House Resolution 935

Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) Introduced the Resolution, Along With 11 Bipartisan Co-Sponsors

H.Res.935 - Recognizing the roles and contributions of United States military and first responder service animals and their valiant human handlers for bravery and distinguished service in both war and peace, and acknowledging the importance of creating a process for honoring their valor and meritorious achievements. 

The United States House of Representatives recognized the roles and contributions of our country’s military and first responder service animals in a House of Representative resolution introduced on Friday, February 18th, 2022 in Washington, DC. The resolution acknowledges the importance of our animals and their valiant human handlers for bravery in war and creating a new process for honoring our U.S. animals’ valor and meritorious achievements.

Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) introduced the resolution along with 11 bipartisan original cosponsors. The Congresswoman attended the 2019 Inaugural Animals in War and Peace Medal of Bravery Ceremony and recognized the need to honor our United States animals who have made significant contributions to the peace and protection of our country that were officially recognized by the Quartermaster Corps on March 13, 1942. 

The Congressional Record link can be found here at Congess.gov. 

Since 1943, the United Kingdom has been the only country in the world to pay homage to animals with its international PDSA Dickin Medal, also known as “the Victoria Cross for Animals”. The United States does not currently have an official medal to honor and recognize animals that serve in war and peace for their acts of gallantry and bravery. There is increasing support for the process of a Medal of Bravery and a Distinguished Service Medal for animals and an annual medal ceremony to recognize such animals who have served valiantly since World War I.

There are presently 3,000 military working dogs in the United States and increasing demand for the military working dogs each year as a result of proven worth and success. Since September 11, 2002, Air Force security forces have trained approximately 500 military working dogs for the Department of Defense. There are an estimated 2,300 military working dogs deployed worldwide safeguarding military bases.

The United States Police Canine Association estimated that there are approximately 15,000 police canines working today. Additionally, there are over 2,000 certified search and rescue teams across the United States.

“I am humbled to introduce this resolution which recognizes those animals who have nobly and courageously served this country at home and around the world as military and police working animals and search and rescue canines,” said Congresswoman Roybal-Allard. “These animals and their handlers are true American heroes, and their sacrifices deserve to be recognized and honored.”

Members of Congress who joined Representative Roybal-Allard as original co-sponsors on this first bi-partisan House resolution include: Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), Julia Brownley (CA), Chris Pappas (NH), Charlie Crist (FL), Jamie Raskin (MD), Sanford Bishop (GA), Ted Lieu (CA), Gus Bilirakis (FL), Elaine Luria (VA), Dina Titus (NV), and Mike Quigley (IL).

Robin Hutton, President of Angels Without Wings, Inc., stated "As the champion for the Animals in War and Peace resolution, we salute Representative Roybal-Allard and her insight into the importance of recognizing our American animal heroes. Additionally, the Animals in War and Peace Board deeply appreciates the eleven Representatives by adding their names as original cosponsors supporting a process for honoring our brave animals and handlers in the United States." 

Six medals were awarded on March 9, 2022 by Members of Congress to six distinguished canines at the Second Animals in War and Peace Ceremony on Capitol Hill.  This resolution is the first step towards a Congressionally mandated award for our animal heroes. 

For more information and updates on the Resolution, contact: Mari Lou Livingood, (703) 297-5961, mariloulivingood@gmail.com; Robin Hutton, (805) 603-2174, waranimals@yahoo.com; Barbara Ross, bross@rosspr.com , (201) 236-1771.