Assembly Resolution No. 350

BY: M. of A. Malliotakis

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
April 30, 2017, as Therapy Animal Day in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize an
official day that is 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 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 30, 2017, as
Therapy Amimal 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; it also
works to raise awareness and educate the public about the significant
role these animals play in enhancing the health of humans; and

WHEREAS, Therapy animals and their handlers can be found helping
people of all ages in a variety of different settings including
hospitals, pediatric care units, schools, and nursing homes; some of the
animals used in therapy include domesticated pets, farm animals, and
marine mammals; 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, Furthermore, therapy animals have helped numerous war-time
veterans in making the difficult transition from serving bravely 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 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 30, 2017, 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 Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.