Lauren Ecker and her dog, The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) will create a course and certification program for law enforcement therapy dog teams under Senate Bill 1491, signed into law Aug. 1.
Effective Jan. 1, 2026, ILETSB will train officers and their therapy dogs for crisis and emergency response, aiming to provide comfort and stress relief to people during critical incidents and to support officer wellness.
The program will also establish a mutual-aid network so certified teams can be deployed where they’re needed most.
Officials say the initiative builds on existing crisis intervention efforts. More details on curriculum and rollout will be posted in the coming months at ptb.illinois.gov.
