Newtown Comfort


"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. " ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
 

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Maggie's Corner - Winter 2020
Newtown Comfort Update – Spotlight Edition

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As is typical when going somewhere with comfort dog Maggie, it takes some time to get to where you’re headed, since there are many stops along the way with requests to pet Maggie.  In this Newtown Comfort Spotlight Edition, Maggie is headed with husband/wife handlers Dave and Virginia to the 5th floor of the West Haven Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center, where they visit veterans in the cancer center.
Dave, Virginia and Maggie have been visiting twice a month for almost three years now, and they have formed bonds with the patients who are there for treatments on the same day of the week that Maggie visits.  At the patient’s invitation, Maggie will gently and lovingly place her head in the patient’s lap, so they can pet her while they receive their IV treatments. 
Sometimes Dave and Virginia will meet a patient who is there for their first treatment, and they’re afraid of the unknown—how will I react to the strong drugs?  Will they work? 
Whether a new patient or familiar one, visiting with Maggie changes the patient’s focus, and helps calm their mind.
Typically there is a support person along with the cancer patient while they receive treatments—a spouse, an adult child, some other relative, or a good friend.  As you can imagine, this is a difficult time for the support person, as well, and they, too, so appreciate the Maggie visits.  Not only do they get to see the comfort that Maggie provides to their loved one, but Maggie and her team provide comfort to the support person—sometimes they quietly share their hidden fears, as they maintain a positive front for their loved one.
Dave and Virginia get to see the success stories, such as the WWII veteran they got to know, who no longer needs treatments.  And there are sad times, as well, such as the day they visited the cancer center and were asked to head to the Emergency Room, where a long-time Vietnam vet patient had been sent, along with his wife—he wasn’t doing well.  Dave, Virginia and Maggie found their way to the ER, and Maggie’s visit was so appreciated by the patient, his wife, and all the staff who got to witness the comfort provided by the visit.  The next time Maggie visited the hospital, they learned this patient had passed away.
It’s not just the patients and their loved-ones who benefit from Maggie’s VA Hospital cancer center visits.  This is an emotionally difficult job for the staff, and they look forward to some Maggie time, as well.  One day a nurse sat on the floor with Maggie for quite a while.  Dave and Virginia came to learn that her young niece had unexpectedly died that week.  The nurse was so grateful for this time with Maggie, saying that she really needed it to give her strength that day.
There are two comments Dave and Virginia hear most from the patients:  how thankful they are for the VA to be providing their treatments, and how thankful they are for the Maggie visits. 
We’re so grateful for the opportunity to serve these veterans who have served our country.  May God bless them all.  

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​Be sure to watch "Wags n Tales": an Emmy Award-Winning Documentary produced by former member Ken Fay featuring Maggie in action.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry Updates

Maggie is a Lutheran Church Charities-affiliated K-9 Comfort Dog. Their mission is to share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. LCC works through churches to help individuals and families, serving nationally and internationally.
For more information about Christ the King's other Missions Activities, check out our Missions and News pages.

Click here to read a recent Boston Globe article that features Maggie, with several pics of her at work at Christ the King.
Contact us: ctknewtown@gmail.com or 203-426-6300
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