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IN PHOTOS: Comfort dogs console after Orlando shooting

Melissa Soto hugs comfort dog Susie near a memorial site in honor of the victims of the Orlando mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, 14 June 2016. EPA/JOHN TAGGART

Wearing vests that say “I’m friendly, please pet me,” a team of comfort dogs have travelled to Orlando to help people cope in the wake of tragedy.

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The city is reeling after a gunman killed 49 people at a gay club Sunday morning.

So the K-9 Comfort Team –a dozen golden retrievers along with 20 handlers — packed up and made their way to Orlando.

People pet comfort dog Susie near a memorial site in honour of the victims of the Orlando mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, 14 June 2016. EPA/JOHN TAGGART

They’ve attended memorials, vigils and hospitals.

Visiting the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. Facebook / Barnabas Comfort Dog
Meeting with ER staff at the Orlando Regional Medical Center. Facebook / Phoebe Comfort Dog

They were invited by Rev. Gregory S. Walton and are working out of the Trinity Lutheran Church in downtown Orlando. The church does ministry outreach with the LGBTQ community.

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ONGOING COVERAGE: Orlando shooting 
The dogs “helping out at a fundraiser for the employees of the Pulse.” Facebook / Mahlah Comfort Dog

“Please consider the heartbreak, chaos and overwhelming grief that this community, the victims, their families, and the First Responders are going through because of this horrific incident,” the team’s website says.

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“We appreciated the support and help of local police at the vigil.” Facebook / Phoebe Comfort Dog

“We will be working in the hospitals with those who were injured and will also be working with all the First Responders.”

Melissa Soto shakes a paw of comfort dog Susie near a memorial site in honour of the victims of the Orlando mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, 14 June 2016. EPA/JOHN TAGGART
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