She is the result of a partnership with Joy Comfort Dog and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church & Lutheran Church Charities. The veteran comfort dog has trained for thousands of hours and has responded to several crisis situations across Texas, including the mass shootings in Santa Fe, El Paso and Midland. Joy’s latest job though is to help bring smiles and provide comfort to first responders on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis. So to be able to help in someway brings joy to our team as well,” said Stephanie Knea, with Joy Comfort Dog Ministry and Lutheran Church Charities. I think that all the nurses know who Joy is in our hospital, and they’re so excited for that,” said Welty.