By Adam Studzinski
BLOOMINGTON – There’s a new dog on duty at the McLean County Children’s Advocacy Center.
Joch is a two-year-old black labrador retriever who CAC Executive Director Judy Brucker said will primarily be easing children’s anxiety when they are at the center.
“If, throughout the case, the child is going to be coming to the center on a regular basis it gives them something to look forward to,” she said.
Brucker added the dog will also be available to comfort children in the courtroom should they have to testify. A new Illinois law allows facility dogs to be in the courtroom for child abuse victims.
“Best practice research shows that kids do well if they are feeling comforted at a time when they are anxious and they’ve experienced some sort of trauma,” Brucker said.
The Child Protection Network provided $10,700 to help bring Joch to the county. To Brucker’s knowledge, knowledge, Lake and Will counties are so far the only other Illinois counties to bring in this type of dog.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.
