Senate Resolution No. 2281

BY: Senator MURRAY

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
September 2026 as Service Dog Month in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, Service dogs provide critical assistance, independence,
safety, and companionship to individuals living with physical
disabilities, sensory impairments, post-traumatic stress disorder,
autism spectrum disorders, seizure disorders, diabetes, and other
medical conditions; and

WHEREAS, Highly trained service dogs perform essential tasks,
including guiding individuals who are blind or visually impaired,
alerting individuals who are deaf or hearing impaired, detecting medical
emergencies, assisting with mobility, interrupting psychiatric episodes,
and enhancing the daily lives of their handlers; and

WHEREAS, The partnership between a service dog and its handler
fosters dignity, confidence, self-sufficiency, and fuller participation
in community life, employment, education, and civic engagement; and

WHEREAS, The training, placement, and support of service dogs are
made possible through the tireless efforts of nonprofit organizations,
trainers, volunteers, puppy raisers, veterinarians, and advocates
dedicated to improving the lives of New Yorkers with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, National Service Dog Month is observed each September to
recognize the extraordinary contributions of service dogs, raise public
awareness regarding the rights and responsibilities associated with
service animals, and encourage support for the organizations that
provide these invaluable services; and

WHEREAS, Increased public understanding of service dogs can help
reduce discrimination, improper denial of access, and confusion
regarding the distinction between trained service animals and untrained
pets or emotional support animals; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 2026 as Service
Dog Month 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.