LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Amos
Amos is a five year old 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, which provides ministry opportunities with first responders.
If you're interested in having an Amos visit, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and his team.
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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more about how you can serve in this ministry.
Team Amos Updates
September
September 14, 2022 - New School Year
Amos enjoyed welcoming and worshipping with you this past Sunday and was especially excited for the start of Sunday School and Confirmation classes. Amos will be returning to visit the 7th & 8th grade Sunday school classes again this year.
Recently one of our handlers met a new couple who shared that it was their first time worshipping with us and that they came to OSW because they saw Amos on social media and wanted to be part of a church that has a Comfort Dog ministry. We are thankful for all the ways God brings people to us!
It is a blessing to welcome families and worship together. See you next week!
September 7, 2022 - Back to School
A new school year has arrived! We are planning for the return of Amos's school visits and are excited to soon spend time with students and educators in the classrooms. While we don't yet know what this new year has in store, we know that our Heavenly Father leads us in the way we should go. We pray that the beginning of this new school year is filled with fruits of the spirit. Lord, help us to love unconditionally, be kind to others and walk in Your goodness.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23
August
August 31, 2022 - Brushy Creek Honor Flight
Team Amos had an awesome Saturday morning greeting veterans on the Brushy Creek Honor Flight arriving from Fort Dodge, Iowa! Kezia Comfort Dog joined us from Baltimore to help welcome veterans to our nation’s capital where they will visit their war memorials. It was an honor to help to show them how grateful we are for their service and sacrifice to our country. God Bless America! ❤️???
August 24, 2022 - Summer Days
The summer schedule for Amos included weekend visits to Blue Ridge Camp in Middleburg to see friends from Jill's House. These weekend getaways give kids with intellectual disabilities the supportive opportunity they need to experience Jesus's love through adventures and fun. We joined campers in the late afternoon during their downtime, hanging out, relaxing, and enjoying each other's company. There is nothing like a camp best friend!
Thank you for our friends, Jesus. You have truly shown us examples of your love and faithfulness through friendships that build us up, encourage, and support us. Amen.
August 17, 2022 - Celebrate and Support
Last weekend team Amos travelled to Williamsburg to join Solomon Comfort Dog (King of Glory, Williamsburg) and Kezia Comfort Dog (Emmanuel, Baltimore) for the celebration and installation of Rev. Dr. William Harmon as President of our Southeastern District, LCMS. It was an honor to be present to support our district’s leadership and be present for all who came to bear witness and pray for God’s guidance, wisdom, and confidence.
August 10, 2022 - Faithful Followers
Team Amos has faithful followers who are a part of our ministry but have never met us in person. They pray with us, love those we meet, and are comforted in the love and mercy that we share. One follower regularly sends the Comfort Dogs Ministries heartfelt, handmade gifts, like the ones we recently received containing blankets and toys made for Amos. We are so blessed by the support, love, and prayers that go with us every time we step out to share Jesus’ love.
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." ~ 1 Peter 4:10
August 3, 2022 - You Are Loved!
Hello, Our Savior's Way friends! I want to remind you how deeply loved you are. Our Heavenly Father's abundant, steadfast love for each of us fills us with hope for the future. God encourages us in our love by providing a spiritual family of believers. At OSWLC we know that we are better together, in communion with our creator. Together, in the Body of Christ, let us have patience and trust in God's plan and remember how deeply loved we are.
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." ~ Colossians 3:15
July
July 20, 2022 - Ashby Ponds Visit
This week's visit at Ashby Ponds was spent entirely with the memory care residents who were excited to have the extra time with Amos. Amos received lots of loving touches, hugs, and smiles as he helped to bring a sense of comfort and familiarity. Many of the residents shared personal memories of the dogs in their lives while gently stroking Amos. These nostalgic moments and sensory experiences with Amos bring a special calmness to the residents.
"And I will still be carrying you when you are old. Your hair will turn gray, and I will still carry you. I made you, and I will carry you to safety." ~ Isaiah 46:4
July 13, 2022 - Connecting with Our Church Family
Amos was happy to be back in Virginia and attending worship with his OSWLC family on Sunday. We enjoy being used by God to touch lives and be available to greet you each week. This is a wonderful way for us to get to know our church family better. We hope that you are able to visit Amos before or after services. You may even catch him calling you with a look that says, "Come!"
"From him the whole body joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Ephesians 4:16
July 6, 2022 - We Can All Comfort
While the comfort dog schedule may change during summer we know that the need for comfort and the presence of Jesus does not change. God knows our desire to be loved and He made us for companionship. We are needed to encourage, listen, and support and we can do this with our presence, a hug, or a smile.
Heavenly Father, we are thankful that You have shown us examples of Your love through our friends. Help us to be a friend to someone today. We don’t know how much we may be needed, but we do know that You place people in our hearts and our paths for Your purpose.
"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." ~ Romans 12:10
June
June 29, 2022 - Comfort Dog Regional Conference
Amos missed seeing his OSWLC family at church last weekend while he traveled with his handlers and ministry partners to attend the LCC Comfort Dog Regional Conference in Hicksville, NY. The nine regional teams are from Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia. The conference was an amazing, faith-filled weekend where teams were able to renew, refresh their training, and connect with each other. It was a blessing for our teams to spend time together growing in our ministry.
While in New York, the "A-team" (Abraham and Amos Comfort Dogs) went to visit the 9/11 Memorial where we prayed and paid respect to those affected by this tragedy. We were also able to thank NYPD officers for their service to the community and make new friends while sharing Jesus's love in NYC.
Join us! Are you called to comfort? We welcome you to talk to any team member or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more about how you can serve in this ministry.
Team photo from left to right: Kezia Comfort Dog, Amos Comfort Dog, Lydia Comfort Dog, Abraham Comfort Dog, Beloved Comfort Dog, Lily Comfort Dog, Solomon Comfort Dog, Obadiah Comfort Dog, Leah Comfort Dog.
June 22, 2022 - Comforting During Tragedy
This weekend Team Amos received an emergency site visit request from Project Thank a Cop to join them in Wicomico County, Maryland for the funeral of Sheriff Deputy First Class Glenn Hilliard who was killed in the line of duty on Sunday, June 12th. Sheriff Deputy First Class Glenn Hilliard was a 16-year veteran law enforcement officer who leaves behind a wife and three children.
On Monday two handlers traveled to Salisbury, Maryland to join Kezia Comfort Dog (Emmanuel, Baltimore, MD) and Solomon Comfort Dog (King of Glory, Williamsburg, VA) in supporting this hurting community at the funeral and visitation. Our good and gracious God was with these teams as they served those in law enforcement, bringing Jesus’ love, compassion, comfort, and light to the peacemakers and to Deputy First Class Glenn Hilliard’s family and friends. Please keep those who mourn this tragic loss in your prayers.
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." ~ Ephesians 2:10
June 15, 2022 - God is Calling You to Serve
Have you heard God's call to serve? We were excited to meet all who stopped to talk to the various ministry representatives at the Volunteer Fair after Sunday’s worship services. We enjoyed sharing our ministry experiences and encouraging others in their desire to serve. Team Amos welcomes any opportunity to help you learn more! You may have signed up to volunteer at a ministry on the spot or may still be thinking more about where you can best serve. Wait on God, and when the time is right, He will call you.
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" ~ Isaiah 6:8
June 8, 2022 - Ashby Ponds
Team Amos has not been able to visit our Ashby Ponds friends lately as they are currently experiencing Covid-related isolation measures. We miss them dearly and continue to pray for them while we await our next visit. When a scheduled visit is paused, it is an opportunity to reach out into our community to see the people that God places in our path. In our neighborhoods, parks, and malls, we meet people who are lost, alone, unloved, or struggling. Students, teachers, first responders, business owners, and friends are overwhelmed and looking for comfort. Team Amos answers the call. We go out and share the love, compassion, and presence of Jesus in our community.
Have you heard God's call to serve? Remember that your lack of ministry experience does not limit our God. Let's talk about what is holding you back. Stop by to see us at the Volunteer Fair following the worship services on Sunday.
June 1, 2022 - Memorial Day
Heavenly Father, as we remember and honor Americas fallen, we are profoundly grateful for the grace given by men and women who laid their lives down for our freedoms. Teach us to show with our own lives that we do not forget.
Our ministry outreach calls us to go out each day to share Jesus’ love, compassion, and presence with our community. Let us listen with Jesus’ ears, see with Jesus’ eyes, and love with Jesus’ unconditional love and acceptance.
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh, rather, serve one another humbly in Love.” ~ Galatians 5:13
May
May 25, 2022 - Sunday School
Amos joined the OSWLC middle schoolers in their last Sunday school class of the school year last Sunday. They have worked hard all year and are looking forward to summer vacation! Although we won't be in class together again until the fall, we look forward to seeing our friends at church and in the community throughout the summer.
Heavenly Father, we know that You are always in control. Please help us remember to trust in Jesus, and in that trust, we have hope for every tomorrow ahead.
May 18, 2022 - Comforting
LCC Comfort dogs are trained to give and receive love, patience, and hugs from everyone they meet. They learn a "lap" command where they can lay across someone’s lap and distribute their weight to be careful and provide better proximity to give and receive hugs. This physical contact is especially vital for the residents we visit at Waltonwood and Ashby Ponds. Amos craves contact with others and loves to be touched, pet, and hugged. This ability to connect is an important bridge for our ministry as we go out to relate to and serve others.
“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” Proverbs 11:24-25
May 11, 2022 - Mother's Day
Amos was at worship this past Sunday for Mother's Day to give comfort to all OSWLC mothers in attendance. We pray for all mothers - Heavenly Father, we are grateful for every woman You have created. Bless them with love and the peace that can only come from You. Amen.
"As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you." ~Isaiah 66:13
May 4, 2022 - National Military Appreciation Week
The month of May marks the beginning of National Military Appreciation Month, a time to thank all those who serve and have served, including their families. To our nation's service members past and present, we say "Thank You" for your service and sacrifice and we lift prayers for you and your families, knowing our Heavenly Father is always by your side.
Kare 9 Amos serves our military community in a variety of ways wherever we are invited, including VA Hospital visits, Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Events, VFW, and American Legion events. Each Kare 9 Amos handler is a veteran who shares the bond of duty, service, and memories that allow us to reach and serve military members and their families in our community. If you are part of our military community or would like to help us serve military members and their families in the Kare 9 Amos Military Ministry, we would love to hear from you!
“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.” ~ Harry S. Truman
April
April 27, 2022 - National Volunteer Week
Last week was National Volunteer Week and Amos would like to tell you about a special group of people:
- They accompany and guide Amos in his work.
- They are always ready to share God’s comfort and compassion with those we meet.
- They protect, train, play with and care for Amos, making sure all his needs are met.
- They pray with and for those we meet, and all of you.
- They are Team Amos, his caregivers, handlers, and ministry partners.
We give thanks to all those who volunteer their time, talents, and energy to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus. "I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be my people." Leviticus 26:12
April 20, 2022 - Bringing Comfort
Our dear friend Rachel is always a blessing to see when Team Amos visits Maple Grove at Ashby Ponds Senior Living. Rachel is the staff escort who accompanies us when we visit residents. We have developed connections and friendships with many of the "regulars." She shines with God's love as she makes sure that each resident feels like the most special person in the room. Rachel is a messenger of comfort.
Our Heavenly Father calls on us to bring comfort and compassion to the world around us. In simple ways: a kind word, a smile or hug, a caring heart, and when praying, we are the sources of comfort for one another. "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25
April 13, 2022 - Jill's House Camp Highroads
This weekend Amos was excited to return to Jill's House Camp Highroads in Middleburg. The weekend camp is a fun-filled place for campers with intellectual disabilities to enjoy adventure and community while their families renew and rest at home. Amos's friends light up when he walks in and then the cuddles take over! It's a blessing to share God's love through our presence as we visit, laugh, and listen while our friendships grow and Jesus's light shines through our fluffy connection. Wherever we go, the people around us see that Jesus shows up.
During Holy Week we remember that we are the redeemed, the light of life! Through us, Jesus shows up. Can you think of someone who needs Jesus in their life, who needs YOU to show up?
"Truly, truly I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do: and greater works than these will he do because I am going to the Father. " ~ John 14:12
April 6, 2022 - God's Hands and Feet
Amos shared an amazing weekend in Williamsburg, Virginia with his friends Kezia Comfort Dog of Emmanuel (Baltimore), Solomon Comfort Dog of King of Glory (Williamsburg), and the fantastic middle school youth gathering from all over the Southeastern District, LCMS. We were so happy to greet our friends from OSW along with the other attendees as they arrived each day. We held two packed breakout sessions for the youth to learn more about our ministry and how we are the hands and feet of Christ. We hope they are encouraged by the comfort dog teams and remember that they can be the voice of Christ to the people around them. Please pray for God’s presence and blessings over our middle school youth and may the awesome work of God lift them up as they grow in their faith.
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." Ephesians 4:29
March
March 30, 2022 - Coming Together
You may have seen Amos a little more last week as he joined his team and many of you in attendance at the town halls to meet and listen to the two Senior Pastor candidates. It seems that when we come together to consider the needs of our congregation and the community we are also reminded of our many ministry gifts and how God is at work doing more than we can ever know. As we find new or renewed meaning in our mission let us be more motivated than ever to use our gifts in His saving work!
"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. " 1 Corinthians 12:27-28
March 23, 2022 - Spring is Here
This past week Team Amos started to notice more green on their visits. We're enjoying the change in weather by spending more time outdoors visiting others and joining in the springtime celebrations. The arrival of spring brings with it a joyful time full of energy, renewal, and growth. It is a wonderful reminder that through Christ we are given new life!<
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
March 16, 2022 - Lutheran Schools Week & Training
Last week Amos joined his Open Arms friends for chapel as they celebrated Lutheran Schools Week and then traveled to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for the Southeastern District LCMS Disaster Response conference and training. Team Amos joined Team Seth, from Eternal Shepherd, Seneca, South Carolina, and Team Solomon from King of Glory, Williamsburg, Virginia at the conference to share the comfort dog ministry with attendees and other guests. We were truly blessed by this opportunity to share love and grow in ways to respond to those in need.
“Being able to bring hope, help, and healing - gifts of God for His people- becomes the best way that we are able to connect people with Jesus.” Sally Hiller, SED Disaster Response Coordinator.
March 9, 2022 - Pastor Peterson
This week we are hurting as we begin to mourn the loss of Pastor Peterson. He held a special place in our hearts and in the life of our congregation. He was intentional about ensuring the Comfort Dog Ministry was reaching those he knew to be in need and he would regularly stop us in church to inquire about our visits or to point us to someone or someplace that Amos should visit. He knew that the way through tough times is in connecting with and caring for others.
As we pray for the Peterson family and for each other, we turn the Bible verse assigned to Amos as part of his name - “The Lord protects the simple hearted; when I was in need he saved me,” ~ Psalm 116:6
March 2, 2022 - Sharing God's Love
This week during our classroom visits at Open Arms, students volunteered to read to Amos - they love to have an attentive listener! Some children sang and danced for Amos, while others snuggled and talked to him. We are blessed by these moments to share God's love and truly enjoy our time spent experiencing Jesus together. Our regular visits are opportunities to remind ourselves of what God has called us to do. "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." ~ 1 Peter 4:10
