At the city Council meeting on August 187h, Mayor Deaglan McEachern, the Mayor of Portsmouth, NH declared September as Service Dog Awareness month and Brendan Madden had the honor to accept it!
The Council Chambers
City Hall
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Proclamation
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. Many also serve veterans living with Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury, helping them better manage their disabilities and live fuller lives; and
Whereas:
These special dogs exemplify the healing power of the human-animal bond. Research shows canine companions can improve cardiovascular health, lower cholesterol, and decrease blood pressure, while offering support and a sense of calm that helps 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. 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 service dogs 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,
on this 17th d[ay]…
