| R 285 |
| 2026 -- H 8493 Enacted 04/30/2026 |
| 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 |
| 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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| LC004542 |
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