Comfort Dogs Deployed To Monterey Park After Mass Shooting

MONTEREY PARK, CA — Amid the grief and heartbreak of a mass shooting, a team of trained comfort dogs has been deployed to Monterey Park.

Golden retrievers Lois, Rahab, Reuben, Salome and Micah were in the eastern Los Angeles suburb to provide support for those reeling after a gunman killed 11 people and wounded nine Saturday at Star Dance Studio following a Lunar New Year celebration.

The dead have been identified as Mymy Nhan, 65; Valentino Marcos Alvero, 68; Lilan Li, 63; Xiujuan Yu, 57; Ming Wei Ma, 72; Muoi Dai Ung, 67; Hongying Jian, 62; Yu-Lun Kao, 72; Chia Ling Yau, 76; Wen-Tau Yu, 64; and Diana Man Ling Tom, 70.

The retrievers are with the Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and are based in communities across California and Nevada, but stand ready to go where they’re needed should a tragedy occur. Each of the program’s over 130 dogs in 26 states receives at least 2,000 hours of training.

“The LCC K-9 Ministries embrace the unique, calming nature and skills of AKC Purebred Golden Retrievers to interact with people of all ages and circumstances,” according to the organization.

The ministry launched in 2008, and since then, it has deployed dogs to comfort communities in the aftermath of the Newtown, Parkland, and Uvalde school shootings, among other disasters.

Lois, Rahab, Reuben and Salome were present Monday to support those grieving at the memorial site outside Monterey Park City Hall, including when over 100 people gathered for a vigil that evening. Micah was scheduled to join them at a vigil Tuesday outside City Hall.

Lutheran Church Charities was invited to Monterey Park by leadership at Emmaus Lutheran Church and School in Alhambra. The organization brought markers to be placed at the memorial site for people to sign and leave condolences as part of its Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry.

“Our two LCC Ministries work together to bring comfort and healing to the community during this difficult time,” said Debra Baran, director of communications and media relations, in an email.