SR 568: Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's facility dogs and their Canines For Kids Program; recognize

This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate. It does not change any law. Instead, it recognizes Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, described as the state's leading pediatric healthcare provider, and its Canines For Kids Program, which began in 2009 as the first program of its kind in the country. The resolution describes how facility dogs go through an 18 month training process and are paired with a Children's Healthcare of Atlanta employee handler. The dogs and handlers work together to comfort and support young patients during procedures and hospital stays. The resolution notes that 16 full-time facility dogs currently serve at the Arthur M. Blank, Scottish Rite, and Hughes Spalding Hospitals and the Zalik Behavioral and Mental Health Center. The Senate directs its Secretary to send a copy of the resolution to the program.

• Formally recognizes Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Canines For Kids Program on behalf of the Georgia Senate.
• States facts about the program, including its 2009 founding, 18 month dog training process, and use of employee handlers.
• Notes that 16 full-time facility dogs currently work across four Children's Healthcare of Atlanta facilities.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the program.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement.

This resolution primarily affects Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and its Canines For Kids Program, including staff handlers and the facility dogs themselves. It also symbolically touches young patients and families served at the Arthur M. Blank, Scottish Rite, and Hughes Spalding Hospitals and the Zalik Behavioral and Mental Health Center.

Because this is a ceremonial resolution, it does not alter anyone's legal rights, funding, or obligations. Its practical effect is limited to formal recognition and a distributed copy honoring the hospital program, rather than any change to how the program or hospital operates.

• The whereas clauses describe Children's Healthcare of Atlanta as Georgia's leading pediatric provider serving all 159 counties.
• The resolution states the Canines For Kids Program started in 2009 as the first of its kind nationally.
• It notes facility dogs train for 18 months and are paired with a Children's employee handler responsible for their care.
• It states 16 full-time facility dogs currently serve at four named facilities.
• The resolved clause formally recognizes the program on behalf of the Senate.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the program.

1. 2026-01-14Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-01-13Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)Primary sponsor
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)
• Jason T. Dickerson (R, SD-021)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)
• Frank Ginn (R, SD-047)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• Jaha Howard (D, SD-035)
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)

• pediatric healthcare
• therapy dogs
• Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
• Georgia Senate resolutions