SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 267
	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
	recognize the staff and volunteers of the Austin Dog Alliance for
	their commitment to improving lives in Central Texas; and
	WHEREAS, Since 2006, the Austin Dog Alliance has been
	promoting the health and wellness of Central Texas families and
	individuals through therapeutic programs that incorporate the
	powerful connection between dogs and humans; and
	WHEREAS, Studies show that physical contact with pets has
	many benefits for humans, including lowered blood pressure,
	improved survival rates for heart attack victims, and the release
	of pain-relieving endorphins in the body; the Austin Dog Alliance
	facilitates a range of specialized programs that utilize these
	benefits to meet the varying needs of clients; and
	WHEREAS, Pet therapy, or animal-assisted therapy, connects
	trained animals and handlers with patients to help them meet
	specific physical, cognitive, and emotional goals; Bow Wow
	Reading Dogs help at-risk students learn to read by serving as
	nonjudgmental listeners while the students read aloud; the
	Hounds for Heroes initiative provides veterans with specially
	trained service dogs who perform specific tasks to help their
	human partners lead more normal lives; Special Dogs for Special
	Needs are selected from local shelters and trained as emotional
	support dogs or service dogs for people with disabilities; the
	S+CORE program provides vocational training in dog handling and
	care to young adults with disabilities and helps these students
	with job placement; and
	WHEREAS, Through its many programs of service, the Austin
	Dog Alliance has made a difference in the lives of countless
	Texans, and the volunteers and staff of the organization are
	indeed deserving of recognition for their exemplary work on
	behalf of their fellow citizens; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
	Legislature, hereby commend all those associated with the Austin
	Dog Alliance for their outstanding contributions to the
	community and extend to them best wishes for continued success;
	and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
	the alliance as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
	Schwertner
		________________________________
		President of the Senate
		I hereby certify that the
		above Resolution was adopted by
		the Senate on February 22, 2017.
		________________________________
		Secretary of the Senate
		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate