Timothy Schwan '72 and Joann (Raschefsky) Schwan '73 serve in retirement with Lutheran Church Charities Comfort Dog Ministry

Seward, NE (09/29/2026) — Timothy Schwan '72 and Joann (Raschefsky) Schwan '73 met as undergraduate students at Concordia University, Nebraska. Although their careers took them on separate paths following graduation, they both have a heart for service. In retirement, they serve side by side as part of the Lutheran Church Charities Comfort Dog Ministry.

"We are very different in many ways, yet very similar in our faith and sense of God's calling to serve others," explained Tim. "God makes great use of our differences when we go on ministry visits with Hagar, our church's Comfort Dog, and we find a lot of joy in that! The Comfort Dog Ministry is a ministry of presence. We meet people where they are. We listen. And listen. And listen. So many of the people we meet with have a lot of people telling them what to do, and so they really value having someone actively, compassionately listen to them. This makes good use of our collective relationship skills that we've developed in our individual careers."

The son of a Lutheran Church -Missouri Synod (LCMS) pastor, Tim was encouraged to pursue some kind of ministry when considering colleges. He intended to play football at Concordia, but a broken collar bone derailed that dream and opened the door to be part of the swim team at Concordia. Joann grew up in LCMS schools in Detroit but wanted to get out of the city. She was attracted to Concordia Nebraska's rural setting and beautiful open spaces.

"We were students during the Vietnam War. As I reflect on that time of personal struggles and the protests and challenges facing our country, church and individual discernment, I am so very thankful we went through that with the Concordia community," said Tim. "We walked together through that tumultuous time, and I grew in my faith in our Lord Jesus and His guiding, loving hand."

Tim has a bachelor's degree in education and Director of Christian Education certification from the university as well as a master's degree in family counseling from University of Nebraska at Kearney. Joann has a bachelor's degree in education from the university, a master's degree in curriculum and assessment from Marion College, National Teacher Certification and early childhood degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Both agree that meeting each other at Concordia was a highlight of their university experience, but Tim also pointed out that the overall discipline of a Christian college experience with other Christians was formative as they studied, competed and grew in faith together.

"I was pretty certain that God was calling me to teach," said Tim. "I learned from my professors that teaching takes on many forms of ministry and service. My classes broadened and deepened my sense of calling. Professors like Chuck Dull and Bill Karpenko challenged, supported and shaped my view of what God was and is calling me to do. My teammates and coaches Jim Young and Dr. Stan Brassie challenged me to use my God-given talents to get better every day."

Joann always knew she wanted to serve as a teacher, and her Concordia professors reinforced that desire. She credits Lavonne Riemer with developing her love for children's literature and said the university's theology classes deepened her faith and Biblical knowledge.

Both credit their time at Concordia Nebraska for encouraging them to serve the church and its people.

"Even in retirement now, Joann and I enjoy serving our Lord through the church in a variety of ways, especially with our LCC Comfort Dog Ministry," explained Tim. "I think it also taught me to be open to new ways that God would use me and Joann to help others know Jesus."

He said his experience on the swim team reinforced the concept of community and team, even though swimming consists of mostly individual efforts. Joann added that her university cheerleading experience taught her how to be an encourager to others individually, in the classroom and on teams.

"My Concordia experience helped me become goal-oriented, organized and able to get a lot done," she said. "I enjoyed and had a lot of fun during my college experience at Concordia!"

The Schwans have served with the LCC Comfort Dog Ministry for seven years. They are currently part of the handling team for Comfort Dog Hagar, who is seven years old. LCC has more than 100 K-9 Comfort Dogs in 26 states.

"It is clear to me that God prepared us over the years to both enjoy and be effective in this ministry," said Tim. "He uses us to bring his mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation into the lives of others, especially those experiencing distress, discomfort, loneliness and feeling lost."

Lutheran Church Charities trains comfort dogs - all golden retrievers - from eight to twelve weeks of age to about one-and-a-half years. They also provide initial and ongoing training for the Comfort Dog handlers and support team. "We 'learned how to learn' at Concordia, and that has served us well in our family and careers. It also serves us well as handlers for Hagar . . . we are constantly training and learning!"

"The trainers and staff at LCC have a wonderful sense of calling and purpose in life, and it's a blessing to know them and be part of this nationwide ministry," added Tim. The dogs are so well trained and wonderful to work with. We've had our own pet dogs over the years, and Hagar is like the perfect child in terms of dog behavior. And we are in a congregation that is lovingly and generously supportive of the Comfort Dog Ministry as part of our outreach to the community. Our 'Hagar team' of 15 is amazing, and they are all good friends whom we love serving with."

The Hagar team makes more than 30 ministry visits each month. The Schwans make three to four visits per week on average. Most of their visits are in the Appleton and Fox Cities, Wisconsin area, but they also respond to LCC requests to go on deployments with other LCC Comfort Dog teams.

"Joann and I have been on several LCC deployments," said Tim. "We were deployed for five days with Hagar and five other LCC Comfort Dog teams to Minneapolis the day after the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School. Being present to share God's comfort, love and peace in the name of Jesus with this grieving community was an honor and a blessing to us. [It is] amazing to see how God works through this ministry of presence."

In his 46-year career, Tim taught fifth grade, served as an athletic director and coach, was a director of Christian education and youth ministry, worked for AAL (now Thrivent) in a variety of leadership and executive roles and enjoyed part-time non-profit and board consulting. He was inducted into the Concordia University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. He served on the Concordia Nebraska Board of Regents from 2012 to 2019.

Joann's 42-year career demonstrates a heart for children and service in the classroom. She has taught preschool, kindergarten, third grade, fourth grade, sixth grade and seventh grade at schools in Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin and also has experience as a preschool director and supervising teacher.

In addition to their current work with LCC in retirement, both are actively involved in the lives of their four children and 14 grandchildren and volunteer extensively at their church and in their community.

"I love how we complement each other and how God uses that in our interactions with those we are serving," said Joann. "I initially engage, invite and encourage people to pet Hagar and visit, and Tim uses his gifts to help people reflect and share their thoughts and feelings. As a team, God has helped us get close to the people we meet, pray with them, cry with them, hug them, laugh with themand, of course, enjoy some quiet and precious moments petting Hagar!"

"Our Hagar ministry team is invited into places our church would not otherwise be invited," said Tim. "We are blessed to see how God is at work in those places using the staff and other people to serve those in need. We walk alongside them, and Hagar serves as a bridge to engage others in moments of reflection, sharing, comfort and caring. Before each visit we pray that we will see how Jesus is present and that He would use us to somehow help those we visit know that He loves them."

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