Georgia General Assembly · Full text

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

Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action January 14, 2026 · Passed

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Senate Resolution 568

By: Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Payne of the 54th, Watson of the 1st, Hufstetler of the 52nd, Dickerson of the 21st and others

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing 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, Hughes Spalding Hospitals and the Zalik Behavioral and Mental Health Center; and

WHEREAS, Children's facility dogs bring joy, companionship, and love to our 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 SENATE that the members of this body recognize Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Canines For Kids Program. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Canines For Kids Program.