This measure would proclaim September 2026 as Service Dog Appreciation Month in California.

This measure would proclaim September 2026 as Service Dog Appreciation Month in California.

This measure would proclaim September 2026 as Service Dog Appreciation Month in California.

WHEREAS, Service dogs are extraordinary animals that enable their human companions to live their fullest lives; and

WHEREAS, There are approximately 500,000 service dogs in the United States; and

WHEREAS, It takes roughly 18 to 24 months to train a service dog; and

WHEREAS, Service dogs wear a harness or vest that identifies their role; and

WHEREAS, The training and testing to become a service dog is difficult, with only about one-half of the candidates succeeding in meeting the stringent standards; and

WHEREAS, California benefits from the assistance of K9 officers, search and rescue dogs, and many other service dogs that serve their communities; and

WHEREAS, Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for people in their careers and everyday lives, and they can be trained to retrieve objects, assist with balance, give seizure or diabetic alerts, or assist those with psychiatric disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Service dogs improve various aspects of the quality of life of people with physical or psychiatric disabilities or chronic health conditions, such as their psychosocial health, work- or school-life participation, life satisfaction, independence, and self esteem; and

WHEREAS, Service dogs also serve our nations wounded warriors suffering from conditions including post-traumatic stress disorders and traumatic brain injuries; and

WHEREAS, Studies have shown that these incredible animals offer great benefits to their owners, including reduced anxiety, lower blood pressure, and faster recovery from medical events; and

WHEREAS, Studies have shown that service dogs not only decrease the frequency of their owners medical episodes, such as hypoglycemia, but also positively impact their owners physical health, well being, and activity level; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, over 61,000,000 individuals live with disabilities, yet less than 1 percent have the assistance of service dogs; and

WHEREAS, Despite a significant need, the average wait time to obtain a service dog is about three years; and

WHEREAS, September is celebrated as National Service Dog Month each year to honor the contribution skilled K9 partners offer to their owners; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims the month of September 2026 as Service Dog Appreciation Month; and be it further

Resolved, That Californians are grateful for the service and dedication these loyal companions provide for their owners and communities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, Service dogs are extraordinary animals that enable their human companions to live their fullest lives; and

WHEREAS, There are approximately 500,000 service dogs in the United States; and

WHEREAS, It takes roughly 18 to 24 months to train a service dog; and

WHEREAS, Service dogs wear a harness or vest that identifies their role; and

WHEREAS, The training and testing to become a service dog is difficult, with only about one-half of the candidates succeeding in meeting the stringent standards; and

WHEREAS, California benefits from the assistance of K9 officers, search and rescue dogs, and many other service dogs that serve their communities; and

WHEREAS, Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for people in their careers and everyday lives, and they can be trained to retrieve objects, assist with balance, give seizure or diabetic alerts, or assist those with psychiatric disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Service dogs improve various aspects of the quality of life of people with physical or psychiatric disabilities or chronic health conditions, such as their psychosocial health, work- or school-life participation, life satisfaction, independence, and self esteem; and

WHEREAS, Service dogs also serve our nations wounded warriors suffering from conditions including post-traumatic stress disorders and traumatic brain injuries; and

WHEREAS, Studies have shown that these incredible animals offer great benefits to their owners, including reduced anxiety, lower blood pressure, and faster recovery from medical events; and

WHEREAS, Studies have shown that service dogs not only decrease the frequency of their owners medical episodes, such as hypoglycemia, but also positively impact their owners physical health, well being, and activity level; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, over 61,000,000 individuals live with disabilities, yet less than 1 percent have the assistance of service dogs; and

WHEREAS, Despite a significant need, the average wait time to obtain a service dog is about three years; and

WHEREAS, September is celebrated as National Service Dog Month each year to honor the contribution skilled K9 partners offer to their owners; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims the month of September 2026 as Service Dog Appreciation Month; and be it further

Resolved, That Californians are grateful for the service and dedication these loyal companions provide for their owners and communities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, Service dogs are extraordinary animals that enable their human companions to live their fullest lives; and

WHEREAS, There are approximately 500,000 service dogs in the United States; and

WHEREAS, It takes roughly 18 to 24 months to train a service dog; and

WHEREAS, Service dogs wear a harness or vest that identifies their role; and

WHEREAS, The training and testing to become a service dog is difficult, with only about one-half of the candidates succeeding in meeting the stringent standards; and

WHEREAS, California benefits from the assistance of K9 officers, search and rescue dogs, and many other service dogs that serve their communities; and

WHEREAS, Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for people in their careers and everyday lives, and they can be trained to retrieve objects, assist with balance, give seizure or diabetic alerts, or assist those with psychiatric disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Service dogs improve various aspects of the quality of life of people with physical or psychiatric disabilities or chronic health conditions, such as their psychosocial health, work- or school-life participation, life satisfaction, independence, and self esteem; and

WHEREAS, Service dogs also serve our nations wounded warriors suffering from conditions including post-traumatic stress disorders and traumatic brain injuries; and

WHEREAS, Studies have shown that these incredible animals offer great benefits to their owners, including reduced anxiety, lower blood pressure, and faster recovery from medical events; and

WHEREAS, Studies have shown that service dogs not only decrease the frequency of their owners medical episodes, such as hypoglycemia, but also positively impact their owners physical health, well being, and activity level; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, over 61,000,000 individuals live with disabilities, yet less than 1 percent have the assistance of service dogs; and

WHEREAS, Despite a significant need, the average wait time to obtain a service dog is about three years; and

WHEREAS, September is celebrated as National Service Dog Month each year to honor the contribution skilled K9 partners offer to their owners; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims the month of September 2026 as Service Dog Appreciation Month; and be it further

Resolved, That Californians are grateful for the service and dedication these loyal companions provide for their owners and communities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

Date of Hearing: August 24, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON

, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:

Author:() – As Ver:

SENATE VOTE:

SUBJECT:

SUMMARY: Proclaims the month of September 2026 as Service Dog Appreciation Month in California. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Service dogs are extraordinary animals that enable their human companions to live their fullest lives.
2. California benefits from the assistance of K-9 officers, search and rescue dogs, and many other service dogs that serve their communities.
3. Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for people in their careers and everyday lives. They can be trained to retrieve objects, assist with balance, give seizure or diabetic alerts, or assist those with psychiatric disabilities.
4. Service dogs also serve our nation’s wounded warriors suffering from conditions including post-traumatic stress disorders and traumatic brain injuries.
5. Studies have shown that these incredible animals offer great benefits to their owners, including reduced anxiety, lower blood pressure, and faster recovery from medical events.
6. September is celebrated as National Service Dog Month each year to honor the contribution skilled K-9 partners offer to their owners.

FISCAL EFFECT: This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by:

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: SCR 194

Author: Seyarto (R)

Introduced: 8/3/26

Vote: 21

SUBJECT: Service Dog Appreciation Month

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution proclaims September 2026 as Service Dog Appreciation Month in California.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Service dogs improve various aspects of the quality of life of people with physical or psychiatric disabilities or chronic health conditions, such as their psychosocial health, work- or school-life participation, life satisfaction, independence, and self-esteem.
2. Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for people in their careers and everyday lives, and they can be trained to retrieve objects, assist with balance, give seizure or diabetic alerts, or assist those with psychiatric disabilities.
3. The training and testing to become a service dog is difficult, with only about one-half of the candidates succeeding in meeting the stringent standards. In the United States, over 61,000,000 individuals live with disabilities, yet less than 1 percent have the assistance of service dogs. Despite a significant need, the average wait time to obtain a service dog is about three years.

This resolution expresses that Californians are grateful for the service and dedication these loyal companions provide for their owners and communities.

Related/Prior Legislation

SCR 77 (Seyarto, Resolution Chapter 147, Statutes of 2025)

SR 71 (Seyarto, 2024) – Adopted in the Senate.

SCR 60 (Seyarto, Resolution Chapter 159, Statutes of 2023)

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/11/26)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/11/26)

None received

Prepared by: Aizenia Randhawa / SFA / (916) 651-4171

8/12/26 14:03:21

**** END ****