The Center for Child Protection is the first stop for children in Travis County who are suspected victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect, and for children who have witnessed a violent crime. One of the Center's programs, the Canine Courtroom Accompaniment Program, provides a highly trained canine companion to offer comfort and support for children who must testify in court. While in the courtroom, the dog never leaves the client’s side. As the Center shared in their grant request, “While the child is on the stand, [the dog] often places her head in their lap, as if to say ‘I am here.’” The $6,800 grant from Girls Giving Grants to the Center for Child Protection was earmarked to help fund the Center’s new therapy dog, Mickler, a golden retriever/yellow lab who is a year-and-a-half old. The grant will be used for training, veterinary care, and supplies for Mickler.