Comfort dogs visit Boston again

The Lutheran charity’s comfort dogs are accustomed to a great deal of attention at the disaster sites they visit.  (Stacey Leasca / Los Angeles Times)

Ruthie gets a hug from Aislynn Rodeghiero, who ran in the 2013 Boston Marathon but didn’t cross the finish line because of the bombings. She’s running again this year.  (Stacey Leasca / Los Angeles Times)

Hannah curls up next to visitors at the First Lutheran Church of Boston. In the wake of the bombings at last year’s Boston Marathon, the dogs visited victims in the hospital.  (Stacey Leasca / Los Angeles Times)

A comfort dog in training was among those visiting Boston on Saturday.  (Stacey Leasca / Los Angeles Times)

A golden retriever draws a crowd outside the First Lutheran Church of Boston for hugs and kisses.  (Stacey Leasca / Los Angeles Times)

Lutheran pastor Ingo Dutzmann said the reaction of Bostonians to the dogs last year was emotional: “Everybody’s on edge,” and people came up to the dogs “with tears in their eyes,” thankful that they were there.  (Stacey Leasca / Los Angeles Times)

Richard and Dona Martin, directors of the comfort dog program, flank senior pastor Ingo Dutzmann of the First Lutheran Church of Boston.  (Stacey Leasca / Los Angeles Times)

On Saturday, some Bostonians found comfort once again from these dogs. “This is just love in a golden body,” said one fan.   (Stacey Leasca / Los Angeles Times)