HR376: HR376 HOPE AACR (Animal-Assisted Crisis Response); commend

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honors HOPE AACR (Animal-Assisted Crisis Response), a nonprofit founded in 2001 that provides comfort to people affected by crises and disasters using trained handlers and canines. The resolution recounts the group's training in incident command, first aid, and trauma recognition, and its partnerships with agencies such as FEMA, the American Red Cross, and local fire and law enforcement departments. It specifically notes the organization's work after hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton, including deployments in Tallahassee and Atlanta and assistance to communities in South Georgia, along with volunteer hours logged in 2024. The resolution formally commends the group's volunteers and dogs and directs the Clerk of the House to send them a copy of the resolution. It does not change any Georgia law.

• Formally recognizes and commends the volunteers and canines of HOPE AACR for their disaster response work.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to HOPE AACR.
• Extends the House's best wishes for the organization's continued success.
• Creates no new law, funding, or requirement; it is a ceremonial statement of the House's position.

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

The resolution has no legal effect and changes no Georgia statute, but it gives official public recognition from the state legislature to a volunteer organization's disaster relief work, which can raise the group's visibility and support its community partnerships.

• The preamble (WHEREAS clauses) describes HOPE AACR's founding in 2001 as a 501(c)(3) and its mission of animal-assisted crisis support.
• Details the training required of response teams, including the Incident Command System, first aid/CPR, and trauma recognition.
• Lists the agencies HOPE AACR works with, including FEMA, the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, and branches of the military.
• Cites specific 2024 disaster response activity, including deployments after hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton and nearly 150 volunteer hours logged in the Southeast Region.
• The resolved clause formally commends HOPE AACR's volunteers and canines and wishes them continued success.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to the organization.

1. 2025-02-24House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-02-24House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-24House Hopper (House)

• Matthew Gambill (R, HD-015)Primary sponsor
• Johnny Chastain (R, HD-007)
• Kasey Carpenter (R, HD-004)
• Sharon Cooper (R, HD-045)
• Katie Dempsey (R, HD-013)

• disaster response
• animal-assisted crisis response
• volunteer organizations
• commendation resolution