At the city Council meeting on September 2nd, Mayor Paul Callaghan, the Mayor of Rochester, NH declared September as Service Dog Awareness month and Brendan Madden was in attendance to accept it!

PROCLAMATION

National Service Dog Month

WHEREAS, We believe in the joyful, transformative power of the human-canine bond and inclusivity of all citizens; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, 64 million adults and children have a disability and only 16,000 service dogs from accredited training programs exist nationwide and the need is growing; and

WHEREAS, National Service Dog Month aims to educate our community about the benefits of service dogs and the laws protecting them; and

WHEREAS, The City of Rochester continues to work toward becoming an inclusive community in which all citizens, and their service dogs, are embraced.

NOW THEREFORE, in recognition of service dogs and the adults and children with disabilities in our community, I, Paul Callaghan, Mayor of Rochester, do hereby proclaim September 2025 to be National Service Dog Month in the City of Rochester.

I encourage all citizens to celebrate task-trained service dogs and be respectful of the rights afforded to the adults, children and veterans who lead more independent lives because of their assistance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and caused to be affixed the Seal of the City of Rochester this the 2nd Day of September in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-five.

Paul Callaghan
Mayor