08-R013
2008 -- S 2035
Enacted 01/09/08
S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING THE
SECOND TUESDAY IN JANUARY IN PERPETUITY TO BE
"PROFESSIONAL
PET ASSISTED THERAPY AWARENESS DAY" IN THE STATE OF
RHODE ISLAND
Introduced By: Senator John
J. Tassoni
Date Introduced: January
09, 2008
WHEREAS,
Professional Pet Assisted Therapy (PAT) programs have enhanced the lives
of
thousands of Rhode Islanders. Credentialed PAT guardians and their credentialed
family
therapy
pets are making positive changes for many Rhode Islanders at hospitals,
schools, nursing
homes
and other facilities; and
WHEREAS,
Nationally, Rhode Island is fast becoming the seat of professional pet
assisted
therapy programs; and
WHEREAS,
Locally, the D.J. Professional Pet Assisted Therapy Certificate Program has
been
running successfully at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) for eleven
years;
and
WHEREAS,
The Windwalker Humane Coalition for Professional Pet Assisted Therapy
has
been advocating for the role of animals in all our lives since 1995, and has
provided a major
positive
influence through credentialing PAT teams, initiating legislation, and
countless other
initiatives
and activities; and
WHEREAS,
Professional pet assisted therapy leads to a healthier and more productive
life
by assisting with programs that deal with drug prevention, violence prevention,
enhanced
self-esteem,
and by aiding with the accomplishment of treatment goals; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
hereby
proclaims the second Tuesday in January in perpetuity to be "Professional
Pet Assisted
Therapy
Awareness Day" in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit
duly certified copies of this resolution to the D.J. Professional Pet Assisted
Therapy
Program
at the Community College of Rhode Island, and the Windwalker Humane Coalition.
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LC00550
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