We see people as God sees them, and by putting them first and leaning into His purpose for our lives, we hope to help others come to know Jesus as well.
Team Amos welcomes compassionate individuals who wish to answer the call to serve their community. Join us as we share the mercy, compassion, and presence of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. Speak to any team member to learn more or reach out to us at
February 21, 2024 - Prayer for our community in hurt
We are hurting over the news of Friday's home explosion in our community. Our hearts are broken for Trevor Brown's family, his wife, and three young children, who are in our prayers, along with the four injured first responders who have a long road of recovery ahead. We pray for God to give His strength and healing to those who are hurting and to all the heroes who volunteer to keep us safe.
Amos's friends at Meadowlands Elementary live and work in the neighborhood of the explosion, and they are close to our hearts. We were there on Tuesday to comfort them as they returned from the long weekend, joined by Kezia Comfort Dog (Emmanuel, Baltimore) and Solomon Comfort Dog (King of Glory, Williamsburg) to help share love and hope. We also visited the elementary school of the three children who lost their brave father and the middle school where one of the injured firefighters is a teacher. We will go wherever God calls us to be to show Jesus's love in action.
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
February 14, 2024 - Happy Valentine's Day
Today, as we celebrate Valentine's Day and mark the beginning of Lent, let us remember the great love we have received in Jesus, and how we can easily share this love with others. Through our compassion and love, we show our neighbors who Jesus is and that He is present in their lives just as He is present in ours.
Happy Valentine's Day from Team Amos!
January 2024
January 31, 2024 - Hola Amos at Meadowlands Elementary
Did you know that Amos can "speak" Spanish? The second graders at Meadowlands Elementary School were excited when Amos arrived with Maria, a Spanish-speaking handler, for their visit last week.
Maria was able to help Amos connect with students in their home language. We saw extra smiles as students felt more confident in their conversations and connections with each other. Soon everyone in the class was saying "Hola Amos!" and talking about how cool it is that Amos understands them.
God prepares us to be able to share His love in many ways!
January 24, 2024 - Blood Drive
Amos loves being invited to new events like the Blood Drive last Saturday at the church. The cold temperature didn't stop volunteers from coming out to donate blood, and Amos was happy to help warm hands and hearts with his comfort.
We never know who we will meet when we go out with Amos, but we know that showing up is what God needs us to do for His people.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
January 17, 2024 - Maple Grove at Ashby Ponds
Amos was able to visit the second and third floors of Maple Grove at Ashby Ponds and visit these friends for the first time since before the holidays. Mr. C. is working on a paper outlining his alternative view of the Big Bang. Ms. B. had completed her crochet project and shared memories of her father working for the Coast Guard in Sweden. Another friend, who is "not a dog person," invites us in to meet their family and join their conversation. We learn that the young college student wants to study animal behavior and is very interested in what we do as volunteers with Amos.
As we move through the halls, sharing fellowship with those who invite us to visit, the work of the Holy Spirit is with us. We see smiles and faces light up, or we hear "I missed you" and "Come back soon," and we know that they have felt God's love. When we take time for God and others, people see Christ in us.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing, even as He has chosen us in Him." Ephesians 1:3-4
January 10, 2024 - National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
In recognition of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, we say thank you to all the officers who are keeping us safe. In gratitude, we recognize the sacrifice and service of brave individuals who dedicated themselves to serving and protecting our communities. We ask our Heavenly Father to comfort and protect them and their families.
While we answer any call to serve the law enforcement community, Team Amos has a need for current or former members of the law enforcement community to serve as part of the LCC K-9 Police Ministry. As law enforcement officers, these members of the team understand the unique challenges facing the law enforcement community and can relate to them and their families as peers. In addition to responding to a crisis when invited, the LCC K-9 Police Ministry provides ongoing support through visits to headquarters and dispatch centers, participation in department missions, comforting crime victims, as well as providing general support as requested for personnel and families.
If you are called to serve on the Amos Comfort Dog ministry, please talk to any team member or email us at
January 3, 2024 - Happy New Year
As we begin a new year of service, we reflect on the blessings we've received and want to thank you for your support. Your donations, prayers, and hugs truly lift us! Our prayer for you is that you feel God shine His light through you each day in the year ahead!
If your New Year's resolution includes serving on the comfort dog ministry, please talk to any team member to learn more or email us at
December 2023
December 27, 2023 - Amos' Birthday
Amos turned seven years old on December 20th and has recently begun his sixth year of comfort dog ministry at Our Savior's Way! We thank God for his health, his perfect calm, and his loving presence. We are blessed to be part of this ministry of service and for each day that we are able to go out into the community to share mercy and compassion with everyone we meet.
On Team Amos we answer God's call to share the love of Jesus daily. Whether we are with Amos or not, we respond to those God places in our path with love and compassion, knowing that we are all suffering and in need. We see people and their needs, and the Holy Spirit fills us with action. We see God in action through us. How amazing!
We trust in His plan for us now and in the New Year. We pray for new beginnings, love, and comfort. Happy New Year to you!
If your New Year's resolution includes serving on the comfort dog ministry, please talk to any team member to learn more or email us at
December 20, 2023 - Merry Christmas
We pray everyone will have a wonderful Christmas and rejoice in the many gifts God has given you!
December 13, 2023 - Fantasy Flight
On Saturday, December 9th, the LCC Comfort Dogs travelled to Newark Liberty International Airport to join Fantasy Flight. This is an event organized by United Airlines for children with serious illnesses to experience the joy of flying to the North Pole.
The LCC K-9s, including Abraham and Beloved (Trinity - Hicksville, New York), Amos (Our Savior’s Way - Ashburn, Virginia), and Kezia (Emmanuel – Baltimore, Maryland), and their teams were present to help make holiday wishes come true for more than 75 children and their families as they arrived at the North Pole for a day of cheer. They were greeted by Santa and Mrs. Claus, princesses, elves, a cast of other characters, and the comfort dogs.
The children and their families were beaming with bright smiles that reflected the love the comfort dog teams provided. Each child received a stuffed comfort dog to remember this special moment. While petting the dogs, a father shared how happy he was to see his child so delighted after facing many troubling days. Another family was moved by the calmness of the comfort dogs, who were able to reach up to their child’s wheelchair so that the child could pet and feel the soft fur. The family had not been able to have this kind of experience since leaving their country and their pet four years ago.
After a day of celebration and fun, all the volunteers paraded behind the band through the entire terminal, where travelers and staff stopped to watch, record videos, and clap and wave. This simple act shared the message of joy, hope, and love with so many.
December 6, 2023 - Join us at Wreaths Across America
Team Amos is looking forward to participating in Wreaths Across America. Every year, we lay wreaths at a local cemetery to remember fallen veterans, honor those who serve, and teach children the value of freedom.
We invite you to join us at this year's ceremony on Saturday, December 16th, at Leesburg Union Cemetery (click for map) at 12:00 pm. Dress for the weather and bring your family and friends! All volunteers are welcome to join us!
November 2023
November 29, 2023 - Thanksgiving with Friends
During Thanksgiving week, we made sure to keep as many of our regular visits as possible because we know that spending quality time together is the best way to show people that they are loved. Our friends in school and Maple Grove at Ashby Ponds were excited to share their Thanksgiving plans and talk about turkey dinner or football as we made them our priority.
God calls on us to keep showing up, even on holidays. By being present, we become his instruments in sharing His enduring love with His people whom He looks after. We are so thankful for this opportunity.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34
November 22, 2023 - International Suvivors of Suicide Loss Day
On Saturday, Amos participated once again in the annual International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day event to help bring love and comfort to those who have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide. Together, participants discovered a sense of connection, understanding, and support. This is especially valuable as the holiday season and the heightened emotions the holidays can bring approach.
We thank God for His blessings on our ministry as we share His love with those who are hurting and in need.
November 15, 2023 - Veterans Day
Team Amos attended the Veterans Day assembly at Mill Run Elementary School to honor our nation's heroes of past and present. Our hearts were moved to hear students sharing what "veteran" meant for them. It was a great time of honoring and remembering all the sacrifices they made for us, and we are so thankful for their service to our country.
November 8, 2023 - Sharing Christ at Local Schools
Team Amos is blessed to be serving again this year in the local schools in both Fairfax and Loudoun County Public Schools. We are grateful to have added a fifth school visit to our schedule, and now have weekly visits at Open Arms CCDC, Bull Run, Legacy, Mill Run, and Meadowland Elementary Schools.
Each day as Jesus's ambassadors we witness that our visits build lasting bonds with staff and students. Amos' presence in the classroom creates a comfortable setting that encourages interactions and sharing. His positive vibes rub off on students and help them improve their behavior. Amos is also a great source of calm and stress relief for the staff who appreciate the chance for a snuggle and a smile to boost their day.
With God’s help, students and educators see Christ in us, and we can show them who He is.
November 1, 2023 - Confirmation Sunday
This past Sunday was Reformation Sunday, and we are reminded to be more loving to others because God's grace and mercy were given to us in Jesus Christ.
It was also confirmation Sunday for students who have completed their confirmation instruction. We shared joy together with the confirmands for this important day in their lives.
October 2023
October 25, 2023 - Maple Grove in the Ashby Ponds
When we visit our friends at Maple Grove in the Ashby Ponds community each week, we enjoy quality time catching up and connecting. Sometimes, we are honored to see visiting family members who enjoy the special treat of meeting and petting Amos.
We listen to the special memories that are shared with us and delight in the smiles and joy from the quiet time spent petting and snuggling Amos. Our friends like to share how much they look forward to visits with Amos and tell us to hurry back to see them. We help to remind them of how they are truly loved.
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35
October 18, 2023 - Oktoberfest in Springfield, VA
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Springfield, VA invited the LCC Comfort Dogs to attend their Oktoberfest neighborhood block party last Saturday. Amos and Kezia comfort dogs answered the call and joined the community for an afternoon of fellowship.
The rain did not dampen the festivities outside nor our ability to meet people as they all managed to find us offering snuggly, fluffy hugs while we stayed dry inside. We had the most amazing day meeting new friends, talking about our ministry, and sharing Jesus’s love with those who came out.
October 11, 2023 - Stars and Stripes Honor Flights
On Saturday morning, members from the OSW congregation joined Team Amos to welcome three planes arriving at Dulles International Airport on Stars and Stripes Honor Flights from Wisconsin. As always, the veterans do not know there will be a welcome waiting for them when they arrive to visit their memorials in DC. This surprise makes for an emotional arrival, as we provide the love and appreciation that our nation's heroes truly deserve.
We offered hugs, handshakes, smiles, and cheers to each of the 221 WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans. As we thanked them for their service or connected in a veteran-to-veteran moment, the veterans and their guardians experienced God's love through our presence. Together as a church family, we were doing more than serving others; we were loving them.
"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people" Ephesians 6:7
