Last weekend’s mass shooting in El Paso, Texas left people all over that community completely devastated. Now, golden retrievers are being brought in to help them cope with the tragedy.

Many of the victims of the shooting were rushed to Del Sol Medical Center to be treated. Golden retrievers have since been brought in to comfort the staffers who work there.

“It’s better to see something positive come our way than what we’ve been having to deal with,” said Riannen Aguirre, an office coordinator at the medical center.

The dogs were sent in by Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry, which trains the naturally calming golden retrievers to comfort people who are in need.

“They bring comfort because they show unconditional love,” said Tim Hetzner, president of Lutheran Church Charities, said. “They’re confidential, they don’t take notes, and they’re nonjudgmental. They help people to calm down for a little bit and relax.” In this community, the therapeutic presence of these dogs is much needed.”

“We heard that there was puppies and we decided to come to get the joy of them,” Riannen continued. The dogs were sent in to help both the victims and the staff, and the dogs have been used to comfort those affected by many other tragedies as well, including the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in Connecticut.

“She’s coming with me,” said another medical center staff member.

It’s truly amazing that dogs are able to spread so much love and lift the spirits of people affected by tragedy in this way. Find out more about this in the video below.