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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
PROCLAIMING APRIL 30, 2025, AS "NATIONAL THERAPY ANIMAL DAY" IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
WHEREAS, National Therapy Animal Day was created by Pet Partners to celebrate the exceptional therapy animals who partner with their human companions to bring comfort and healing to those in need; and
WHEREAS, Pet Partners has designated April 30 as National Therapy Animal Day; and
WHEREAS, Pet Partners is the national leader in demonstrating and promoting the benefits of animal assisted therapy, activities, and education; and
WHEREAS, there are thousands of Pet Partners therapy animal teams serving in communities across the United States, including in Cook County, and they play an essential role in improving human health and well-being through the human-animal bond; and
WHEREAS, Pet Partners therapy animal teams make millions of visits each year to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries, and hospice care settings, assisting a diverse cross section of the community including veterans, seniors, patients, students facing literacy challenges, and those approaching end of life; and
WHEREAS, pet therapy is proven to have a myriad of health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, and lowered blood pressure, irritability, and stress; and
WHEREAS, studies have shown that therapy animals also benefit from their work, noting that therapy dogs displayed higher rates of endorphins and oxytocin than average family pets; and
WHEREAS, in celebrating National Therapy Animal Day we also recognize the dedicated human handlers, who undertake extensive training with their therapy animal partners, and who generously volunteer their time and compassion; and
WHEREAS, we encourage more pet owners to consider becoming Pet Partners volunteers to help our community by creating greater access to meaningful therapy animal visits; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby celebrate the extraordinary servi...
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