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8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This joint resolution recognizes the benefits of therapy animals and encourages
11 organizations in Utah to welcome and engage with therapy animals.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 ▸ recognizes the benefits that therapy animals have on the lives of many Utahns; and
15 ▸ encourages organizations in Utah to welcome and engage with therapy animals.
16 Special Clauses:
17 None
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19 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
20 WHEREAS, a therapy animal is a domesticated animal that provides animal-assisted
21 interventions to an individual with whom the therapy animal visits to assist the individual to
22 achieve therapeutic gains and improved health and wellness;
23 WHEREAS, a therapy animal meets the accepted standards for client safety and animal
24 welfare when the therapy animal has a handler and the therapy animal and handler are trained,
25 tested, insured, evaluated on a regular basis, and registered by an organization that follows best
26 practices for animal-assisted interventions;
27 WHEREAS, a therapy animal provides physical, psychological, and emotional benefits;
28 WHEREAS, a therapy animal has no special rights of access, except in a facility where
29 the therapy animal is welcomed;
30 WHEREAS, therapy animals are currently welcomed, engaged with, promoted, and
31 enlisted for interventions in Utah's schools, hospitals, senior residential facilities, domestic
32 violence shelters, and juvenile courts; and
33 WHEREAS, Utahns of all backgrounds, ages, and needs have been helped by therapy
34 animals, including patients in recovery, individuals with intellectual disabilities, seniors living
35 with Alzheimer's, students with literacy challenges, veterans with PTSD, and those
36 approaching end of life:
37 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
38 recognizes and supports the contributions of therapy animals to the people of Utah and
39 celebrates the benefits of the human-animal bond on health and well being; and
40 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah encourages
41 organizations in Utah to welcome, engage with, promote, or enlist therapy animals who meet
42 accepted standards for client safety and animal welfare.