For 30 years, United Airlines and its employees have worked to bring holiday magic to children battling serious illnesses. Each December, they partner with Cal’s Angels and Make-a-Wish Foundation to create a flight to the North Pole and a visit with Santa.
A child enjoys petting Gethsemane from Lord of Glory Lutheran Church in Grayslake.
This year, 65 children and their parents enjoyed the event Dec. 6 at O’Hare International Airport. Similar Fantasy Flights also took place at Washington Dulles and Newark airports. Each location offered the same magical experience, with families boarding a plane and making a short flight before arriving at a gate transformed into the North Pole.
The event included mingling with Bennie the Bull as well as super heroes, lunch at Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, shopping in Santa’s Village, visiting with real reindeer, and walking away with gifts from Santa’s helpers.
In the middle of it all, were Comfort Dogs and their handlers, from the Northbrook-based Lutheran Church Charities. These specially trained golden retrievers offered unconditional love and provided a sense of calm in a season that can be especially difficult for families whose children are fighting life-threatening illnesses.
“I was struck by the parents who were able to find joy that day,” said Lynne Ryan, the handler who accompanied Shadrach, the comfort dog from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Palatine.
Sarah Chang accompanied Gethsemane, the comfort dog from Lord of Glory Lutheran Church in Grayslake. As a parent herself, she said she could not imagine the difficult days each of these families experience.
“Yet, to see the families smiling and hopefully forgetting about the challenges they face was priceless,” Chang said. “It felt like we did so little yet brought so much joy. I think the day will be the highlight of my holidays this year.”
Shadrach lies quietly while children surround him.
A special moment occurred for Judy Mihalk, the handler for Magdalene from Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel, Indiana.
“One of the United elves asked if we could bring Magdalene to visit a child in a wheelchair,” Mihalk says. “The mother said her daughter was feeling overwhelmed and needed to be away from the crowds, but her daughter really wanted to see the dogs. It was a special moment for us to share with the mother and daughter.”
It was the former president of Lutheran Church Charities, Tim Hetzner, who formed the K9 Comfort Dog ministry. It began in 2008, after he and other volunteers responded to the shooting massacre at Northern Illinois University and seeing the full impact of an animal in traumatic situations.
What started with four comfort dogs now has expanded to multiple states across the country. They respond not only to tragedies, but to area schools and senior facilities, and especially in moments of joy, such as the Fantasy Flights. These comfort dogs only go when asked and they never charge for their visits. But the rewards, handlers say, are priceless.
“The hugs, oh, the many hugs these children gave to our Comfort Dogs,” Mikalk added. “This brought smiles to the parents’ faces, seeing their child so happy. It was such a blessing to be able to witness the families smiling, even laughing, feeling the joy and peace of that moment.”
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