Honoring the crucial role of service animals for disabled veterans and celebrating the positive influence of pets in the U.S. is at the core of the recent Pet Night on Capitol Hill.
The annual event, hosted by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), the Pet Food Institute (PFI), and the Pet Advocacy Network brought together Members of Congress, congressional staff, and leaders in the pet care community to share programs and policies that protect human and animal well-being.
During the ceremony, veterans and their service dogs were honored for their service to the country. A replica of the resin casting of “Sully,” President George H.W. Bush’s service dog, created by Susan Bahary, was showcased by the National Service Dog Memorial. The sculpture will be part of the permanent collection at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Tex.
The Animal Health Institute (AHI) honored the winners of the Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill contest, now in its sixteenth year, recognizing the most adorable animals belonging to Members of Congress and their staff.
HABRI’s “Human Animal Bond Leadership Award” was conferred upon Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY-24) and Rep. Deborah Ross (NC-02) for their sponsorship of the People and Animals Well-being (PAW) Act, a newly introduced bill that would allow people to use up to $1,000 of their Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for veterinary care or a pet health insurance policy for their pets. The bill would impose no limit on veterinary care for service animals, providing even more support for people with disabilities, including our nation’s veterans.
Pet Night is part of Pet Week on Capitol Hill, a week-long series of virtual programming and in-person visits on pet care and animal and human health. For more information, visit the Pet Night website.