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

Assembly Resolution No. 1205

BY: M. of A. DeStefano

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

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
within  our  midst  who  have  contributed to the quality of life of the
citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS, This  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to  memorialize
Governor  Kathy  Hochul  to  proclaim  September  2026 as Service Animal
Appreciation Month in  the  State  of  New  York,  in  conjunction  with
National Service Dog Month; and

  WHEREAS,  September 20th is typically recognized as National Service
Dog Awareness/Appreciation Day; and

  WHEREAS, Service dogs are incredible working dogs  who  help  people
with disabilities live more independently; and

  WHEREAS,  Service  dogs  are  trained to complete a variety of tasks
such as picking up a dropped cell phone at the park or handing a  credit
card  to  the  cashier  at the grocery store; some service dogs can even
awaken a  person  from  a  nightmare  caused  by  post-traumatic  stress
disorder  (PTSD);  others  can alert a deaf individual when the doorbell
rings; and

  WHEREAS, At Canine Companions, specially bred puppies  are  born  in
the  care  of  volunteer  breeder caretakers; they learn critical social
skills that help them become well-mannered puppies, and they are exposed
to different surfaces, sounds, and the affection of humans; and

  WHEREAS, Once the puppies turn eight weeks old, they spend the  next
16  to 18 months with volunteer puppy raisers who dedicate their time to
socializing and caring for them;  they  are  exposed  to  a  variety  of
different  experiences and situations, and they develop necessary skills
for real-life situations; and

  WHEREAS, The dogs then spend six to nine  months  with  professional
instructors  at  one of the Canine Companions regional training centers;
during this time,  they  learn  up  to  45  different  tasks  that  help
individuals  with disabilities live with greater independence; some dogs
change careers and become therapy dogs or emotional support dogs; and

  WHEREAS, Each dog is carefully matched with  a  client  whose  needs
best fit the dog's skills and temperament after which the client and dog
spend  two  weeks  at  Team  Training where they learn to work together,
graduating as one; and

  WHEREAS, As official service dogs, these incredible canines bond and
help their partners lead with greater  independence;  Canine  Companions
supports and provides follow-up services for the life of the team; and

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative Body acknowledges and honors all service
dogs within the State of New York  during  Service  Animal  Appreciation
Month,  recognizing  the  invaluable  importance of these companions who
ensure the independence and security of individuals who are impaired  or
suffering from various disorders; now, therefore, be it

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