| 1 | 1 | | SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 267 |
|---|
| 2 | 2 | | WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
|---|
| 3 | 3 | | recognize the staff and volunteers of the Austin Dog Alliance for |
|---|
| 4 | 4 | | their commitment to improving lives in Central Texas; and |
|---|
| 5 | 5 | | WHEREAS, Since 2006, the Austin Dog Alliance has been |
|---|
| 6 | 6 | | promoting the health and wellness of Central Texas families and |
|---|
| 7 | 7 | | individuals through therapeutic programs that incorporate the |
|---|
| 8 | 8 | | powerful connection between dogs and humans; and |
|---|
| 9 | 9 | | WHEREAS, Studies show that physical contact with pets has |
|---|
| 10 | 10 | | many benefits for humans, including lowered blood pressure, |
|---|
| 11 | 11 | | improved survival rates for heart attack victims, and the release |
|---|
| 12 | 12 | | of pain-relieving endorphins in the body; the Austin Dog Alliance |
|---|
| 13 | 13 | | facilitates a range of specialized programs that utilize these |
|---|
| 14 | 14 | | benefits to meet the varying needs of clients; and |
|---|
| 15 | 15 | | WHEREAS, Pet therapy, or animal-assisted therapy, connects |
|---|
| 16 | 16 | | trained animals and handlers with patients to help them meet |
|---|
| 17 | 17 | | specific physical, cognitive, and emotional goals; Bow Wow |
|---|
| 18 | 18 | | Reading Dogs help at-risk students learn to read by serving as |
|---|
| 19 | 19 | | nonjudgmental listeners while the students read aloud; the |
|---|
| 20 | 20 | | Hounds for Heroes initiative provides veterans with specially |
|---|
| 21 | 21 | | trained service dogs who perform specific tasks to help their |
|---|
| 22 | 22 | | human partners lead more normal lives; Special Dogs for Special |
|---|
| 23 | 23 | | Needs are selected from local shelters and trained as emotional |
|---|
| 24 | 24 | | support dogs or service dogs for people with disabilities; the |
|---|
| 25 | 25 | | S+CORE program provides vocational training in dog handling and |
|---|
| 26 | 26 | | care to young adults with disabilities and helps these students |
|---|
| 27 | 27 | | with job placement; and |
|---|
| 28 | 28 | | WHEREAS, Through its many programs of service, the Austin |
|---|
| 29 | 29 | | Dog Alliance has made a difference in the lives of countless |
|---|
| 30 | 30 | | Texans, and the volunteers and staff of the organization are |
|---|
| 31 | 31 | | indeed deserving of recognition for their exemplary work on |
|---|
| 32 | 32 | | behalf of their fellow citizens; now, therefore, be it |
|---|
| 33 | 33 | | RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th |
|---|
| 34 | 34 | | Legislature, hereby commend all those associated with the Austin |
|---|
| 35 | 35 | | Dog Alliance for their outstanding contributions to the |
|---|
| 36 | 36 | | community and extend to them best wishes for continued success; |
|---|
| 37 | 37 | | and, be it further |
|---|
| 38 | 38 | | RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
|---|
| 39 | 39 | | the alliance as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. |
|---|
| 40 | 40 | | Schwertner |
|---|
| 41 | 41 | | ________________________________ |
|---|
| 42 | 42 | | President of the Senate |
|---|
| 43 | 43 | | I hereby certify that the |
|---|
| 44 | 44 | | above Resolution was adopted by |
|---|
| 45 | 45 | | the Senate on February 22, 2017. |
|---|
| 46 | 46 | | ________________________________ |
|---|
| 47 | 47 | | Secretary of the Senate |
|---|
| 48 | 48 | | ________________________________ |
|---|
| 49 | 49 | | Member, Texas Senate |
|---|