The community is invited to attend the Comfort Dog Fundraising Dinner on Saturday, November 3, 2012 in the cafeteria at Portage High School-West from 5-7p.m.
Prince, the Portage High School Comfort Dog, will be retiring at the end of the 2012-13 school year, and Holy Cross Lutheran Church is raising money to purchase another comfort dog to continue the great work that Mr. Kunstek and Prince have done in the school since 2009.
Comfort Dog Ministries is a program of the Lutheran Church Charities (LCC), in which golden retrievers are trained to bring comfort, love, and a sense of peace and grounding for those suffering from trauma in their lives. Just the mere presence of a loveable companion brings immediate comfort to those in need.
The benefits of animal therapy is beginning to become wide-spread as medical facilities, nursing and retirement villages have all documented the healing effects that petting a beloved animal can bring; including a reduction in blood pressure and stress.
Holy Cross Lutheran Church has two Comfort Dogs (Prince and Barnabas) who work in the High School, the Portage Community, and throughout the State of Indiana. Prince and Barnabas are the only Comfort Dogs currently working in the State of Indiana.
Pastor Tim Engel has witnessed firsthand how extraordinary the relationship can be between humans and the canine breed. “These dogs have an amazing ability to connect traumatized or struggling individuals to someone who can help them…like a safe, loving, peaceful conduit; the dogs help channel care and compassion to those who are hurting. There’s much more to be learned about the extent of the natural instincts and abilities that these dogs can bring or share for the betterment of mankind” states Engel.
Meet Prince, Barnabas, and Rusty the Railcat at the dinner! Tickets are on sale now for $5.00/adult and $3.00/children 12 years & younger; tickets can be purchased at Portage High School Bookstore or at Midwest Family Credit Union (2832 Willowcreek Road, Portage Indiana) or by calling 921-3487. All donations are appreciated and can be mailed to Holy Cross Lutheran Church 5402 U.S. Highway 6, Portage Indiana 46368.