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.