HOUSE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING APRIL 30, 2025, AS "NATIONAL THERAPY ANIMAL DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Edith Ajello and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island designates April 30, 2025 as National Therapy Animal Day to raise awareness and support for animal-assisted therapy and the human-animal bond.

05/01/2025 House read and passed

HR 6297 — National Therapy Animal Day (Rhode Island)

Overview

Type: House Resolution (non-binding)

Purpose: Commemorate April 30, 2025 as “National Therapy Animal Day” in the State of Rhode Island and encourage public awareness and support for animal-assisted therapy.

Status: Introduced May 1, 2025; House read and passed on May 1, 2025.

What the bill would do

Designation: Proclaims April 30, 2025 as National Therapy Animal Day within Rhode Island.

Public awareness: Urges the Rhode Island Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and all Rhode Island residents to appreciate, promote, and advocate for the benefits of the human-animal bond and animal-assisted therapy.

Formal transmission: Directs the Secretary of State to transmit certified copies of the resolution to the Director of DHHS and to identified therapy organizations.

Background and rationale (as stated in the resolution)

National Therapy Animal Day is meant to recognize dogs, cats, and other animals that provide comfort, joy, and healing.

Animal-assisted therapy leverages the human-animal bond to improve well-being, learning, and quality of life; animals can include dogs, cats, fish, guinea pigs, horses, and others depending on therapeutic goals.

The resolution highlights a range of potential benefits, including enhanced self-image, responsibility, emotional expression, curiosity, motivation to learn, and general well-being.

Promoting awareness of animal therapy is framed as contributing to a friendlier, healthier, and more peaceful society.

Key provisions

Recognition: Commemorates National Therapy Animal Day in Rhode Island.

Advocacy: Encourages ongoing appreciation, promotion, and advocacy for animal-assisted therapy and the human-animal bond.

Communications: authorizes the Secretary of State to deliver certified copies of the resolution to:

Director, Rhode Island Department of Health and Human Services
Paws from the Heart Pet Therapy
Windwalker Humane Coalition for Professional Pet Assisted Therapy

Affected parties

Rhode Island state government (DHHS, Secretary of State)

Members and supporters of therapy-animal organizations (e.g., Paws from the Heart Pet Therapy; Windwalker Humane Coalition for Professional Pet Assisted Therapy)

Rhode Island residents and communities engaged in or benefiting from animal-assisted therapy

Procedural and timeline notes

Introduced and immediately advanced through the House on May 1, 2025 (status indicates “House read and passed” the same day).

As a resolution, it expresses commemorative sentiment and advocacy rather than creating new law or fiscal obligations.

Potential impact

Raises public awareness of the role of therapy animals in health, education, and quality of life.

May foster partnerships among DHHS, healthcare providers, and therapy-organization networks.

Non-binding nature means no funding or regulatory changes are enacted by this resolution; any subsequent programs would require separate legislation or administrative action.