HR0224LRB103 32035 LAW 60924 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Therapy animals provide comfort, joy, and a sense
3of well-being to individuals in hospitals, nursing homes,
4schools, and other settings; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Therapy animals include dogs, cats, horses,
6rabbits, birds, and other animals that are specially trained
7to provide affection, support, and therapeutic benefits to
8individuals in need; and
 
9    WHEREAS, There is a growing body of research on therapy
10animals that demonstrates the wide variety of ways in which
11they can make a difference in our lives; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Therapy animals improve mental wellness by
13decreasing fear, anxiety, loneliness, and isolation; they
14influence our physical health through lowering perceived
15levels of pain, shortening recovery times, and even
16influencing those of us who are ill to have a more positive
17outlook about their future; and
 
18    WHEREAS, In addition to making us feel better, therapy
19animals can also help us learn by providing a source of
20motivation, stimulation, and focus that has been shown to
21foster reading abilities, including fluency and comprehension,

 

 

HR0224- 2 -LRB103 32035 LAW 60924 r

1by giving those in need confidence to explore, socialize, and
2succeed; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Therapy Animal Day is a day to recognize and
4honor the dedication and hard work of therapy animals, their
5handlers, and the organizations that support their efforts;
6and
 
7    WHEREAS, Therapy Animal Day is an opportunity to raise
8awareness about the importance of therapy animals and their
9positive impact on individuals with physical, emotional, and
10cognitive disabilities; therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
12HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
13we declare April 30, 2023 as Illinois Therapy Animal Day as a
14way to recognize and honor therapy animal volunteers and their
15amazing animals; and be it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That we encourage all citizens of Illinois to
17recognize the important contributions of therapy animals and
18to support the organizations that train and provide these
19animals to individuals in need.