Foreground: Brendan Madden is on the left is dressed in a dark suit and is holding one side of a blue folder with an official-looking gold seal.
 Deaglan McEachern is on the right, also in a suit and tie, is holding the other side of the folder. Both are smiling slightly, suggesting a ceremonial or official presentation.
 Background: Several people are seated behind a long wooden desk, resembling a city council or government meeting setup.
 The room has beige walls, a reddish-brown ceiling, and official decor, including a large circular seal on the wall and a portrait of a man in historical attire.
 There is also a staircase and elevated platform on the left side of the room.
 The setting, along with the blue folder bearing a seal, suggests that this is the presentation or receipt of a proclamation.

Portsmouth proclaims September Service Dog Awareness Month

At the city Council meeting on August 18th, Mayor Deaglan McEachern, the Mayor of Portsmouth, NH declared September as Service Dog Awareness month and Brendan Madden had the honor to accept it!

Whereas: September is National Service Dog Month, created to raise awareness and show appreciation for the extraordinary work carefully trained and certified service dogs do every day for the people in their care, to honor the dedicated individuals who train and care for these remarkable animals, and to celebrate the profound bond between service dogs and the individuals they serve; and

Whereas: Service dogs are specially trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. They can be trained to retrieve objects, assist with balance, give seizure or diabetic alerts, or assist those with psychiatric disabilities. They also serve veterans suffering from conditions including Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury allowing their humans to better manage their disabilities and live fuller lives; and

Whereas: These special dogs exemplify the amazing healing power of the human-animal bond. In addition to their skills, research shows that canine companions can provide physical benefits by increasing physical activity to improve cardiovascular health, lower cholesterol and decrease blood pressure while offering support and a sense of calm to balance the emotional and psychological stresses of daily life; and

Whereas: There are more than half a million service dogs in America working on behalf of their companions and their communities while more than 12 percent of the entire US population and more than 10 percent of our Portsmouth residents cope with some type of disability on a daily basis; and

Whereas: The City of Portsmouth recognizes the profound impact that service dogs have on the lives of adults and children with disabilities thanks to their unique ability to enhance the independence, mobility, and overall quality of life, opening doors for those they serve.

Now, therefore, I, Deaglan McEachern, Mayor of the City of Portsmouth, on behalf of the members of the City Council and the citizens of Portsmouth, do hereby proclaim September as National Service Dog Month in Portsmouth and call upon our residents and businesses to recognize and respect the important job they do in helping us live up to our motto of The City of the Open Door.

Given with my hand and the Seal of the City of Portsmouth,

(signed)
Deaglan McEachern, Mayor of Portsmouth

The image shows a gold embossed official seal with a serrated circular edge. Around the outer border, there is text that reads: “CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, N.H.” Inside the seal, there is a detailed illustration depicting buildings, a ship, and what appears to be a representation of Portsmouth’s maritime and industrial history. Attached to the bottom of the seal are two blue ribbon tails, giving it the appearance of an official government or ceremonial seal often used on proclamations or certificates. And signed by Deaglan McEachern