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Healing with Paws: How Taiga the Therapy Dog Assists Children at Chicago Children's Advocacy Center

At the Chicago Children's Advocacy Center (ChicagoCAC), the mission is crystal clear: to provide support to children who have faced unimaginable trauma. With the recent addition of Taiga, a trained facility dog, the center is enhancing its ability to help these young victims. Taiga is a three-year-old golden retriever who has been specially trained to provide comfort and reassurance to children navigating their traumas.

Walking into ChicagoCAC can be daunting for any child. Many have come to share painful experiences of abuse, putting them in incredibly vulnerable positions. This is where Taiga shines, offering a gentle and calming presence. She often becomes a source of comfort, curling up next to the children during forensic interviews, helping them feel safe enough to share their stories. With a soft head to pet and a warm body to lean on, Taiga helps ease the anxiety that can accompany these distressing encounters.

Char Rivette, the CEO of ChicagoCAC, expressed her excitement by stating, "We are thrilled to welcome Taiga to our team. She brings comfort and joy to both our clients and staff, and we look forward to the calm and support she will provide during forensic interviews." This sentiment resonates deeply, especially considering the research showing how facility dogs can significantly lower children's physiological stress levels during interviews.

A controlled study which observed 51 children disclosed that those who were accompanied by a service-trained facility dog exhibited notably lower heart rates and blood pressure. This evidence highlights Taiga's critical role in not only providing emotional support but also in assisting children to communicate their experiences more openly and freely.

Taiga's presence extends beyond just companionship; she is integral to the care team at ChicagoCAC. Trained through the renowned organization Paws With A Cause, she meets the specific needs of children in distressing situations. Michele Suchovsky, the CEO of Paws With A Cause, emphasized this by saying, "As a PAWS Facility Dog, Taiga will provide support and strength to children during some of their most difficult moments. A gentle dog's presence can help children feel safe and understood, fostering an environment conducive to healing."

The introduction of Taiga at ChicagoCAC was made possible through the generous contributions of Virginia Seggerman. Her kindness not only made Taiga's arrival feasible but also laid the foundation for acquiring another therapy dog in the future, further expanding the center's capacity to provide comfort to children.

ChicagoCAC serves as the only advocacy center in the city dedicated to assisting children affected by abuse. Their approach brings together public, private, and community partners to ensure comprehensive support for these young victims. Their programs not only aim to minimize trauma but also help families heal—all delivered at no cost.

The impact of therapy dogs like Taiga on children's healing journeys cannot be overstated. In moments of vulnerability, having a four-legged friend by their side can ease fears and provide a kind of solace that is hard to replicate in other ways. The work done at ChicagoCAC, especially with the support of Taiga, embodies the understanding that healing can come in various forms—sometimes, it simply comes with four paws and a wagging tail. As the program expands and more children benefit from Taiga's support, the center holds great hope for future successes in their mission to heal and empower the young lives they serve.