2026 -- H 8493

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LC004542

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING APRIL 30, 2026, AS "NATIONAL THERAPY ANIMAL DAY" IN THE

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Handy, Chippendale, Fogarty,
Kennedy, Ajello, Phillips, Santucci, and Boylan

     Date Introduced: April 30, 2026

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, National Therapy Animal Day was created to recognize the exceptional

dogs, cats, and other animals that bring comfort, joy, and healing to those in need; and

     WHEREAS, Animal-assisted therapy is based on the unique bond that exists between

human beings and animals. Dogs and cats are most commonly used in pet therapy, however, fish,

guinea pigs, horses, and other animals are also used depending on the therapeutic goals of a

person's treatment plan; and

     WHEREAS, There are numerous therapeutic benefits that animals can provide, including

improvement in self-image and sense of competence, nurturing a sense of responsibility,

expressing feelings and distress through the animal, and developing curiosity and motivation to

learn, not to mention the endless hours of fun, warmth, and love; and

     WHEREAS, Many animals main goal is to love and please the humans in their lives,

often including total strangers. Animals frequently have the innate ability to detect emotions in

people from cues invisible to humans and many will instinctively comfort a person whom they

sense is in distress and in need of some extra attention; and

     WHEREAS, Whether professionally supervised or the casual and spontaneous interaction

between loving animals and folks in need, animal therapy is a powerful tool for improving

treatment outcomes and enhancing quality of life for many individuals; and

     WHEREAS, Promoting public awareness for animal therapy is an effective pathway

toward a friendlier, healthier and more peaceful world; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

commemorates "National Therapy Animal Day” and urges the Director of the Department of

Health and Human Services and all the citizens of Rhode Island to continue to appreciate,

promote, and advocate for the incomparably life-changing and life-sustaining benefits of the

human-animal bond; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of

Health and Human Services, Paws from the Heart Pet Therapy, and the Windwalker Humane

Coalition for Professional Pet Assisted Therapy.

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