Solis Proclaims April 11 National Pet Day and Therapy Appreciation Day in Los Angeles County
To mark the proclamation, Solis recognized the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Search and Rescue Team, including Capt. Michael Toepfer and K-9 Deacon; Peer Support Team’s Fire Capt. Jacob Windell and K-9 Echo; and Love on 4 Paws, with volunteer Cindy Naveira and Cooper.
Los Angeles, Calif. – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion authored by Chair Pro Tem and Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, which proclaims April 11, 2025 as National Pet Day and Therapy Dog Appreciation Day in Los Angeles County.
The National Institutes of Health states that pets may reduce stress, improve heart health, and even help children with emotional and social development. According to a poll by the American Psychiatric Association, 88% of pet owners consider their pets to be part of their families. Dogs, in particular, serve critical roles as working members of various sectors, including police, military, search and rescue, farming, and service/guide roles. Due to the mental health benefits of interacting with pets, trained therapy dogs visit hospitals, nursing homes, and schools to provide psychological and physiological therapy by offering comfort and joy. Therapy dogs have also been instrumental in helping Los Angeles County recover from the January wildfires, providing much-needed mental health support to both impacted residents and first responders.
At a time when animals continue to enter shelters in overwhelming numbers, it is important that Los Angeles County celebrates the joy and benefits pets and therapy dogs bring to residents’ lives and highlights the many adoptable animals in the County’s Animal Care and Control Centers that are waiting for a family and home of their own.
“Every day, we are reminded of the extraordinary joy, enrichment, and benefit pets bring to our lives,” said Chair Pro Tem Solis. “On National Pet Day, and National Therapy Dog Appreciation Day, we uplift the positive impacts of our pets on mental health and promote the adoptable pets and range of services available through our Los Angeles County animal care centers.”
The approved motion, in addition to proclaiming National Pet Day and Therapy Dog Appreciation Day in Los Angeles County, directs the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) and the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) to commemorate National Pet Day and National Therapy Dog Appreciation Day, highlight the positive impacts of pets on mental health, and raise awareness of County resources for pet adoption and services, such as backyard breeding policies, the Pets Are Family Program, and the Pet Pantry service. The motion also directs DACC to offer a discounted adoption promotion for pets weighing 35 pounds or more in the weeks leading up to and following April 11, 2025, and to promote pet adoptions during May, in conjunction with Mental Health Month events.
