Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center- Helping Children in Lake County

Speaker: Carrie Flanigan, Executive Director,Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center​; Michael Nerheim, State’s Attorney- Mitchell- LCCAC Facility Dog

The LCCAC is a Division of the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office and operates as a 501c3.  It has been in existence for 30 years.

Mitchell is our Courthouse Facility dog assigned to the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center. Mitchell was provided to the us by Duo. The Duo Court Room Dog program places dogs with therapists and adults as part of the forensic interview process when working with children who may have been mentally, physically, or sexually abused. The dogs are used as part of the forensic interview process to help gather information from the victim. The Forensic interviewer determines when it is appropriate for Mitchell to be included in the interview. When not in an interview, Mitchell provides comfort and support to our guests who are here at the Center. His role is to alleviate anxiety and provide a calming force. If necessary and when appropriate, the dog can accompany the victim to court to testimony if needed. Mitchell helps to keep the child calm, and grounded.

Host: Jim Gregory