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

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.