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

25 LC 129 0167 Senate Resolution 200 By: Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Payne of the 54th, Parent of the 44th, Albers of the 56th and Orrock of the 36th A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending HOPE AACR (Animal-Assisted Crisis Re sponse); and for1 other purposes.2 WHEREAS, HOPE AACR (Animal-Assisted Crisis Response) was incorp orated as a3 501(c)(3) in 2001 with the mission of providing comfort and encouragement to individuals4 affected by crises and disasters through animal-assisted support; and5 WHEREAS, consisting of highly trained handlers and crisis-response canines, HOPE AACR6 teams are prepared to support mental health professionals on lo cation and adapt to7 unpredictable situations, often deploying on short notice; and8 WHEREAS, HOPE AACR response teams are extensively trained in the Incident Command9 System, First Aid/CPR for both humans and canines, emotional fi rst aid techniques, and10 trauma recognition, enabling them to respond effectively to emotionally and environmentally11 intense situations; and12 WHEREAS, the organization's teams work alongside local and national response agencies13 such as Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster, FEMA, the National Organization for14 Victim Advocacy, the Salvation Army, and the American Red Cross as well as with fire15 S. R. 200 - 1 - 25 LC 129 0167 departments, law enforcement agencies, schools, and the United States Secret Service, Coast16 Guard, Navy, and National Guard; and17 WHEREAS, in the aftermath of hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Mil ton, HOPE AACR18 response teams deployed to the Florida State Operations Center in Tallahassee, supported19 staff working at the FEMA Region IV Regional Response Coordination Center in Atlanta,20 and assisted impacted communities in South Georgia; and21 WHEREAS, in 2024 alone, HOPE AACR's Southeast Region logged close to 150 volunteer22 hours and engaged in 1,200 meaningful interactions with Georgia disaster victims; and23 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this outstand ing organization be24 appropriately honored. 25 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body26 recognize and commend the volunteers and canines of HOPE AACR (Animal-Assisted Crisis27 Response) for their dedicated, effective, and selfless service on behalf of those in need as28 well as extend best wishes for continued success.29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed30 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for di stribution to HOPE AACR31 (Animal-Assisted Crisis Response).32 S. R. 200 - 2 -