Lake County officials announced their newest team member, a two-year-old canine who will serve as a comfort dog for children during crime investigations.
The Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center (LCCAC) and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office announced Thursday the addition of Linden.
Linden will primarily serve as comfort and support to children during forensic interviews in criminal investigations.
The LCCAC’s mission is to provide a safe environment for child victims of sexual and physical abuse. The goal of the center is to investigate and help prosecute the offenders without further trauma to the child.
Linden is a two-year-old Labrador Retriever who was trained and donated to by Duo Dogs, Inc., according to the state’s attorney’s office.
Duo Dogs is a national non-profit organization that trains and connects dogs with people to cultivate positive change.
Linden has been assigned to the LCCAC and will be there until he turns 10 years old.
He has been partnered with handler Carrie Wings, who is the LCCAC’s Education and Outreach Specialist.
“Linden is wonderful. The most important thing is that we provide children with every comfort possible to help them while also making sure that our investigations are accurate and effective,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said.
“As a father of two and a dog owner myself, I have seen firsthand how important dogs can be in the lives of children,” Rinehart said.
Wings said she is pleased to welcome Linden to the LCCAC and the community.
“He has quickly become a member of our team and is already affecting those around him. Linden is a sweet and gentle boy,” Wings said.
“I am grateful that Linden was chosen for us and that he is here to help children through a difficult and trying time while providing comfort and ease. I look forward to seeing all the work he will do to make a difference in the life of a child, and I could not be more honored than to be a part of his journey,” Wings added.
Linden is the third dog that Duo Dogs has donated to the state’s attorney’s office.
The first dog, Mitchell, was previously assigned to the LCCAC prior to Linden and retired in July. Hitch, the second Duo Dog, retired last month.
LCCAC Executive Director Carrie Flanigan said dogs like Linden play an important role when it comes to engaging the community and alleviating the trauma associated with crimes against children.
“We are thrilled to welcome Linden as part of the LCCAC team. We have missed having Mitchell on site and we are excited to have already seen the difference Linden will make not only with the children he will assist, but also the team,” Flanigan said.
“These dogs make a tremendous difference in helping to regulate the emotions and fear associated with trauma. Linden will provide a much-needed calming effect to the families who walk through our doors,” Flanigan said.