Abused children in central Illinois who seek help through the Children's Advocacy Centers could be greeted and assisted through the process by a dog.

The Children's Advocacy Centers serve DeWitt, McLean and Livingston Counties, and their Executive Director, Judy Brucker, explains they have applied to have a dog join their staff as a way for their kids to find relief.

By the time an agency like the Children's Advocacy Centers acquire the dogs, they are two years old and have gone through extensive training. Brucker also notes the dogs handler has to go through extensive training as well.

The Child Protection Network, the fundraising arm of the CAC, has approved the agency to send a staff member to go through a two week process to train with the dog. Brucker indicates there will be a couple caregivers for their potential dog.

Brucker indicates the application process was very extensive. She says not only was the agency's end of things extensive, but they had to designate a person in their office to handle the dog, who then had to go through a very extensive background check.

According to Brucker, the Child Protection Network has also agreed to provide things like food and vet care for a year but she hope to find private funds at the same time.

Brucker hopes they could get the dog this year however, the push for these types of dogs in offices across the state are very popular.

She notes, currenlty, only dog is in service in Illinois.