Commemorating April 30, 2026, as "National Therapy Animal Day" in the State of Rhode Island

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.