One of our favorite comic strips back in the day was Calvin and Hobbes (and you can still find it re-run in some newspapers).

Now you may remember that Calvin was a little boy with a toy stuffed tiger named Hobbes, who came alive through Calvin’s abundant imagination. Having our new dog Duke reminds us of that cartoon because we find ourselves in conversation. And, make no mistake, dogs are great conversationalists. Many pet owners – not us… yet – give voice to their dogs. But our dogs aren’t just great conversationalists, they are great conversation starters.

In our experience any time we have a dog with us or we’re talking with other people about dogs, people always seem to open up or to at least join in a conversation or engage with you when they otherwise wouldn’t if you were having a dog-free conversation. Dogs bring out the extrovert in all of us because dogs accept us for who we are.

They don’t judge us based upon our circumstances, our looks, our wealth (or lack thereof), or life choices, they are equal opportunity friend makers. As a result of our association with our dogs, people then give us the benefit of the doubt that if our dog likes us as his dog parents, then they’ll give a stranger the benefit of the doubt for conversation. We believe Duke will have that role in the next part of our ministry.

Think of Duke as our furry fidget spinner. But not as mindless play.

A fidget spinner by definition is used for reducing anxiety, stress and increased concentration. People who have a habit of fidgeting with pens, mobile phones, chewing their fingers when tensed, et cetera, can use the fidget spinner to transfer the energy into this particular toy which gives a very soothing effect when it spins. Dogs have that effect on people also. Dogs tend to have a calming effect just when we’re in their presence and can especially reduce stress when we reach out and pet them, when we interact with them.

Most people are wary when approached by people they don’t know. We all tend to be in some way, right? But how often do strangers approach us because they want to pet the dog the stranger is walking? Like, A LOT! Imagine the people we’ll be able to connect with, interact with, perhaps start a relationship with because they’ll want to meet Duke. Duke will be happy to have a new person scratch behind his ears or pet him; to sit and to be calm while men are telling about their story or when they become anxious they’ll be able to pet Duke and feel their anxiety decrease. Being able to have that tactile experience of petting a dog has been scientifically proven to release anti-stress hormones in the body, to slow down heart rate, to increase mental acuity that would be clouded by stress and anxiety. It lowers barriers emotionally induced by a stress-related flight or fight response.

We’re going to teach Duke to do what’s called deep pressured therapy. People who need something across their lap or to be leaned against to feel comforted (think of how good a heavy blanket or quilt feels on you), Duke will be able to do those things.

People love the acceptance of a dog and to feel like the dog likes them.

Having Duke do that will put people at ease and help the likelihood of a deeper, more meaningful conversation and experience, especially when meeting for the first time. It’s been my experience once people meet and they have a successful meeting with someone and a good conversation, they’re more willing to share more, they’re more open to doing more things during a subsequent meeting/conversation. That’s the role that Duke will play in our ministry.

As God continues to lead our ministry, He continues to provide more tools to reach those who need us, those who are looking for the love and peace God provides but they haven’t anyone come alongside in relationship to share that with them. Duke is the latest member of our ministry team who has the ability to build God-led interactions with the people we seek to build relationships.

We will continue to share Duke’s training progress but will – as time goes on – share Discussions with Duke as he helps us share the gospel and lead the lost to Christ. We ask that you pray for us and Duke that he would take quickly to his training and that God would put us in the path with others who need to talk to Duke.