Long-term care professionals in Minnesota are apologizing to the public this week, following abuse allegations against them in the Gopher State.

Local press detailed some of those allegations in a report last week, calling conditions that seniors experienced “horrific” and worse than a “doggy day care.” Gayle Kvenvold, CEO of LeadingAge Minnesota, apologized to the public for past incidents, according to TwinCites.com.

“To all the seniors and families whose lives have been impacted, in any way, by abuse or maltreatment, please know we share their hurt and their grief and are truly sorry for the heartbreaking experiences they have endured,” Kvenvold, told the state Senate’s aging and long-term care committee on Wednesday, according to the newspaper.

She, along with nine other leaders from the long-term care field, spoke before Minnesota elected officials this week. Up next, the state’s legislative auditor will release detailed findings from its investigation of the Office of Health Facility Complaints, which is accused of failing to properly oversee LTC providers.

That investigation stems from findings that just a small percentage of abuse complaints in Minnesota are investigated, and few are actually punished for those crimes, according to the paper. The governor has recommended “sweeping reforms” to long-term care oversight following that investigation, and during this week’s hearing, industry pros expressed openness to those reforms, according to TwinCities.com.