SR200: SR200 HOPE AACR (Animal-Assisted Crisis Response); recognize

This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate rather than a change to state law. It recognizes HOPE AACR (Animal-Assisted Crisis Response), a nonprofit founded in 2001 that trains handlers and canines to provide emotional support during crises and disasters, working alongside agencies like FEMA, the American Red Cross, and local fire and law enforcement departments. The resolution highlights the group's response to hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton, including deployments to Florida's State Operations Center and support for FEMA's regional coordination center in Atlanta, plus assistance to communities in South Georgia. It notes that in 2024 the group's Southeast Region logged about 150 volunteer hours and 1,200 interactions with Georgia disaster victims. The Senate formally commends the organization's volunteers and dogs and directs that a copy of the resolution be given to HOPE AACR.

• Formally recognizes and commends HOPE AACR's volunteers and crisis-response canines for their service to disaster victims.
• States the Georgia Senate's appreciation for the group's work supporting communities affected by hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to HOPE AACR.
• Does not create any new law, funding, or regulatory requirement, since it is a ceremonial resolution rather than legislation.

The resolution directly names HOPE AACR (Animal-Assisted Crisis Response), its volunteer handlers and crisis-response dogs, and by extension the disaster relief agencies it partners with, including FEMA, the American Red Cross, and local fire and law enforcement departments in Georgia.

The resolution carries no legal or financial effect; it does not change any Georgia law, create funding, or impose requirements. Its practical impact is symbolic, giving public recognition to a volunteer disaster-response organization and its work supporting Georgians after emergencies like recent hurricanes.

• The whereas clauses describe HOPE AACR's founding as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2001 and its mission of animal-assisted crisis support.
• The resolution notes the group's training in the Incident Command System, First Aid/CPR, and trauma recognition for both handlers and canines.
• It cites specific deployments after hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton, including work at Florida's State Operations Center and FEMA's Region IV center in Atlanta.
• The resolving clause formally commends HOPE AACR's volunteers and canines and wishes them continued success.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to HOPE AACR.

1. 2025-02-19Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-02-18Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)Primary sponsor
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)

• disaster relief
• animal-assisted crisis response
• Georgia Senate resolution
• hurricane recovery
• volunteer organizations