September 8, 2022 1:31pm
Updated: September 8, 2022 6:25pm
Students of Robb Elementary School were greeted by comfort dogs as they returned to school for the first time since the tragic shooting in May that killed 19 of their peers and two teachers.
On the first day of school on Tuesday, students at eight schools in Uvalde’s school district were greeted at least one emotional support provide by Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry, reports the Washington Examiner.
"The first day of school should be one of excitement and celebration, but for many of the children, parents, and teachers of Uvalde there was apprehension, fear, and sadness as that day approached," the charity posted to Facebook on Wednesday.
“LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Triton, Priscilla, Martha, Katie, Joy, Elijah, Devorah, Damaris, Cubby, and Abner were there that first day; a friend to walk with, offering comfort, love, and encouragement.”
"The gift that the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs team can give to Uvalde is to walk beside them and offer support in any way they can. To see a child smile, relax, and seek comfort in petting the soft golden fur of one of the Comfort Dogs is a blessing to be a part of," it added, providing links to the dogs’ individual social media accounts.
Attendees of Robb, which is set to be demolished, were distributed to three other district elementary schools, reports ABC News.
Based in Illinois, Lutheran Church Charities first provided comfort dogs to the Uvalde community in early June, when a team of handlers and eight of their golden retrievers greeted residents in the town square.
LCC crisis response coordinator Bonnie Fear said the dogs “show unconditional love.”
"After traumatic events people don't want to deal with people, sometimes they just want that thing that they can touch, talk to without being judged, and it's pretty much that simple,” Fear told CNN at the time.
3,724 students attended the first day of school – 88.8% of the anticipated enrollment – according to a letter from Superintendent Hal Harrell obtained by the Washington Examiner.
Parents who were not ready to send their children back to school were provided remote resources, like curriculum and access to counselors, according to ABC News.
