When driving on Marengo Road, a “little red barn with a big heart” may attract your eye.

The barn, also known as The Light Center, located in Union, is a therapeutic learning facility for special needs and at-risk children.

Janet Cederlund, executive director, and her staff work with about 200 kids per year and have worked with over 1,000 kids since incorporating in 1999. The center does not receive state or federal funding, so donations play an important role in maintaining the programs and animals, Cederlund said.

This year, the center will not be holding its large, annual fundraiser, but instead, will focus on building its programs and activities. The center will hold its inaugural Dog Show, a small fundraiser, starting at 8:30 a.m. on April 14th at the indoor Paddock Hills Equestrian Center (across from The Light Center). Fourteen events and four age divisions will be available for the family event at a cost of $6 per event or at a family rate of $30 for all day events.

“It will not be a formal dog show, but is strictly for fun,” Cederlund said. “Your dog may win “The Sweetest Dog,” or “The Oldest Dog”—there are a lot of categories, and it’s going to be a good time.”

Diane Wlezien, program coordinator and instructional team leader said the center will award donated trophies, dog collars and dog treat baskets to the winners.

Though the Light Center is not an animal rescue agency, between 30 and 40 rescued animals are used as key tools in the center’s program. The farm holds several animal stalls and horse barns with animals such as horses, donkeys, a miniature dwarf horse, sheep, goats, bunnies, ducks and chickens.

Programs are centered in and around the 2,000-square-foot adaptive barn facility. Children also harvest the 9,600-square-foot organic garden within the property. The center wants to create a duck pond and sensory garden to incorporate into their programming, Cederlund said.

The center began an adopt-an-animal program this year, where individuals or  groups can adopt an animal for a year through a suggested donation. The donations will be used towards the animal’s needs at the center, and all animals can be sponsored.

Though the center is not a riding facility, Cederlund said the most popular program is the Equine Assisted Skills Development Program, which uses horses as the primary means to help the children.

Wlezien said the center also works with many kids that have abuse or neglect issues in their lives.

“The animals are the real therapists here,” she said. “There’s that unconditional love they can give that the kids (sometimes feel) they can’t get anywhere else.”

As for future plans, Cederlund said the center is looking to merge or share office space with any interested, non-for-profit organization that may want to utilize Light Center programs.

“By no means does that mean we are closing or even intending to shut down our program,” Cederlund said. “We’re looking to expand, and we’re thinking this might be a good way.”

The Light Center is located at 17421 Marengo Road in Union. For more information, call (815) 923-2613 or visit www.TLCinUnion.org.