K 397: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 30, 2025, as Therapy Animal Day in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 397 BY: M. of A. Tague MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 30, 2025, as Therapy Animal Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days that are set aside to appreciate the service, companionship, loyalty, and medical benefits therapeutic animals bring to the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 30, 2025, as Therapy Animal Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Therapy Animal Day; and WHEREAS, National Therapy Animal Day was created by Pet Partners to recognize all of the exceptional therapy animals who partner with their human companions to bring comfort and healing to those in need; and WHEREAS, Therapy animals and their handlers can be found helping people of all ages in a variety of settings including hospitals, pediatric care units, schools, nursing homes and assisted living facilities; and WHEREAS, With a goal to recognize and honor therapy animals, National Therapy Animal Day also raises awareness and educates the public about the role therapy animals play in enhancing the health and well-being of humans; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, this vital commemoration honors the thousands of dedicated handlers who volunteer their time and compassion during visits; and WHEREAS, The primary purpose of therapy animals is to provide affection and comfort; these kind and compassionate animals are most often privately owned and tend to visit facilities on a regular basis; and WHEREAS, Dedicated to helping people with a wide variety of problems, therapy animals can be classified into three different types: Therapeutic Visitation Animals are household pets whose owners bring them to care facilities; Animal Assisted Therapy Animals assist physical and occupational therapists at rehabilitation centers; and Facility Therapy Animals primarily work in nursing homes for the purpose of helping patients with Alzheimer's disease and mental illness; and WHEREAS, Visits by therapy animals in an outpatient setting can provide many patients with significant reductions in pain and emotional distress; these visits have also been proven to give family members and friends of patients a sense of comfort and well-being; and WHEREAS, Additionally, therapy animals have helped numerous wartime veterans in making the difficult transition from bravely serving in our military to returning to life in the civilian world; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those extraordinary therapy animals and their handlers who demonstrate tremendous care and compassion by bringing comfort and healing to those in need; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 30, 2025, as Therapy Animal Day in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.