LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim April 30, 2016, as Therapy Animal Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize an offi-
cial 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 memorial-
ize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 30, 2016, 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 hospi-
tals, 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: Therapeu-
tic 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 tremen-
dous 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. 2016, as
Therapy Animal Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.