Georgia General Assembly · Full text

HR 1031: Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's facility dogs and their Canines For Kids Program; commend

Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action January 15, 2026 · Passed

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House Resolution 1031

By: Representatives Cooper of the 45th, Dempsey of the 13th, Taylor of the 173rd, and Fleming of the 114th

A RESOLUTION

Commending Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's facility dogs and their Canines For Kids Program; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is Georgia's leading pediatric healthcare provider and cares for kids from all 159 counties in the state; and

WHEREAS, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Canines For Kids Program was established in 2009, the first program of its kind in the country; and

WHEREAS, facility dogs undergo a comprehensive and intensive training process for a duration of 18 months; and

WHEREAS, each hospital-based facility dog has a Children's employee handler who is responsible for caring and managing the dog; and

WHEREAS, the facility dogs and trained handlers work as a team to provide comfort, support, and distraction for young patients during procedures and hospitalizations; and

WHEREAS, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta employs 16 full-time facility dogs at the Arthur M. Blank, Scottish Rite, and Hughes Spalding hospitals as well as the Zalik Behavioral and Mental Health Center; and

WHEREAS, Children's facility dogs provide joy, companionship, and love for countless patients, families, and staff; and

WHEREAS, Canines For Kids is a goal-directed program that helps patients cope, heal, and achieve treatment goals to ensure Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is doing everything possible to make anything possible for kids.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Canines For Kids Program and extend best wishes for continued success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.