Before dog was shot to death, Sukha gave ‘unconditional love’ at Sunnyland Elementary

Wherever Lynn Heimsoth went, Sukha was with her.

And that included Sunnyland Elementary School, where she was the principal and where Sukha served as a therapy dog for the students there.

Heimsoth was Sukha’s handler, and the two would greet the children outside the school in the morning, bringing joy to the students and their parents, according to social media posts.

Bellingham Public Schools also featured their relationship and how they helped students on a video and story on its website.

“He really loves kids,” Heimsoth said in the June 8, 2018, piece posted on the Bellingham Public Schools website. “He would choose a kid over an adult any day. After a three-day weekend, he is so excited to be back at school.”

Heimsoth, 58, and Sukha died this week after being shot, allegedly by Heimsoth’s husband Kevin, according to Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo.

Kevin Heimsoth, 56, then reportedly shot himself and remained hospitalized as of Friday, Dec. 27. He was under guard, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

A cat also was shot and killed in their condominium just west of Bellingham.

Elfo said Whatcom County Sheriff’s deputies found the Heimsoths when they were called to the Chartwell Estates condominium in the 900 block of Marine Drive around 10:28 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26, for a report of a murder-suicide.

Heimsoth had served as principal at Sunnyland Elementary since July 2017.

Sukha, a trained service dog, was known for being by her side.

Students would come to Heimsoth’s office during the day to read to Sukha as they practiced their literacy. They also fed and brushed him to learn about responsibilities and, therefore, leadership, according to the article.

When he was outside during recess, the students threw a ball for him. He helped calm students. Sukha put families at ease, including those who spoke languages other than English, and helped them connect with the principal.

“Sukha provides something that we can’t — unconditional love,” Heimsoth in the story on the website.

If you need help

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, you can contact the following local resources for free, confidential support:

▪ Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org.

▪ Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.

▪ Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips.

▪ WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence/.

▪ Brigid Collins Family Support Center: 360-734-4616, brigidcollins.org.

This story was originally published December 27, 2019 at 12:02 PM with the headline "Before dog was shot to death, Sukha gave ‘unconditional love’ at Sunnyland Elementary."

Kie Relyea

The Bellingham Herald

360-715-2234

Kie Relyea has been a reporter at The Bellingham Herald since 1997 and currently writes about social services and recreation in Whatcom County. She started her career in 1991 as a reporter and editor in Northern California.