HR 376: HOPE AACR (Animal-Assisted Crisis Response); commend

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honoring HOPE AACR (Animal-Assisted Crisis Response), a nonprofit organization founded in 2001 that sends trained handlers and crisis-response dogs to support people affected by disasters and crises. The resolution describes the organization's training in areas like the Incident Command System, first aid, and trauma recognition, and its work alongside agencies such as FEMA, the American Red Cross, and the Georgia National Guard. It notes the group's response to hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton and its volunteer hours logged in the Southeast in 2024. The resolution does not change any Georgia law; it directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to the organization.

• Formally recognizes and commends the volunteers and canines of HOPE AACR for their crisis-response work.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to HOPE AACR.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a symbolic statement of praise from the House.

The resolution directly names HOPE AACR, its volunteer handlers and crisis-response dogs. It has no legal effect on the general public, state agencies, or any regulated industry since it is a ceremonial statement rather than a law.

Because this is a commendation rather than legislation, it does not change any rights, funding, or obligations for Georgians. Its practical effect is limited to publicly recognizing a nonprofit's disaster-response volunteers through an official House document.

• The resolution's 'whereas' clauses describe HOPE AACR's founding, mission, training, and partner agencies such as FEMA, the American Red Cross, and the Coast Guard.
• The resolved clause states the House recognizes and commends HOPE AACR's volunteers and canines for their service.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute a copy of the resolution to HOPE AACR.

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
• nonprofit recognition
• commendation resolution
• animal-assisted therapy