Proclamation Request - National Therapy Animal Day

[Victoria Clarke]

John Kefalas,


I’m writing today to introduce myself as one of your constituents and ask that you support a proclamation deeming April 30 "National Therapy Animal Day."

There is a growing body of research that demonstrates the wide variety of ways in which therapy animals can make a difference in our lives. They improve mental wellness by decreasing fear, anxiety, loneliness, and isolation. They also influence our physical health, lowering perceived levels of pain, shortening recovery times, and even influencing those who are ill to have a more positive outlook about their future. In addition to making us feel better, they can also help up learn by providing a source of motivation, stimulation and focus that has been shown to foster reading abilities including fluency and comprehension.

It would be wonderful if you could honor the therapy animal volunteers and their amazing animals by supporting a proclamation celebrating April 30 as "National Therapy Animal Day" in our community. I have provided some model language below. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Thank you,

Victoria Clarke
Fort Collins, CO
Email Address: victoriac...@gmail.com
Phone Number: 9704198520

MODEL PROCLAMATION

There are thousands of Pet Partners therapy animal teams serving in communities across the United States; and

WHEREAS, Pet Partners has designated April 30 as National Therapy Animal Day; and

WHEREAS, Pet Partners therapy animal teams in the Town of Fort Collins play an essential role in improving human health and well-being through the human-animal bond; and

WHEREAS, Pet Partners therapy animal teams make millions of visits per year in settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools and hospice; and

WHEREAS, Pet Partners therapy animal teams interact with a variety of people in our community including veterans, seniors, patients, students facing literacy challenges, and those approaching end of life; and

WHEREAS, these exceptional therapy animals who partner with their human companions bring comfort and healing to those in need.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ____________, Mayor of the Town of Fort Collins, do hereby proclaim April 30, 2023, as:

“National Therapy Animal Day”

in the Town of Fort Collins, and encourage our citizens to celebrate our therapy animals and their human handlers. Further, I publicly salute the service of therapy animal teams in our community and in communities across the nation.

PROCLAIMED AND APPROVED this 30th day of April, 2023.


cc: Representative Cathy Kipp
Colorado State Capitol
RM 307
200 East Colfax
Denver, CO
80203