American Humane Association Hero Dog Day

WHEREAS, America has been defined in part by its heroes; and

WHEREAS, America’s human heroes and first-responders have been well-served by search and rescue dogs, law enforcement and arson-detection dogs, and military dogs that risk their own lives to save human ones by detecting bombs and other explosives with loyalty and courage; and

WHEREAS, service dogs trained to help the blind, the hearing impaired, people in wheelchairs or people needing alerts to other medical conditions that could create medical emergencies have worked tirelessly and obediently to support their owners; and

WHEREAS, some of America’s pet dogs, though untrained in special skills, have performed extraordinary acts of kindness, comfort or service in innovative roles including comforting children hospitalized with cancer, the elderly in nursing homes and veterans suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim October 6, 2012 as

American Humane Association Hero Dog Day

in the state of Alabama, and encourage citizens to pay tribute to the contributions made by America’s dogs and to honor the human-animal bond that creates a more caring, compassionate society.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 6th day of October 2012.

 

      

Robert Bentley, Governor